Alternative Methods of Obtaining Credit

Download a print-friendly brochure

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College-Level Examination Program is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the United States. It allows students to demonstrate the college-level knowledge they have gained through prior academic study, independent study, professional experience and/or cultural pursuits.
Carroll grants credit to students who have achieved a qualifying score on specific CLEP examinations. A maximum of 48 credits of CLEP may be granted for the general and subject examinations combined. Credits earned through CLEP may be used for major, minor, core and liberal studies requirements or general electives toward graduation.

Students are encouraged to contact the testing center directly for examination dates, registration deadlines and testing fees.

Retroactive Credit for Mathematics

Students with prior Calculus experience may enroll in MAT161: Calculus II or MAT207: Calculus III. A student who takes MAT161 and receives a grade of BC or above will receive retroactive credit of MAT160: Calculus I, if Advanced Placement (AP) credit has not been awarded for the course. A student who takes MAT207: Calculus III, and earns a grade of BC or above will receive retroactive credit for MAT160 and MAT161, if Advanced Placement credit has not been awarded for those courses.

Retroactive Credit for Modern Languages

Students enrolled in a degree program at Carroll may earn a maximum of 16 credit hours in a modern language by completing a 300-level conversation course with a grade of B or higher, or four, eight or 12 credits upon completion of 102, 201 or 202, respectively, with a grade of B or higher. To enroll in any modern language class other than 101, students must take a placement test prior to the start of the semester. This must be the student’s first enrollment in an advanced college-level modern language course. Special provisions are made for native and near-native speakers of French and Spanish.

International Baccalaureate Program

Carroll recognizes the International Baccalaureate Diploma for purposes of admission, course credit and advanced standing or placement. 16 credits will be granted to holders of the diploma. Additional credit may be granted when more than four higher-level examinations have been taken and scores of four or higher have been earned.

For students in the program who have not earned the diploma, four credits will be granted for each higher-level examination when a score of four or higher is earned. These credits will be declared to meet core and liberal studies requirements when the subjects validated by examination appear to be reasonably comparable to subjects taught at Carroll. Otherwise, the credits will be regarded as elective credit toward a Carroll degree. The student must enroll as a degree-seeking student at Carroll.

College Courses Taken in High School

College credit may be given to students who enroll in college-level courses while still attending high school. Classes must be taken through an accredited institution. A copy of the course description for each course to be taken must be reviewed by an admission counselor to determine if credit will transfer to Carroll. The course credit must be letter graded C or better. All college level courses taken must appear on an official transcript from the accredited institution where courses were taken.

Carroll will review Project Lead the Way courses for credit. Additional information to award credit may be required.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

High school students are able to obtain college credit after completing courses through the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program. Students need to pass the examinations with a sufficient score, as noted on chart below, in order to receive college credit. The maximum number of AP credits that may be counted toward a bachelor’s degree is 48. Several of the examinations have specific Carroll University equivalents and may be used for major, minor, or liberal studies program requirements. Unless otherwise indicated credit will be given for a minimum score of 3.

Footnotes

¹ For students continuing the study of language at Carroll University, a placement exam will be given. This placement exam takes precedent over AP credit. Please see our Retroactive Credit policy. For all exams at the 202 level, eight credits will be given for a score of 4. 16 credits will be given for a score of 5.

² Credit given for either the AP Spanish Language and Culture examination or the AP Spanish Literature and Culture examination, but not both.