Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 General Catalog 
    
2010-2011 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Credit by Examination and Advanced Coursework



Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement examinations are offered at the high school level only. A number of examination areas are available; not all high schools offer all available AP examinations. Generally, the major areas chosen include English, American history, mathematics, chemistry, and physics.

Examinations are scored on a one-to-five scale. Students may receive 3 to 10 credits for a composite score of 3, 4, or 5 on any Advanced Placement examination. Earned credits may be applied toward the University Studies requirements, and may also be accepted as equivalent to specific courses. This information is summarized below.

AP Score USU Credits Granted  
0, 1, or 2 0  
3, 4, or 5 3 to 10  


Other institutions have policies differing from those of USU regarding AP scores and credits granted for those scores. For transfer students with less than an associate degree, AP credit posted to another institution’s transcript is reevaluated based on USU’s standard.

If, prior to (or after) taking an AP examination, a student receives credit for any coursework equivalent to the subject matter of an AP examination, the number of credits earned for the course will be deducted from the credits awarded for the examination.

To ensure that AP credits will be posted to their transcripts, students are responsible to submit their AP scores to the Admissions Office, Taggart Student Center 102. Efficient posting of AP credits helps advisors counsel students about requirements.

For further information regarding credits granted for AP examinations, contact the Registrar’s Office, (435) 797-1081.

AP Tests Taken Prior to Fall 2007

For historical data on how credits were accepted prior to Fall 2007, contact the Registrar’s Office at (435) 797-1081.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Allocation

AP Test Score Credits USU Credit Awarded
Art History 3-4 6 [ARTH 2710  (BHU) (3) or ARTH 2720  (BHU) (3)] + 3 elective credits
  5 6 ARTH 2710  (BHU) (3) + ARTH 2720  (BHU) (3)
Biology 3-5 6 3 (BLS) credits + 3 elective credits
Calculus AB 3 6 3 (QL) credits + 3 elective credits
  4-5 6 MATH 1210  (QL) (4) + 2 elective credits
Calculus BC 3-4 6 MATH 1210  (QL) (4) + 2 elective credits
  5 8 MATH 1210  (QL) (4) + MATH 1220  (QL) (4)
Chemistry 3-4 6 CHEM 1210  (4) + 2 (BPS) credits* (satisfies BPS requirement)
  3-4 6 CHEM 1110  (BPS) (4) + 2 elective credits or Placement*
  5 8 CHEM 1210  (4) + CHEM 1220  (BPS) (4)
Chinese Language & Culture 3-5 10 CHIN 1010  (5) + CHIN 1020  (5)
Computer Science A 3-5 3 3 elective credits
Computer Science AB 3-5 6 CS 3410  (DSC/QI) (3) + 3 elective credits
English Language 3-5 6 3 (CL1) credits + 3 elective credits
English Literature 3-5 6 3 (BHU) credits + 3 (CL1) credits
Environmental Science 3-5 3 3 (BLS) credits
European History 3-5 6 HIST 1110  (BHU) (3) + 3 elective credits
French Language 3-5 8 FREN 1010  (4) + FREN 1020  (4)
French Literature 3-5 6 6 elective credits
German Language 3-5 8 GERM 1010  (4) + GERM 1020  (4)
Government & Politics: Comparative 3-5 3 POLS 2200  (BSS) (3)
Government & Politics: United States 3-5 3 POLS 1100  (BAI) (3)
Human Geography 3-5 3 GEOG 1400  (BSS) (3)
Italian Language & Culture 3-5 8 ITAL 1010  (4) + ITAL 1020  (4)
Japanese Language & Culture 3-5 10 JAPN 1010  (5) + JAPN 1020  (5)
Latin Literature 3-4 6 LATN 1010  (5) + 1 elective credit
  5 10 LATN 1010  (5) + LATN 1020  (5)
Latin: Vergil 3-4 6 LATN 1010  (5) + 1 elective credit
  5 10 LATN 1010  (5) + LATN 1020  (5)
Macroeconomics 3-5 3 ECN 1500  (BAI) (3)
Microeconomics 3-5 3 APEC 2010 /ECN 2010  (BSS) (3)
Music Theory 3-5 6 MUSC 1010  (BCA) (3) + 3 elective credits
Physics B 3 6 3 (BPS) credits + 3 elective credits
  4-5 6 PHYS 2110  (4)** or PHYS 2210  (QI) (4)** + 2 (BPS) credits (satisfies BPS requirement)
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 3 3 3 (BPS) credits
  4-5 4 PHYS 2220  (BPS/QI) (4)
Physics C: Mechanics 3-5 4 PHYS 2210  (QI) (4)
Psychology 3-5 3 PSY 1010  (BSS) (3)
Spanish Language 3-5 8 SPAN 1010  (4) + SPAN 1020  (4)
Spanish Literature 3-5 6 6 elective credits
Statistics 3-5 3 STAT 2000  (QI) (3)
Studio Art: Drawing 3-5 6 3 (BCA) credits + 3 elective credits
Studio Art: 2-D Design 3-5 6 3 (BCA) credits + 3 elective credits
Studio Art: 3-D Design 3-5 6 3 (BCA) credits + 3 elective credits
United States History 3-5 6 HIST 1700  (BAI) (3) + 3 elective credits
World History 3-5 6 HIST 1510  (BHU) (3) + 3 elective credits

