Credits by Examination or Prior Learning

Some students may be eligible to receive college credits based on their Advanced Placement or College Level Examination Program scores; still others may choose to take test-outs developed by individual departments on the UW-Platteville campus. In addition, most veterans are eligible to receive some advanced credit for their service.

Since many of the credits awarded by examination or review count toward the general education requirements, students should read both this chapter and the general education chapter of the catalog thoroughly before registering for courses.

Advanced Credit for Veterans

Veterans can receive credit for their experiential learning by providing a Joint Services Transcript or a Community College of the Air Force Transcript.  All undergraduate-level credits (non-vocational) will be awarded based on recommendations by the American Council on Education.  When possible, credit will be transferred as direct equivalents to university course.  For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@uwplatt.edu.

Advanced Placement Examination

Credit and advanced placement may be granted to students who are accepted as matriculating students and who have participated in the Advanced Placement Examination Program. Students applying for UW-Platteville admission must arrange to have their Advanced Placement Examination score reports sent to UW-Platteville Office of Admission. Departments in the Colleges of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Liberal Arts and Education participate in the Advanced Placement Program.

Advanced Placement and Credit

African American Studies

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
African American Studies 3,4,5 3 ETHNSTDY 1000T - Elective credit*
*

ETHNSTDY 1000T is elective credit and does not fulfill a general education requirement, including Ethnic Studies.

Art

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Art History 3,4,5 3 ART 2430
Studio Art: Drawing 3,4,5 3 ART 1010
Studio Art: 2-D Design 3,4,5 3 ART 1420
Studio Art: 3-D Design 3,4,5 3 ART 1520

Biology

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Biology 3,4 4 BIOLOGY 1150
Biology 5 5 BIOLOGY 1150

Chemistry

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Chemistry 3 5 CHEMSTRY 1050
Chemistry 4 4-5 CHEMSTRY 1140 or CHEMSTRY 1450
Chemistry 5 5-8 CHEMSTRY 1140 and CHEMSTRY 1240 or CHEMSTRY 1450

Chinese

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Chinese Language and Culture 3,4,5 See Humanities Department

Computer Science

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Computer Science A 3,4,5 3 COMPUTER 1430
Computer Science AB * 3,4,5 3 COMPUTER 1430
Computer Science Principles 3,4,5 3 COMPUTER 1130
C++-based A or AB * 3 3 COMPUTER 1430
Pascal-based A or AB * 3 3 COMPUTER 1130
*

 Exam no longer offered by College Board

Economics

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Macroeconomics 3,4,5 3 ECONOMIC 2130
Microeconomics 3,4,5 3 ECONOMIC 2230

English

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
English Language and Composition 3,4 3 ENGLISH 1130
English Language and Composition 5 6 ENGLISH 1130, ENGLISH 1230
English Literature and Composition 3 3 ENGLISH 1330
English Literature and Composition 4,5 6 ENGLISH 1130 and ENGLISH 1330

Environmental Science

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Environmental Science 3,4,5 3 ENVSS 3330

French

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
French Language and Culture 3 8 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140
French Language and Culture 4 12 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140, FRENCH 2040
French Language and Culture 5 16 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140, FRENCH 2040, FRENCH 2140
French Literature * 3 8 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140
French Literature * 4 12 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140, FRENCH 2040
French Literature * 5 16 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140, FRENCH 2040, FRENCH 2140
*

 Exam no longer offered by College Board

Geography

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Human Geography 3,4,5 3 ENVSS 1230

German

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
German Language and Culture 3 8 GERMAN 1240, GERMAN 1340
German Language and Culture 4 12 GERMAN 1240, GERMAN 1340, GERMAN 2240
German Language and Culture 5 16 GERMAN 1240, GERMAN 1340, GERMAN 2240, GERMAN 2340

History

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
European History 3 3 HISTORY 1000T*
European History 4,5 3 HISTORY 1060
United States History 3 3 HISTORY 1000T*
United States History 4,5 3 HISTORY 2430
World History 3 3 HISTORY 1000T*
World History 4,5 3 HISTORY 2020
*

HISTORY 1000T is elective credit and does not fulfill a general education requirement, including Historical Perspectives.

