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Ways of earning Credit
identical to that earned in the stateside programs of UMUC.
Thus a student may earn a UMUC bachelor’s degree entirely
through study in Asia or in combination with study in Europe
and at stateside locations in Maryland and in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area. In addition to on-site classroom
courses, UMUC offers an extensive array of courses through
its acclaimed Distance Education program, all of which carry
UMUC resident credit.
Credit toward a certificate or degree with UMUC may be assigned
from several sources.
Learning Gained Through
Experience
Learning acquired outside the college classroom may be assessed
for credit toward a degree at UMUC. There are two ways
students can make use of life experience for possible college
credit: Prior Learning and Cooperative Education. Details on
each method follow. Advisors can help in determining the best
routes to use in fulfilling any academic plan.
Prior Learning
Students may earn credit for college-level learning acquired
outside the classroom through two avenues: course-challenge
examinations and EXCEL Through Experiential Learning. As
many as 30 credits may be earned through a combination of
course-challenge examinations and EXCEL and applied toward
the bachelor’s degree. However, no more than half the credits
required for an undergraduate major, minor, or certificate
program may be earned through Prior Learning (EXCEL and
course-challenge examinations) and credit by examination.
Any excess credits awarded are applied where appropriate in the
student’s program of study.
Course-Challenge Examinations
UMUC credit can be earned for any undergraduate course
for which UMUC can prepare and administer a suitable examination
(called a course-challenge examination). Academic
Advisors can inform students about courses that may not be
challenged by examination. Degree students at UMUC who
have received an official evaluation of transfer credit and have a
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in UMUC
coursework may contact a UMUC Asia Academic Advisor to
begin the process and learn how to apply for these examinations.
Course-challenge exams are not intended to substitute for independent
study. Students may be required to show evidence
of prior learning before being authorized to take a course-challenge
exam. Credit may be applied toward a first or second
bachelor’s degree. No exam may be taken more than twice, and
course-challenge examinations may not be taken for courses
for which the student has previously enrolled. Only one course
in a sequence may be tested at one time and students may not
take an exam for a course that is a prerequisite for a higher-level
course they have already taken.
Credit earned by course-challenge examination earns a letter
grade, based on the exam score, that is computed in the grade
point average. However, this credit may not be applied to the
requirement for graded coursework in the student’s major.
An exam may only be canceled before the student receives the
exam paper. Refunds are given only if a suitable exam cannot be
prepared. More information on course-challenge examinations
is available by contacting the UMUC Asia Office of Student
Affairs.
EXCEL Through Experiential Learning
EXCEL Through Experiential Learning is a unique way for students
to demonstrate and earn credit for college-level learning
they have gained from work, community or political involvement,
or other noncollegiate experiences. Students interested in
learning more about EXCEL or wanting to apply should contact
an Academic Advisor.
To be eligible for EXCEL students must
• Complete an EXCEL application.
• Complete an orientation (available online).
• Meet basic standards in writing (either by having taken a
college writing course or by qualifying for WRTG 101 on
the writing placement test).
• Be in good academic standing at UMUC (not on academic
warning or probation).
• Have submitted all transcripts, exam scores, and military
occupational specialty (MOS) scores to the Office of Evaluations
and requested an official evaluation.
Enrollment in EXCL 301 Learning Analysis and Planning is required.
In this 3-credit course, the student prepares a portfolio
describing and documenting college-level learning gained from
past experiences. Because EXCL 301 is a demanding and complex
course, students should not register for other courses while
they are enrolled in EXCL 301. After receiving credit once for
EXCL 301, students may not enroll in the class again.
EXCL 301 is graded on an S/D/F basis. If the quality of work
in the portfolio merits a grade of C or higher, a grade of S is
awarded and the portfolio is forwarded for credit evaluation.
Faculty members from the appropriate academic disciplines
assess the portfolio and recommend whether to award credit.
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UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG | 2008-2009