Test-Based Credit, Dual Enrollment, and Military Credit Information
Students may fulfill general education or other requirements by earning credit in a variety of ways. Such credit includes College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advanced Level (A-Level) test-based credit. Credit can also be earned through dual enrollment and other approved substitutes, provided the credit meets UIS criteria for college-level work. For more information on using test-based credit and/or dual enrollment, students should contact their academic advisor.
CLEP Credit
CLEP is designed to assist students in reaching their academic goals by gaining college credit for knowledge acquired through prior course work, job experience, internships, or other experiences outside a traditional classroom setting. CLEP exams are published and scored by the College Board. For further information, visit the College Board’s website at http://clep.collegeboard.org/. UIS students should consult with an academic advisor to find out which CLEP exams, if any, they may be eligible to take. See the table below for a list of the CLEP exams for which UIS grants credit. Credit for other CLEP exams will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
| CLEP EXAM | UIS Course | Minimum CLEP Score Required | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | |||
| College Composition | ENG 102; exemption from requirement of ENG 1011 (Written Communication) | 60 | 3 |
| Literature | |||
| American Literature | ENG 246 (Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | ENG 137 (Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| English Literature | ENG 242 (Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Business | |||
| Financial Accounting | ACC 211 (N/A) | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ECO 202 (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ECO 201 (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
| History and Social Sciences | |||
| American Government | PSC 201 and LES 201 (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
| Introductory Psychology | PSY 201 (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
| Introductory Sociology | SOA 101 (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
| U.S. History I: Early Colonization to 1877 | HIS 204 Test-Based Credit (Behavioral & Social Science OR Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| U.S. History II: 1865 to Present | HIS 205 (Behavioral & Social Science OR Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | HIS 202 (Behavioral & Social Science OR Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present | HIS 202 (Behavioral & Social Science OR Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Science and Mathematics | |||
| Biology | BIO 141 & BIO 142 (Life Science & Lab Science) | 60 | 8 |
| Chemistry | Contact Chemistry Department Lead (Physical Science & Lab Science) | Contact Chemistry Lead | Contact Chemistry Lead |
| Calculus | MAT 115 (Math) | 50 | 4 |
| College Algebra | MAT 102 (N/A) | 50 | 4 |
| College Mathematics | MAT 111 (Math) | 50 | 4 |
| General Subject Area Tests | |||
| Humanities | Humanities general education credit (Humanities) | 50 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural sciences general education credit (Life Science Or Physical Science) | 50 | 3 |
| Social Sciences and History | Social Science general education credit (Behavioral & Social Science) | 50 | 3 |
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Students must submit a completed Student Petition to receive an exemption for ENG 101.
AP Credit
The Advanced Placement Program (AP), administered by the College Board allows high school students to take college-level course work (for further information on the AP Program, visit the College Board’s website at https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home. College credit is awarded to those students who earn sufficiently high grades on AP examinations covering basic freshman-course subject matter.
Three hours of departmental or general elective credit is awarded for AP exam scores of 3 or higher, which can be used to satisfy university degree requirements. Specific course credit is awarded for scores as noted below. It is the student’s responsibility to have official test results sent from the College Board to the Office of Admission before credit can be awarded.
| AP EXAM | UIS Course | Minimum AP Score Required | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | |||
| English Language and Composition | ENG 101 | 4 | 3 |
| English Literature and Composition | ENG 102 | 4 | 3 |
| Business | |||
| Microeconomics | ECO 201 | 4 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics | ECO 202 | 4 | 3 |
| History and Social Sciences | |||
| European History | HIS 202 | 4 | 3 |
| U.S. History | HIS 204 or HIS 205 | 3 | 3 |
| World History | HIS 201 | 3 | 3 |
| Computer Science A | CSC 225 | 4 | 3 |
| Comparative Government & Politics | PSC 171 | 4 | 3 |
| U.S. Government & Politics | LES 201 or PSC 201 | 4 | 3 |
| Psychology | PSY 201 | 4 | 3 |
| Fine Arts | |||
| 2 - Design Portfolio | ART 102 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 - Design Portfolio | ART 112 | 3 | 3 |
| Drawing Portfolio | ART 113 | 3 | 3 |
| Science and Mathematics | |||
| Biology | BIO 141 | 3 | 4 |
| Chemistry | CHE 141 | 4 | 4 |
| Environmental Science | ENS 251 | 4 | 4 |
| Calculus AB | MAT 115 | 4 | 4 |
| Calculus BC | MAT 115 and MAT 116 | 4 | 8 |
| Physics 1 | ASP 201 | 4 | 4 |
| Physics 2 | ASP 202 | 4 | 4 |
| Physics C Electricity & Magnetism | ASP 202 | 4 | 4 |
| Physics C Mechanics | ASP 201 | 4 | 4 |
| Statistics | MAT 121 | 3 | 3 |
| World Languages & Cultures | |||
| Spanish Language and Culture | LNG 121 | 3 | 4 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | LNG 121 and LNG 122 | 4 | 8 |
International Baccalaureate Credit
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization offers diploma and certificate programs. Through the high school, students complete college-level course work (for further information on the IB Program, visit the IB website at www.ibo.org/. Subject scores of 4 or higher for International Baccalaureate subjects shall be accepted for credit to satisfy degree requirements. The University will determine for each International Baccalaureate subject whether credit will be granted for electives, general education requirements, or major requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to have official IB transcripts sent to the Office of Admission and, once transcripts are received, to submit a Student Petition asking for credit to be awarded.
Advanced Level (A-Levels) Credit
The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examinations originated in the United Kingdom and are known as the "A-Level Exams." Many countries have developed similar exams, and different examining boards might use the same exam name even if they are not part of the United Kingdom. The A-Levels are usually taken after two years of studying the subject. The University will determine whether credit will be granted for electives, general education requirements, or major requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to have official A-Level transcripts sent to the Office of Admission and, once transcripts are received, to submit a Student Petition asking for credit to be awarded.
State Seal of Biliteracy Program
The State Seal of Biliteracy Program was established to recognize public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies the attainment of proficiency sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career. UIS translates the State Seal of Biliteracy into foreign language course credit based on course equivalencies identified by UIS faculty and staff. It is the student’s responsibility to request course credit based upon an earned State Seal of Biliteracy. Such requests must be received within three academic years after graduating high school.
Military Credit
UIS follows the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations for awarding academic credit for military training. Credit for military training will be reviewed upon receipt for the appropriate equivalency. If a direct equivalency is not awarded, students will receive elective credit. A Student Petition approved by the student's academic advisor and department chair may be submitted to use military credit towards specific program requirements.