Credit earned through non-traditional methods, including correspondence study and 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 achieve a satisfactory score on any of the following exams: AP, Cambridge International Exams (A Level), CLEP, DSST, departmental test-out, IB, military credit, or retroactive credit may have corresponding course credit recorded on their UNK transcript. When score reports are received by the Office of University Registrar, students are notified of their options for receiving credit.
Advanced Placement (AP) - 30 hours
Talented high school students may participate in national examinations administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit can be earned in college-level courses when the student achieves a passing score on the exam.
Cambridge International Exams (A Level) - 30 hours
A limited number of A Level Exams have been evaluated for credit at UNK.
The Office of the University Registrar is working to evaluate Cambridge International (A Level) credit for UNK equivalents. This page will be updated with test credits and score requirements.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - 30 hours
Defense Subject Standardized Test (DSST- formerly Dantes) - 30 hours
Exams available to military and civilian examinees. The Department of Defense may fund exams for active duty and veteran military members. Request score report from DSST.
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 may receive credit for successfully demonstrating competency in a particular course through a proficiency exam. Academic departments assume responsibility for developing and administering such exams.
International Baccalaureate (IB) - 30 hours
The University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) cooperates with the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) in its curriculum and examinations program. The results of the IB scores are furnished to UNK at the request of the student. The number of credits a student will receive at UNK will be determined by the performance in the IB course and the score received on the exam. To earn transfer credit, a score of five (5) or higher in most exams is required. Credit will only be granted for both the Standard Level (SL) and the Higher Level (HL) scores if an IB Diploma has been earned. HL scores for all other candidates will be awarded accordingly.
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 may receive a maximum of four credit hours for basic training and additional credit hours for advanced individual training as recommended by the American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Credit in the Armed Services and approved by UNK. To receive credit, students should bring a copy of their DD-214 Form to the Veterans Office in the Financial Aid Office located in the Student Affairs Building, and request a Joint Services Transcript to be sent to the Financial Aid Office and also to the Office of Student Records and Registration for evaluation of credit and application to the student's record.
Retroactive Credit - 15 hours
Students entering UNK with a particularly high level of achievement in a given subject area, may be awarded credit upon completion of a "confirming" course at UNK. Certain restrictions apply.
Correspondence Courses - 12 hours
No more than 12 hours of correspondence 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 may be granted upon recommendation of an academic department.