*The student/advisor may choose the CHEM 1110  or CHEM 1210  track according to what best suits the student’s major.
**The student/advisor may choose the PHYS 2110  or PHYS 2210  track according to what best suits the student’s major.

 
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The CLEP examinations were designed for students who wish to utilize previous knowledge and experience in lieu of required coursework. CLEP is a national program of credit-by-examination, allowing students to obtain recognition for college-level achievement. This privilege is intended to measure information and training gained from practical experience that may be considered the equivalent of the experience and training received by students in an organized course given at the University.

Credits may be acquired through the CLEP examinations. These credits may be used to fill General Education Requirements and may also be accepted as equivalent to specific courses. Students interested in taking a CLEP exam should contact the University Testing Services Office, University Inn 115.

Individual departments and/or colleges may specify the exact courses required to fill their requirements and may require more than the minimum General Education requirements. Some departments and colleges require specific coursework for General Education, which the CLEP exams may not satisfy.

If, prior to (or after) taking a CLEP examination, a student receives credit (including AP credit) for any coursework equivalent to the subject matter of a CLEP examination, the credits earned for the course will be deducted from the credits awarded for the examination.

A student is not allowed to take and receive academic credit for a CLEP examination after he or she has completed an equivalent or more advanced course within that subject matter. Any exceptions must be approved by a student’s academic college.

USU will accept a maximum of 30 total credits from CLEP, DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST), and cooperative education/internship credit combined.

Other institutions have policies differing from those of USU regarding CLEP scores and credits granted for those scores. For transfer students with less than an associate degree, CLEP credit posted to another institution’s transcript is reevaluated based on USU’s standard.

CLEP Tests Taken Prior to Fall 2001

In Fall 2001, CLEP began using computer-based testing. The results of the computer-based tests are somewhat different for most of the exams. For historical data on how credits were accepted prior to Fall 2001, contact the Office of University Advising at (435) 797-3373.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit Allocation

CLEP Test  Min. Score  Credits USU Credit Awarded
American Government  60  3 3 (BAI) credits
American Literature  50  3 ENGL 2160  (3)
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature  52  3 ENGL 2200  (BHU) (3)
Biology  50  3 BIOL 1010  (BLS) (3)
Calculus  50  3 3 (QL) credits
Chemistry  –  – No credit awarded
College Algebra  50  3 3 (QL) credits
College Mathematics  –  – No credit awarded
English Composition  50  3 3 (CL1) credits
English Literature  50  3 ENGL 2140  (3)
Financial Accounting  –  – No credit awarded
French Language  –  – No credit awarded
Freshman College Composition  53  3 3 (CL1) credits
German Language  –  – No credit awarded
History of the U.S. I: Early to 1877  50  3 HIST 2700  (BAI) (3)
History of the U.S. II: 1865 to Present  50  3 HIST 2710  (BAI) (3)
Human Growth and Development  53  3 PSY 1100  (3)
Humanities  50  3 3 elective credits
Information Sys. & Computer Appl.  –  – No credit awarded
Introduction to Educational Psychology  53  2 PSY 3660  (2)*
Introductory Business Law  62  3 MGT 2050  (3)
Introductory Psychology  55  3 PSY 1010  (BSS) (3)
Introductory Sociology  55  3 SOC 1010  (BSS) (3)
Natural Sciences  50  3 3 elective credits
Precalculus  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Accounting  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Macroeconomics  53  3 ECN 1500  (BAI) (3)
Principles of Management  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Marketing  62  3 MGT 3500  (3)
Principles of Microeconomics  54  3 APEC 2010 /ECN 2010  (BSS) (3)
Social Sciences and History  50  3 3 elective credits
Spanish Language  –  – No credit awarded
Trigonometry  –  – No credit awarded
West. Civ. I: Ancient Near East to 1648  50  3 HIST 1100  (BHU) (3)
West. Civ. II: 1648 to the Present  50  3 HIST 1100  (BHU) (3)
*Students who plan to use PSY 3660  for teacher licensure should contact the Graduation, Educator Licensing, and Accreditation Office in Education 103, phone (435) 797-1443, prior to making arrangements for the examination.


DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

DSSTs provide an opportunity for people to obtain college credit for what they have learned in nontraditional ways.

Designed originally for the military, DSSTs are available to civilian students and adult learners as well. The DSST program is used by colleges and universities to award college credit to those who demonstrate that they have knowledge comparable to someone who completed a classroom course in the subject.

Credits may be acquired through the DSST examinations. These credits may be used to fill General Education Requirements, and may also be accepted as equivalent to specific courses.

Individual departments and/or colleges may specify the exact courses required to fill their requirements and may require more than the minimum General Education requirements. Some departments and colleges require specific coursework for General Education, which the DSST exams may not satisfy.

If, prior to (or after) taking a DSST examination, a student receives credit (including AP credit) for any coursework equivalent to the subject matter of a DSST examination, the number of credits earned for the course will be deducted from the credits awarded for the examination.

USU will accept a maximum of 30 total credits from CLEP, DSST, and cooperative education/internship credit combined.

Other institutions have policies differing from those of USU regarding DSST scores and credits granted for those scores. For transfer students with less than an associate degree, DSST credit posted to another institution’s transcript is reevaluated based on USU’s standard.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) Credit Allocation

DSST Test Min. Score Credits USU Credit Awarded
Art of the Western World 48 No credit awarded
Astronomy 48 3 PHYS 1040  (BPS) (3)
Business Law II  – No credit awarded
Business Mathematics 48  3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Civil War and Reconstruction 47  3 HIST 3750  (3)
Criminal Justice  –  – No credit awarded
Drug and Alcohol Abuse  49  3 HEP 3000  (3)
Environment and Humanity  46  3 NR 1010  (BSS) (3)
Ethics in America  –  – No credit awarded
Foundations of Education  –  – No credit awarded
Fundamentals of College Algebra  47  3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Fundamentals of Counseling  45  – No credit awarded
General Anthropology  47  – No credit awarded
Here’s to Your Health  48  2 HEP 2500  (2)
History of the Vietnam War  44  3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Human Resource Management  –  – No credit awarded
Human/Cultural Geography  48  3 GEOG 1400  (BSS) (3)
Introduction to Business  54  3 MGT 1350  (3)
Introduction to Computing  50  3 CS 1030  (BPS) (3)
Introduction to Law Enforcement  –  – No credit awarded
Introduction to the Modern Middle East  47  3 HIST 3410  (3)
Introduction to World Religions  48  3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Lifespan Development Psychology  51  3 PSY 1100  (3)
Management Information Systems  46  3 BUS 3100  (DSS) (3)
Money and Banking  –  – No credit awarded
Organizational Behavior  –  – No credit awarded
Personal Finance  59  3 FCHD 3350  (DSS) (3)
Physical Geology  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Finance  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Financial Accounting  –  – No credit awarded
Principles of Physical Science I  47  3 PHYS 1100  (BPS) (3) or
   47  4 PHYS 1200  (BPS) (4)
Principles of Public Speaking  47  3 SPCH 1020  (CI) (3)
Principles of Statistics  48  3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Principles of Supervision No credit awarded
Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union 45 3 HIST 3330  (3)
Technical Writing 46 3 3 lower-division general elective credits
Western Europe Since 1945 45 3 3 lower-division general elective credits

 
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

The IBO is a nonprofit educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

It grew out of international schools’ efforts to establish a common curriculum and university entry credential. The schools were also motivated by an idealistic vision. They hoped that critical thinking and exposure to a variety of points of view would encourage intercultural understanding by young people.

They concentrated on the last two years of school before university studies in order to build a curriculum that would lead to what they called a “baccalaureate,” administered in any country and recognized by universities everywhere.

USU recognizes the International Baccalaureate program. Students who enter with International Baccalaureate credit are awarded admission to the Honors Program. Students who present an International Baccalaureate diploma will be awarded a maximum of 30 credits. These credits will waive the appropriate Breadth and Communications Literacy requirements, but students will still be required to complete the Quantitative Literacy and Computer and Information Literacy requirements, unless their individual scores on IB exams waive those requirements. Each student’s transcript will be evaluated individually, based on the courses he or she has completed.