Italian

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Italian Language and Culture 3,4,5 3 General Education - Humanities

Japanese

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Japanese Language and Culture 3,4,5 See Humanities Department

Latin

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Latin 3,4,5 3 General Education - Humanities

Mathematics

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Calculus AB 3 3 MATH 2630
Calculus AB 4,5 4 MATH 2640
Calculus BC1 0,1,2 3 MATH 2630
Calculus BC2 0,1,2 4 MATH 2640
Calculus BC 3 4 MATH 2640
Calculus BC 4,5 8 MATH 2640, MATH 2740
Precalculus 3 3 MATH 1000T - Elective credit3
Precalculus 4,5 5 MATH 2450
Statistics 3,4,5 3 MATH 1830
1

Must have earned a score of 3 on Calc AB subtest

2

Must have earned a score of 4 or 5 on Calc AB subtest

3

MATH 1000T is elective credit and does not fulfill a general education requirement, including Mathematics competency.

Music

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Music Theory 3,4,5 3 MUSIC 1730
Music Listening and Literature * 3,4,5 3 See Music Department
*

 Exam no longer offered by College Board

Physics

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Physics 1: Algebra Based 3,4,5 5 PHYSICS 1350
Physics 2: Algebra Based 3,4,5 5 PHYSICS 1450
Physics C: Mechanics 3,4,5 4 PHYSICS 2240
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3,4,5 4 PHYSICS 2340

Political Science

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Comparative Government and Politics 3,4,5 3 POLISCI 2430
United States Government and Politics 3,4,5 3 POLISCI 1230

Psychology

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Psychology 3,4,5 3 PSYCHLGY 1130

Research

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Research (Capstone) 3 3 English Elective*
Research (Capstone) 4,5 3 ENGLISH 1230
*

English Elective does not fulfill a general education requirement.

Seminar

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Seminar 3,4,5 3 General Education - Social Sciences

Spanish

AP Examination Score Credit Course No.
Spanish Language and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940
Spanish Language and Culture 4 12 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940, SPANISH 2840
Spanish Language and Culture 5 16 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940, SPANISH 2840, SPANISH 2940
Spanish Literature and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940
Spanish Literature and Culture 4 12 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940, SPANISH 2840
Spanish Literature and Culture 5 16 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940, SPANISH 2840, SPANISH 2940

College Level Examination Programs (CLEP)

The CLEP subject examinations and scores necessary for credit are listed below.

Composition and Literature1

Category ACE Credits Course No.
American Literature 50 3 ENGLISH 2430
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 50 3 ENGLISH 1330
College Composition 50 3 ENGLISH 1130
English Literature 50 3 ENGLISH 2130
Humanities2 50 3 ENGLISH 1330
1

Additional credits will not be given for completing the optional essay portion of the CLEP exam.

2

General exam: Must be taken prior to earning 15 credits

World Languages

Category ACE Credits Course No.
French Language: Level 1 50 4 FRENCH 1040
French Language: Level 2 59 12 FRENCH 1140, FRENCH 2040, FRENCH 2140
German Language: Level 1 50 4 GERMAN 1240
German Language: Level 2 60 12 GERMAN 1340, GERMAN 2240, GERMAN 2340
Spanish Language: Level 1 50 4 SPANISH 1840
Spanish Language: Level 2 63 12 SPANISH 1940, SPANISH 2840, SPANISH 2940

History And Social Sciences

Category ACE Credits Course No.
American Government 50 3 POLISCI 1230
History of U.S. I: Early Colonization to 1877 50 3 HISTORY 2330
History of U.S. II: 1865 to the Present 50 3 HISTORY 2430
Human Growth and Development 50 3 TEACHING 2130
Macroeconomics, Principles of 50 3 ECONOMIC 2130
Microeconomics, Principles of 50 3 ECONOMIC 2230
Psychology, Introductory 50 3 PSYCHLGY 1130
Sociology, Introductory 50 3 SOCIOLGY 1030
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 50 3 HISTORY 2010
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present 50 3 HISTORY 2020

Science and Mathematics

Category ACE Credits Course No.
Biology 50 5 BIOLOGY 1150
College Algebra 65 3 MATH 1530
College Mathematics 65 3 MATH 1620
Precalculus 65 5 MATH 2450

Business

Category ACE Credits Course No.
Financial Accounting 50 3 ACCTING 2010
Business Law, Introductory 50 3 BUSADMIN 3130
Management, Principles of 50 3 BUSADMIN 2330
Marketing, Principles of 50 3 BUSADMIN 2630

