Sep 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook

CREDIT AND PLACEMENT


1.1 ADVANCED PLACEMENT WITH CREDIT:

(revised 05/21/2012 faculty meeting)

Students who complete the college entrance examination board advanced placement test(s) (AP) with a scoree of three (3) or better may be given advanced placement with credit but without a grade for those courses throughout the college in which tests are passed.  The award of such credit is subject to review by the department concerned. 

A student may earn credit but without grade by examination in those courses or subject areas presently available or to be available the college may be earned by a combination of AP and CLEP credit. 

1.1.1 Credit Granting Policy for Non-Traditional Credit:

(added 05/20/2013 faculty meeting)

The following guidelines apply to CLEP credit, military credit, vocational-technical course credit, AP credit, International Baccalaureate and life experience credit. 

1.1.1.1 A maximum of 32 credits may be granted to a student in the combined areas of coursework taken through the armed services, CLEP credit, life experience credit, vocational-technical course credit, AP credit, and credit through non-accredited associations.

1.1.1.2 Students may earn credit in the non-traditional areas only within the first 64 hours of graduation credit; this is equivalent to the first two years of work toward a degree. 

1.1.1.3 The student must demonstrate that the credit applied for meets the curriculum and standards of Simpson College by supplying appropriate supporting documentation.  

1.1.2 Sources for Non-Traditional Credit Include:

(added 05/20/2103 faculty meeting)

1.1.2.1 Advanced Placement.  Students who complete the college entrance examination board advanced placement test(s) (AP) with a score of three (3) or better may be given advanced placement with credit but without a grade for those courses throughout the college in which test are passed.  The award of such credit is subject to review by the department concerned. 

1.1.2.2 CLEP Exam.  A student may earn credit but without grade by examination in those courses or subject areas presently available or to be available through the college level examination program (CLEP).  A maximum of 24 credits may be earned by a combination of AP and CLEP credit. 

1.1.2.3 International Baccalaureate.  Simpson recognizes the IB program and grants credit on a course by course basis for examination scores of 4 or better on the Higher Level courses only.  A maximum of 24 credit hours may be earned through the IB. 

1.1.2.4 Armed Services Credit.  A maximum of 16 credit hours may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson College courses taken while in and through the armed services that meet ACE guidelines for course transfer.  The Dantes tests (Military CLEP) will be accepted under the guidelines pertaining to Simpson CLEP standards.  To be eligible for credit, each course transferred must be approved by the Dean for Academic Affairs. 

1.1.2.5 Professional Organization.  A maximum of 16 credit hours may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson courses taken through unaccredited organizations such as LOMA (Life Office Management Association), ABA (American Banking Association), CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters), and Bible Schools.  Each course must be approved by both the chairperson of the department in which the credit is being granted and the Dean for Academic Affairs. 

1.1.2.6 Life Experience.  A maximum of 24 credits may be awarded for life experience credit, and credits are limited to that number that would bring the student’s total credits to 64.  The total number of life experience credits available to a student will be determined at the date of submission of the final portfolio.  (Note the exception mentioned above for accounting students seeking to complete 150 credits.)

 

1.2 ADVANCED COURSE PLACEMENT:

(revised 05/23/2011 faculty meeting)

A student may be placed in a course level above the normally expected for his/her classification on the basis or superior secondary school performance, transfer credit, examinations, unusual experience, or departmental waiving of prerequisites.  Details may be secured from the head of the relevant department.  No credit is given for such courses unless in the case of departmental examination. 

If a student passes a departmental examination in lieu of taking a course, the student may elect to revceive credit for the course.  The grade associated with this credit will be Pass (P) or Honors Pass (HP) as determined by the department chair and based on the grade on the exam.  A departmental examination for a particular course may be attempted only once.  There is no further penalty in the event the student does not pass the examination or does not choose to receive credit.