Students who have not completed the International Baccalaureate diploma may receive 3 or more credits for scores of 4 to 7 on standard- or higher-level exams (as shown below), up to a maximum of 30 credits.

Individual departments and/or colleges may specify the exact courses required to fill their requirements and may require more than the minimum General Education requirements. Some departments and colleges require specific  coursework for General Education, which the IBO exams may not satisfy.

If, prior to (or after) taking an IBO examination, a student receives credit (including AP credit) for any coursework equivalent to the subject matter of an IBO examination, the credits earned for the course will be deducted from the credits awarded for the examination.

Other institutions have policies differing from those of USU regarding IBO scores and credits granted for those scores. For transfer students with less than an associate degree, IBO credit posted to another institution’s transcript is reevaluated based on USU’s standard.

International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Credit Allocation

IBO Test Score1 Credits USU Credit Awarded
Biology  4-7 SL  3 3 (BLS) credits
Biology  4-7 HL  6 3 (BLS) credits + 3 elective credits
Business & Management  4-7 SL  3 3 elective credits
Business & Management  4-7 HL  6 6 elective credits
Chemistry  4-5 HL  6 CHEM 1110  (BPS) (4) + 2 elective credits2 or CHEM 1210  (4) + 2 (BPS) credits2
Computer Science  4-7 SL  3 CS 3410  (DSC/QI) (3)
Computer Science  4-7 HL  3 CS 3410  (DSC/QI) (3)
Economics  4-7 SL  3 ECN 1500  (BAI) (3)
Economics  4-7 HL  6 ECN 1500  (BAI) (3) +APEC 2010 /ECN 2010  (BSS) (3)
English A1  4-7 SL  3 3 (CL1) credits
English A1  4-7 HL  6 3 (CL1) credits + 3 (CL2) credits
French B  4-7 SL  8 FREN 1010  (4) + FREN 1020  (4)
French B  5-7 HL  8 FREN 2010  (4) + FREN 2020  (4)
Geography  5-7 HL  6 GEOG 1000  (BPS) (3) + GEOG 1400  (BSS) (3)
German  4-7 SL  8 GERM 1010  (4) + GERM 1020  (4)
German  5-7 HL  8 GERM 2010  (4) + GERM 2020  (4)
History—European  5-7 HL  6 3 (BHU) credits + 3 elective credits
History—Islamic  5-7 HL  6 3 (BHU) credits + 3 elective credits
History of the Americas  5-7 HL  6 3 (BHU) credits + 3 elective credits
Mathematics  4-7 HL  6 MATH 1210  (QL) (4) + 2 elective credits
Music  4-7 SL  3 MUSC 1010  (BCA) (3)
Music  4-7 HL  3 MUSC 1010  (BCA) (3)
Philosophy  4-7 SL  3 PHIL 1000  (BHU) (3)
Philosophy  4-7 HL  3 PHIL 1000  (BHU) (3)
Physics  4-7 SL  3 3 (BPS) credits
Physics  4 HL  4 PHYS 2120  (BPS) (4) or PHYS 2210  (QI) (4)
Physics  5-7 HL  8 PHYS 2120  (BPS) (4) + PHYS 2210  (QI) (4)
Psychology  4-7 SL  3 PSY 1010  (BSS) (3)
Psychology  4-7 HL  6 PSY 1010  (BSS) (3) + 3 elective credits
Social & Cultural Anthropology  4-7 SL  3 ANTH 1010  (BSS) (3)
Social & Cultural Anthropology  5-7 HL  6 ANTH 1010  (BSS) (3) + 3 elective credits
Spanish  4-7 SL  8 SPAN 1010  (4) + SPAN 1020  (4)
Spanish  5-7 HL  8 SPAN 2010  (4) + SPAN 2020  (4)
Theatre Arts  5-7 HL  6 THEA 1013  (BCA) (3) + THEA 1713  (3)
Visual Arts  4-7 SL  3 3 (BCA) credits
Visual Arts  4-7 HL  3 3 (BCA) credits
1Standard-level scores are followed by SL. Higher-level scores are followed by HL. If no standard-level score is shown for a particular test, then no USU credits are granted for a standard-level score in that area.
2The student or advisor may choose the CHEM 1110  or CHEM 1210  track, according to what best suits the student’s major.

 
Placement Tests

Following is a list of areas offering placement tests.

English

ACT test scores may be used as a placement tool for recommending the level of courses to be taken.

