Advanced Credit Policy

Advanced Credit Using the ACT

The university will award college credit for an ACT score of 28 or higher in English or Mathematics.

Advanced Credit Using the SAT

For tests taken after February 2005 and before March 2016 (SAT), the university will award college credit for a score of 670 or higher in Critical Reading or Mathematics. For tests taken after March 2016 (SAT16), the university will award college credit for a score of 710 or higher in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or Math.

Other Tests for Advanced Credit

Students may contact the testing coordinator to obtain further information regarding these tests:

• Advanced Placement (AP)–Examinations. Students who are enrolled in high school honors classes offering the advanced placement program should consult with their counselors about registering for advanced placement examinations given in May each year. The university will award college credit for a minimum score of 3 on most AP exams.
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)–The testing office offers CLEP testing by appointment each semester. Students may also take CLEP tests at any other testing center and request their scores be sent to the university.
• End of Course (EOC) Examinations–Students who possess sufficient knowledge in an academic area and wish to challenge a course for credit should contact the Testing Coordinator for information. Students may not take a challenge exam in a course that is creditable by CLEP. The university reserves the right to determine which courses may be challenged. Prerequisites for the course to be challenged must be met before testing will be approved. Regulations on credit by examination apply to end-of-course examinations.
• Armed Forces Credit–The university will evaluate for credit appropriate educational experience in the armed services as recommended by the American Council for Education (ACE).

Applicability of Advanced Credit to Degree Program

Students should consult with the appropriate department chair or dean about the applicability of advanced credit to their graduation requirements before seeking credit.

Miscellaneous Information on Advanced Credit

• CLEP, EOC, and DSST exams have fees associated with testing as well as administrative fees.  Information about the cost of each exam, administrative fees that may apply, and additional information testers need to be aware of prior to testing is available through LCU Academic Testing.
• The maximum credit toward graduation that may be earned by advanced credit is 45 semester hours. The university reserves the right to evaluate tests for duplication and to define which courses available for advanced credit, the specific score required, and the credit awarded.
• Course credit by examination may not be used to satisfy the residence requirement for a bachelor's degree.
• Credit earned by advanced credit is marked TR on the transcript and will not count toward the computation of grade point averages. The university does not guarantee credit earned by advanced credit will transfer to another institution.
• Students must wait three months or longer before repeating advance credit examinations.
• Advanced credit will not be granted if the course is a prerequisite or is not as academically advanced as a course already completed.
• Advanced credit is not available for courses in which students are enrolled. Enrollment is defined as being on the class roll after the 12th day of a long term or after the 3rd day of a short term.
• Advanced credit will not be granted if students have previously taken the course or subject matter at any college.

Minimum Scores Required to Earn Advanced Credit

ACT–American College Testing Program–Exam is taken prior to admission to the university. Official score report is required to award credit.

SAT taken after February 2005 and before March 2016. Exam must be taken prior to admission to the university. Official score report is required to award credit.

SAT taken after March 2016. Exam must be taken prior to admission to the university. Official score report is required to award credit.

AP–Advanced Placement Program–College Entrance Examination Board: Courses and exams are taken in high school. Official transcripts are required from CEEB to award credit.

CLEP–College Level Examination Program–College Entrance Examination Board: Exams may be taken at any university. Official transcript from CEEB are required to award CLEP credit.

IB–International Baccalaureate: An IB diploma or certificate must be awarded from an IB member school. Official transcripts from IBO are required to receive credit. C: certificate awarded, D: diploma awarded, S: standard level, H: higher level.