Credit earned through non-traditional methods, including non-collegiate instructional programs, is limited to a maximum of 45 hours applicable to the student's degree program. Limits have also been established within each of the areas, as defined below.
Students who meet or exceed the applicable minimum score on a prior learning examination will be awarded academic credit in accordance with University policy and the Nebraska Prior Learning Act. Credit will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements. Credit earned through other non-traditional methods, including departmental test-out, military credit, and retroactive credit, will be evaluated and awarded in accordance with applicable University policies.
ACT WorkKeys (NCRC) - 9 hours
Students who meet or exceed the applicable minimum certificate type (Silver) will be awarded academic credit. Credit will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements.
The Office of the University Registrar is working to evaluate ACT WorkKeys (NCRC) for UNK equivalents. This page will be updated with test credits and score requirements.
Advanced Placement (AP) - 30 hours
Talented high school students may participate in Advanced Placement exams administered by College Board. Students who meet or exceed the applicable minimum score will be awarded academic credit. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements.
Cambridge International Exams - 30 hours
Students who meet or exceed applicable minimum scores on AS or A Level Exams will be awarded academic credit. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements.
The Office of the University Registrar is working to evaluate Cambridge International exams for UNK equivalents. This page will be updated with test credits and score requirements.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - 30 hours
Students who meet or exceed applicable minimum scores on a CLEP exam in a specific subject area will be awarded academic credit. Credit will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements. CLEP credits cannot be used to fulfill upper-division requirements.
Defense Subject Standardized Test (DSST- formerly Dantes) - 30 hours
Students who meet or exceed applicable minimum scores on DSST tests will be awarded academic credit. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements.
The Office of the University Registrar is working to evaluate DSST credit for UNK equivalents. This page will be updated with test credits and score requirements.
Departmental Test-Out - 15 hours
Students who meet or exceed the applicable minimum score on a departmental test-out will be awarded academic credit. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements. Academic departments assume responsibility for developing and administering such exams.
International Baccalaureate (IB) - 30 hours
UNK cooperates with the International Baccalaureate Program in its curriculum and examinations program. The results of IB scores are furnished to UNK at the request of the student. Students who meet or exceed the applicable minimum score for both SL and HL exams will be awarded academic credit. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements.
The Office of the University Registrar is working to evaluate IB credit for UNK equivalents. This page will be updated with test credits and score requirements.
Military Credit - 15 hours
Matriculated student veterans will receive four credit hours for basic training and additional credit hours for advanced individual training as recommended by the American Council on Education's Guide and approved by UNK. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements. Students wishing to receive credit in this manner will need to submit their Joint Services Transcript to the Office of the University Registrar.
Retroactive Credit - 15 hours
Students entering UNK with a particularly high level of achievement in a given subject area, will be awarded credit upon completion of a "validating" course at UNK. Credits will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, or other degree requirements before elective requirements. Individual academic departments may have different grade requirements or policy restrictions.
Work or Life Experience Credit - 12 hours
No more than 12 hours of Work or Life Experience credit may be applied to a bachelor’s degree.
Other forms of experiential learning will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be required to provide verification of content, duration, method of evaluation, etc. Credit will be granted upon recommendation of an academic department and will be applied, where applicable, toward general education, major, other degree requirements before elective requirements.