An ACT English score of 29 or higher, or an SAT Verbal score of 640 or higher, will waive ENGL 1010  and qualify a student for placement in ENGL 2010  after the student has earned 30 credits. Students with an English ACT score of 16 or lower will be required to take ENGL 0010 .

Mathematics and Statistics

ACT or SAT mathematics section scores obtained within the prerequisite acceptability time limit (one calendar year or three successive semesters including summer semester), along with other pertinent information (high school coursework, etc.), are used as a basis for placing incoming freshmen in proper mathematics or statistics courses. Students wanting to obtain approval for registration in the mathematics and statistics courses listed below or with questions about related issues should go to the Drop-in Advisement Office (Lund 201) in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Information about hours for advisement is available by phone at (435) 797-0268 or on the Department of Mathematics and Statistics undergraduate Web pages (http://www.math.usu.edu/).

Placement in Mathematics and Statistics Courses

Course Math ACT Score Math SAT Score
MATH 1030 23 or higher 540 or higher
MATH 1050  23 or higher 540 or higher
MATH 1060  23 or higher 540 or higher
MATH 1100  25 or higher 580 or higher
MATH 2020  25 or higher 580 or higher
MATH 1210  27 or higher 620 or higher


To qualify for fall semester enrollment in the above courses, students must have met a prerequisite after August 15 of the previous year. To qualify for spring semester enrollment in the above courses, students must have met a prerequisite after January 1 of the previous year. To qualify for summer semester enrollment in the above courses, students must must have met a prerequisite after June 1 of the previous year.

Regardless of any previous record, students with an ACT mathematics score of less than 23 are required to take the Math Placement Test administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In addition, students who do not meet the prerequisite acceptability time limit requirement must take the Math Placement Test. The scores for placement in MATH 1010  and STAT 1040  should be used as an indication of where a student should be placed. The fee for taking the Math Placement Test is $10, and students may take the test as required. The exams will be given at specified times in Geology 405 or in Geology 310. Students with special circumstances will be able to take the Math Placement Test in Lund Hall.

The Math Placement Test is administered online using an Internet browser. Students will be advised based on the results obtained on the Math Placement Test. Students may choose to enroll in a one-week math refresher course offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The fee for this course is $100 and includes the fee for taking the Math Placement Test at the beginning of the course and again at the end of the course. Refresher courses will be offered at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, either during the week before the semester begins or during the first week of classes (based on when the semester begins).

TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for international students (from countries in which English is not the official language) for admission to the University. It is not used for granting credit nor for waiver of the communications literacy requirement. International undergraduate students are required to complete the Intensive English program unless they receive a score of at least 500 paper/pencil or at least 61 iBT (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL examination, a Michigan score of 80 or higher, or a 5.0 or higher on the IELTS examination. Note: The minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores acceptable for undergraduate students entering USU during the 2010-2011 academic year will be raised to 525 paper/pencil, iBT 71, and IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 on each sub-scale).

Languages

Where basic skills in a language have been acquired by means other than college courses, up to 16 lower-division credits may be earned by special examination.

Students with skills in a language other than those offered by the department may earn up to 16 pass/fail credits by successfully performing on a special Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication Department examination. However, these examinations are no longer offered at USU. Interested students must make arrangements to take one of these exams at Brigham Young University.

Students with skills in a language that is offered by the Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication Department may earn credit by successfully performing on an examination or by successfully completing an upper-division (3000-level or above) language course with a grade of B or better. Students should contact the Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication Department in Main 204, (435) 797-1209.

Credit by Departmental Examination

Matriculated students may challenge a course for credit by taking a departmental examination. Departments will determine if a course is appropriate for challenge; students should contact the instructor and/or department. If a challenge exam is available, the instructor should advise the student as to whether he or she has a reasonable chance of passing. The examination will survey knowledge of the course content and may include papers, projects, portfolios, etc.

Students challenging a course for which they are registered must do so within the first two weeks of the course. Students not registered will be required to pay a course-specific examination fee. Students who take a departmental examination will receive the exam grade posted to their transcript for that course. Credits earned through departmental examination can be used to meet the minimum USU course requirement.

Credit by Advanced Coursework (Language Credits)

Students who are proficient in a foreign language offered by Utah State University may earn lower-division credit through successfully passing a more advanced course. Applications for these credits should be made in the Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication. Students will be required to pay a posting fee.

Students who receive credit by advanced coursework will receive a grade posted to their transcript, with a designation that it was earned by advanced coursework. Credits earned through this option cannot be used to meet the minimum USU course requirement and are treated as transfer work.