Credit by St. John Fisher University Examination

In specific courses or academic disciplines in which standardized examinations are not available, students may obtain credit for a St. John Fisher University course by satisfactorily completing a testing procedure developed by the appropriate department of the University. Faculty may accommodate students with a specific need for this type of testing but are under no obligation to do so. Examinations are written tests but may also involve oral examination, laboratory demonstration, or the satisfactory completion of a major essay.

These are not placement examinations but are designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge gained outside of the traditional classroom environment. This program is not meant to alter the traditional educational orientation of the University. Therefore:

• Only matriculated students who have earned 30 credits in residence may apply for credit by a St. John Fisher University examination.
• Credit for the examination will count toward meeting the residence requirement. The examination grade will appear on the transcript at the end of the semester in which the examination is taken.
• An unsuccessful attempt will be recorded as an “F” grade and will be calculated into the GPA until the examination is repeated and passed or the course is taken. If unsuccessful, the examination may be repeated once, after a six-month waiting period.
• The fee for the examination for one three-to-four-credit-hour course will be the equivalent of the current charge for one undergraduate credit and must be paid prior to taking the examination.

Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Credit by St. John Fisher University Examination is required at least two weeks before the exam may be taken, and is available in the Registrar’s Office. The form requires verification by the registrar; documentation of fee payment and approval of the examiner; approval of the chair of the department in which the examination will be taken; and approval of the appropriate School dean.

A student may not receive credit for successful completion of an examination if he or she has taken and passed the same examination or course (or its equivalent) or a higher-level course in the same subject area or has ever audited or enrolled in the course at St. John Fisher University. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the chair of the department in which the exam is to be taken.

Credit for a maximum of two courses may be earned by St. John Fisher University examination. Exceptions to this limit require approval of the provost or the provost’s designee.

Note: Students who have studied successfully in a school where primary instruction was conducted in a language other than English will not receive credit by examination in that language at the 111/112 level. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.