Advising
Credit by Exam: summary

Recognizing that students may have background in particular academic areas, the faculty has left it to each department to decide if it is possible for students to earn credit by examination. While the opportunities are quite limited, the amount and type of credit in any area is determined by the academic department(s) in which a student feels qualified to seek credit by examination. Credit earned by examination is out-of-residence credit.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations

College Level Examination Program offers general and subject examinations that can be used to gain college credit. The assumption is that the exams measure learning or knowledge gained through experiences outside of the traditional classroom. The faculty at U of M will not accept any of the GENERAL EXAMS.

Please note that the U-M is NOT a testing center for any CLEP exams.

Advanced Placement *

Students may receive credit for Advanced Placement exams they complete in High School. Policies governing AP credits vary from department to department. In some cases a score of 3 or better on the AP exam may be enough to receive credit. In other cases, a 4 or better is required on the exam. In still other cases students need to take an additional course or to meet with a concentration advisor in order to receive credit. As a result, it is essential that you discuss AP credits with your Academic Advisor at orientation.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions generally awards credit for I.B. higher level examinations passed with scores of 5 (or in some subjects, 4) or above.

Ordinary level (O-level) credit

The University of Michigan does not award college credit for O-Level exams.

Advanced Level (A-level) credit

Students who are pursuing or who have completed A-level exams will generally be awarded advanced standing ranging between 6 and 10 credit hours for certain advanced or principal level examinations completed with a grade of D or better. Three to five credits may be awarded for certain A/S exams with an acceptable grade.

Your transfer credit from another university or your A-Level credit should be evaluated by Undergraduate Admissions by the time you meet with your academic advisor at Orientation. Your advisor will explain how these courses might be used to meet prerequisites or in your distribution plan.

Retro-Active Credits

LANGUAGES
Retroactive credits are only granted for French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Modern Greek, and Spanish.

To earn these credits students must complete an upper-level course into which they were placed [232 or higher (202 for Hebrew)] with a grade of B or better. A student may earn up to a maximum of 8 credits for prior academic work completed (e.g., AP plus retroactive credit).

For complete details and restrictions see page 2 of the application.

To apply, fill out the Application for Retroactive Credits. Return this form to your instructor as early as possible during the term. Complete the course with a grade of B or better. The department will certify the grade for the course and forward your application to the LSA Academic Advising Center for authorization. If you are awarded credits, approximately 2 months after the end of the term, it will appear on your transcript as “Credit By Exam”. If the term has ended and you have not applied for retroactive credits turn in your application at the LSA Academic Advising Center, 1255 Angell Hall.

MATH
Students who have scored 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB Advanced Placement test will have 2 additional credits for MATH 120 awarded after successful completion of MATH 116, 119, 156, 175, 185, 186 or 295 with a grade of C or better. The Registrar's Office will automatically award this credit approximately one month after the term ends. If you do not receive your additional credits email your LSA advisor.

Students who have scored 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC Advanced Placement test will have 2 additional credits for both MATH 120 and 121 awarded after successful completion of MATH 215, 285 or 295 with a grade of C or better. The Registrar's Office will automatically award this credit approximately one month after the term ends. If you do not receive your additional credits email your LSA advisor.

PHYSICS
Students who have scored 4 or 5 on the Physics C: Mechanics or the Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Advanced Placement test will be awarded 5 credit hours of PHYSICS 140(4) & 141(1) or PHYSICS 240(4) & 241(1). Credit is only awarded after meeting with a Physics Concentration Advisor. After your meeting the advisor will send the signed approved form to the LSA Advising Center. Students should call 764-5539 to make a physics advising appointment.