International Baccalaureate Examinations

IB Examination Score Credit Course No.
Advanced Mathematics (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Art (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Art/Design (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Art/Design (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Biology (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Biology (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Business and Management (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 BUSADMIN 1000 (Elective)
Business and Management (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Chemistry (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 8 CHEMSTRY 1140, CHEMSTRY 1240
Chemisty (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Chinese (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Chinese (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Computer Science (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 COMPUTER 1830
Computer Science (SL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 COMPUTER 1130
Dance (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 THEATRE 2900
Dance (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Design Technology (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Design Technology (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Economics (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 6 ECONOMIC 2130, ECONOMIC 2230
Economics (SL) See Department See Department See Department
English (HL) 4 3 ENGLISH 1000 (Literature Elective)
English (HL) 5, 6, 7 6 ENGLISH 1000 (Literature Elective)
English (SL) See Department See Department See Department
English: Literature (HL) See Department See Department See Department
English: Literature (SL) See Department See Department See Department
English: Language & Literature (HL) See Department See Department See Department
English: Language & Literature (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Enivronmental Systems & Societies (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Film (HL) See Department See Department See Department
French (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 8 FRENCH 1040, FRENCH 1140
French (SL) 5, 6, 7 4 FRENCH 1040
Further Mathematics (HL)* 4,5,6,7 3 MATH 3000 (Elective)
Further Mathematics (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Geography (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 ENVSS 1330
Geography (SL) See Department See Department See Department
German (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 8 GERMAN 1240, GERMAN 1340
German (SL) 5, 6, 7 4 GERMAN 1240
Global Politics (HL) 4,5,6,7 3 POLISCI 2360
Global Politics (SL) NA 0 Not accepted
Greek (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Greek (SL) See Department See Department See Department
History of Africa (HL) See Department See Department See Department
History of Asia/Oceania (HL) See Department See Department See Department
History of Europe (HL) See Department See Department See Department
History of Islam (HL) See Department See Department See Department
History of the Americas (HL) See Department See Department See Department
History (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 HISTORY 2020
History (SL) 5, 6, 7 3 HISTORY 2010
Information Technology in a Global Society (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 COMPUTER 1000 (Elective)
Information Technology in a Global Society (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Italian (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Italian (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Japanese (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Japanese (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Korean (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Korean (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Latin (HL) 4,5,6,7 4 Elective (does not satisfy requirements)
Latin (SL) 5,6,7 3 Elective (does not satisfy requirements)
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) 4 3 MATH 2630
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) 5,6,7 4 MATH 2740
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) 5,6,7 3 MATH 2630
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Mathematical Studies (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Mathematics (HL)* 4,5,6,7 4 MATH 2640
Mathematics (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Music (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Music (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Philosphy (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 PHLSPHY 1130
Philosphy (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Physics (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 10 PHYSICS 1350, PHYSICS 1450
Physics (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Portuguese (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Portuguese (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Psychology (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 PSYCHLGY 1130
Psychology (SL) 4, 5, 6, 7 3 PSYCHLGY 1130
Russian (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Russian (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Social & Cultural Anthropology (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Social & Cultural Anthropology (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Social Anthroplogy (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Social Anthroplogy (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Spanish (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 8 SPANISH 1840, SPANISH 1940
Spanish (SL) 5, 6, 7 4 SPANISH 1840
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Theatre Arts (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Theatre Arts (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Theory of Knowledge See Department See Department See Department
Visual Arts (HL) See Department See Department See Department
Visual Arts (SL) See Department See Department See Department
Full Diploma 28 or higher 3 Transfer 1000T - Elective credit**
*

Exam no longer offered by IB

**

Transfer 1000T is general elective credit only.

GCE Advanced Level (A-Level)

Students that have completed one or more of the University of Cambridge/OCR A-Level courses listed below may submit an official copy of the A-Level exam certificate from the examination board.  Credits will not be posted from Results Slips or internal school transcripts.  The following credit awarded is based on the current academic year.  If exams were taken in previous years, they may be subject to receive different credit. Examinations that are not listed below will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for advanced standing credit. 

