Credit by Examination

Students who believe they already possess the knowledge and/or skills taught in any college-level course offered by VC may challenge that course by examination. Credit earned by examination may be applied toward meeting the requirements of a certificate or an associate degree at VC. Credit by examination awarded to students to meet VC graduation requirements is no guarantee that such credit will transfer to other institutions. Credit earned by examination; other than Vernon College Departmental Challenge Exams, may not be used to meet the residence requirement. Successful performance on an examination is recorded on a student’s transcript as credit by that particular examination. No annotation of unsuccessful performance on a credit by examination testing instrument is made on the student’s permanent record. For more detailed information, students should contact a counselor and/or review the information in the Non-Traditional Education brochure. Listed below are the means by which a student may earn course credit by examination.

Departmental Challenge Examinations. For all VC college-level courses which cannot be challenged through standardized examinations, departmental challenge examinations will be constructed by the appropriate faculty specialists as students apply to challenge such courses. These examinations are given during the fall and spring semesters. A $35.00 per semester hour testing fee is charged for each departmental challenge exam given. Students may repeat a departmental challenge exam only after a six month waiting period.

Advanced Placement Program (AP). The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a cooperative education endeavor of secondary schools, colleges, and the College Board of the Educational Testing Service. The examinations are given each year at selected high schools throughout the nation. VC will accept AP credit, with appropriate scores, toward selected courses.

Examinations  Required Scores  Vernon College Equivalent Courses
Biology   3,4,5  BIOL 1411; BIOL 1413
Chemistry   3,4,5  CHEM 1411; CHEM 1412
Macroeconomics   3,4,5  ECON 2301
Microeconomics   3,4,5  ECON 2302
English Lang/Composition   3,4,5  ENGL 1301
English Lit/Composition   3,4,5  ENGL 1302
Government -U.S.   3,4,5  GOVT 2305
American History   3,4,5  HIST 1301; HIST 1302
European History   3,4,5  HIST 2311; HIST 2312
Calculus AB   3,4,5  MATH 2413
Calculus BC   3,4,5  MATH 2413; MATH 2414
Physics - Mechanics   3,4,5  PHYS 1401
Electricity & Magnetism   3,4,5  PHYS 1402
Psychology   3,4,5  PSYC 2301
Spanish - Level 3  3,4,5   SPAN 1411; SPAN 1412
Statistics   3,4,5  MATH 1342

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national testing program administered by the Educational Testing Service. VC is a test center for CLEP examinations, and the examinations are given to anyone who wishes to take them. However, not all CLEP examinations are accepted for credit at VC. CLEP is a computerized test and administered by appointment only. Examinees are responsible for contacting each college or university they plan to attend to ensure that CLEP credit is accepted. Additional score reports are available through the Educational Testing Service.

Subject Examination Required Score Vernon College Equivalent Courses
Biology 50 BIOL 1408;
BIOL 1409
College Composition
w/Essay
50 ENGL 1301
English Literature 50 ENGL 2322;
ENGL 2323
American Literature 50 ENGL 2327;
ENGL 2328
College Algebra 50 MATH 1314
College Mathematics 50 MATH 1332
Chemistry 50 CHEM 1411;
CHEM 1412
Spanish, Level 1 63 SPAN 1411;
SPAN 1412
American Government 50 GOVT 2305
History of the United States I
(Early Colonization to 1877)
50 HIST 1301
History of the United States II
(1865 to Present)
50 HIST 1302
Macroeconomics 50 ECON 2301
Microeconomics 50 ECON 2302
Psychology, Introductory 50 PSYC 2301
Sociology, Introductory 50 SOCI 1301
Human Growth & Development 50 PSYC 2314
Business Law, Introductory 50 BUSI 2301
Financial Accounting 50 ACCT 2401
Information Systems &
Computer Applications
50 COSC 1301
Management, Principles of 50 BMGT 1327
Marketing, Principles 50 MRKG 1311

International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO): The International Baccalaureate Organization is a college preparatory program recognized for its challenging curriculum. Vernon College values the organization’s efforts. In accordance with S.B. 111, students who have earned an IB diploma can expect to receive at least 24 hours of college credit. Non-traditional course credit is recorded to transcripts after the completion of six (6) hours of Vernon College coursework. Where applicable, IB Higher and Standard exam scores will earn selected Vernon College course credits. Within their first academic year, IB students are responsible for notifying the College Admissions and Records Office of their IB status and scores. Prior to enrollment, all IB students must meet TSI (Texas Success Initiative) guidelines for placement.

Excelsior College Examination Program (ECEP). Excelsior College sponsors the ECEP (formerly Regents College). The Educational Service Center on Sheppard Air Force Base provides these tests for military personnel. VC is not a testing center for ECEP.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Support (DANTES). DANTES subject standardized tests are available to members of the military and accepted for credit toward courses at VC. The passing score is the American Council on Education (ACE) recommended score as shown on the transcript of the test results. The Educational Service Center on Sheppard Air Force Base provides these tests for military personnel. VC is not a testing center for DANTES.