Advanced Placement Program

The State of Ohio, working through the University System of Ohio, has initiated policies to facilitate the ease of transition from high school to college as well as between and among Ohio's public colleges and universities.

Beginning in the Fall term 2009:

1. Students obtaining an Advanced Placement (AP) exam score of 3 or above will be awarded the aligned course(s) and credits for the AP exam area(s) successfully completed.
2. General Education courses and credits received will be applied towards graduation and will satisfy a general education requirement if the course(s) to which the AP area is equivalent fulfill a requirements.
3. If an equivalent course is not available for the AP exam area completed, elective or area credit will be awarded in the appropriate academic discipline and will be applied towards graduation where such elective credit options exist within the academic major.
4. Additional courses or credits may be available when a score of 4 or 5 is obtained. Award of credit for higher score values varies depending on the institution and academic discipline.
5. In academic disciplines containing highly dependent sequences (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—STEM) students are strongly advised to confer with the college/university advising staff to ensure they have the appropriate foundation to be successful in advanced coursework within the sequence.

The awarding of credit through the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program is coordinated by the Honors College; this credit is based on college-level high school courses and tests administered through the high schools. (Further information on APP may be obtained from the dean of the Honors College, 330-672-2312).

Kent State Credit-by-Examination

Credit for selected Kent State University courses is granted under the Credit-By-Examination program (CBE) coordinated by Academic Testing Services. Students with demonstrable ability and knowledge in a particular subject area may earn credit in certain courses by taking special examinations and/or completing special assignments through the appropriate departments. Students who wish to pursue CBE must complete the CBE application to gain appropriate department and college permission. Such permission is granted only if the students present documented evidence of substantial prior preparation in the subject area. Students should receive prior verbal approval from the department and their college advising office before completing the CBE application. Courses available for CBE are listed on the Career Services website, see the Credit Testing Eligibility section for regulations governing CBE.

The minimum passing standard for CBE is the equivalent of a C grade. However, no letter grade, only credit hours, are given for CBE. A per credit hour examination fee is assessed by Academic Testing Services.

College Level Examination Program

Kent State University awards credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Academic Testing Services at Kent State University is authorized to administer CLEP tests. See the Credit Testing Eligibility section for regulations governing CLEP. Information concerning test dates and procedures can be obtained by contacting Kent State University, Academic Testing Services, 261 Schwartz Center, http://career.kent.edu, 330-672-2360. Additional information is available on the College Board website, www.collegeboard.com/clep.

Credit Testing Eligibility

The student's college determines eligibility for testing. The following regulations govern credit through testing:

1. Students may be tested for CBE only once for any given course. Students may not attempt a course CBE for which they have previously attempted through CLEP.
2. New students may take CLEP before beginning work at Kent State University. Students who have begun college work are allowed to take CBE only if they are in good standing (i.e., not on probation).
3. Students may not take CLEP or CBE for any course:
       • In which they are currently enrolled
       • In which they have previously enrolled and earned a grade, including withdrawal (A-F, AU, IN, IP, NF, NR, S, SF, U, W, Y or Z)
4. In subject fields in which knowledge is sequential or accumulative, students may receive academic credit through CBE only for the single course commensurate with their level of proficiency as established by the examination. Students who already have received credit for one level in such a sequence of courses may not receive academic credit by means of CBE or CLEP for a prior course in that sequence or for a course in a lower sequence.
5. Students pursuing a baccalaureate may attempt a maximum of 30 hours CLEP, AP and CBE combined. Students who wish to take more than 30 hours may petition their college dean for a waiver of this limitation. Students who have earned more than 30 hours of AP and/or CLEP credit before attending Kent State University will be granted that credit, provided such credit meets normal Kent State standards.
6. CBE normally is given only during the third through eighth week of each semester. Students approaching graduation must complete all CBE and CLEP credit by at least the semester preceding the semester in which they plan to graduate.
7. Students who sign up for CBE must take the exam within one calendar year of the date of application. If they do not, they forfeit any fees paid and must reapply to take the exam.