GCE A-Level Exam Score Credit Course No.
Accounting A-E 6 ACCTING 2010, ACCTING 2020
Chemistry A-D 8 CHEMSTRY 1140, CHEMSTRY 1240
Chemistry E 4 CHEMSTRY 1140
Economics A-E 6 ECONOMIC 2130, ECONOMIC 2230
Economics (A-S Level)* A-D 3 ECONOMIC 1010
English Literature A-D 3 ENGLISH 1130
Geography A-E 7 ENVSS 1040, ENVSS 1050
Mathematics A-E 4 MATH 2640
Physics A-E 10 PHYSICS 1350, PHYSICS 1450
Physics (A-S Level)* A-E 5 PHYSICS 1050
Psychology A-E 6 PSYCHLGY 1130, PSYCHLGY 1000S**
Sociology A-E 3 SOCIOLGY 1030
*

Students cannot earn credit for A-level and AS-level coursework in the same content area.  If a student passed both they will only be awarded credit for A-Level coursework.

**

PSYCHLGY 1000S equates to 3 credits of psychology electives which also count toward the Social Science general education requirement.

Departmental Test-Outs and Waivers

UW-Platteville offers numerous internally developed assessment methods for awarding credit. Department examinations or test-outs, and department waivers are the most common forms of establishing proficiency. While students may attempt to test out of many introductory courses, they should remember that test-outs are not offered for every course, or by every department.

Students having extensive training or significant practical experience may apply to the appropriate department chair for permission to begin the test-out process. Individual departments administer and begin the test-out process, evaluate tests for credit in a variety of ways and may charge for the evaluation. The following guidelines have been established regarding departmental evaluations:

  1. Only students enrolled at UW-Platteville may participate in departmental test-out examinations.
  2. Credit for such examinations with the appropriate departmental approval shall be entered on the student’s permanent scholastic record.
  3. Credit examinations, once failed, may not be repeated.
  4. No student may take a credit examination in a course which is a prerequisite, stated or implied, for an advanced course in the same subject for which credit has already been earned.
  5. The maximum credit which may be earned by examination in any one field is determined by the academic department in which the test-out was taken.
  6. A fee may be charged for administering examinations to students wishing to receive credit by examination. The fee may vary by program area and by student status (full time or part-time).

Project Lead the Way

There are 14 current Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses considered for college credit:

  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Civil Engineering and Architecture
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  • Computer Science Principles
  • Digital Electronics
  • Engineering Design and Development
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Computer Science Essentials*
  • Cybersecurity
  • Computer Science A*
  • Principles of Biomedical Science
  • Biomedical Innovation
*

These courses align with College Board Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum, therefore allow a student to take the corresponding AP assessment.  Credit may only be earned as a PLTW course OR an AP course.  Please contact an admission staff member to discuss options.

Credit Acceptance Policy

  • PLTW engineering credits equate to two (2) credits of general engineering elective credit, with a maximum of six (6) credits.
  • In addition, students who successfully complete at least three (3) PLTW courses from the above listing will receive credit for GENENG 1030.
    • If a student completes three (3) PLTW courses and an equivalent college course at UW-Platteville or another institution, they may only receive credit for GENENG 1030 once. 
    • If a student completes the PLTW requirement and the STEM Start Program, they may only receive credit for GENENG 1030 once.

  • Students may be awarded PLTW engineering credits or equivalent dual enrollment credits, but not both.

Eligibility

  1. A grade of “B” higher on the high school transcript for each PLTW course taken
  2. End-of-Course exam with an achievement level descriptor of “Accomplished” or “Distinguished” (Score of 6 or higher for courses taken prior to 18-19 academic school year)

To receive college credit at UW-Platteville for Project Lead the Way courses student must submit:

  1. PLTW form located on the admissions website to indicate courses taken
  2. High school transcript that demonstrates a “B” or higher for each PLTW course
  3. End-of-Course exam score for each PLTW course

Retroactive World Language Credit

In order to earn Retroactive Credit, a student must enroll in a second semester course or higher at UW-Platteville and must earn a grade of "A" or "B" in that course. In addition to credit for the course completed, a student may then earn between 4 and 16 retroactive credits for the course or courses skipped at the 1000 or 2000 levels at UW-Platteville or at the branch campus.  UW-Platteville will also honor retroactive credits earned at another institution provided that these credits were earned according to UW-Platteville policy.