Undergraduate Course Placement and Transfer Credits
Students who do not meet basic skills standards in reading, writing and mathematics must complete appropriate Developmental Education courses. Such students may not enroll in 100-level or above courses that depend on these skills until they have satisfactorily met the exit criteria of the appropriate Developmental Education course(s).
Students without appropriate standardized test scores (such as ACT Plus Writing, SAT, ASSET or ACCUPLACER), advanced placement credits, transfer credits or prerequisite coursework must have UAF-approved placement test scores prior to registering for classes their first semester at UAF. Placement exams must be taken within two calendar years prior to the start of the course. Students may not enroll in classes unless they meet the placement requirements. Placement into appropriate developmental or core classes must be done with the help of an academic advisor. Placement tests are available at every UAF community campus as well as Testing Services, the Academic Advising Center, Tanana Valley Campus, Rural Student Services, Center for Distance Education and Northern Military Programs at Fort Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base and Delta Career Advancement Center.
For placement into English F111X or any developmental English course, students must also have a scored writing sample such as an SAT or ACT writing sample, or a UAF-generated writing sample given along with ASSET, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER or other placement tests.
Students who enroll in a developmental or core course without meeting the requirements may be withdrawn from the course through the faculty-initiated withdrawal process. Prerequisite courses must be taken within two calendar years prior to the start of developmental and lower division core math courses. Students may not enroll in Perspectives on the Human Condition courses unless they meet the placement requirements for English F111X (including reading). Students may not enroll in core science classes unless they have placement at DEVM F105 or above and placement into English F111X.
On the basis of test scores, students may be required to take developmental English, developmental studies (for reading) and/or developmental mathematics courses. These courses are designed to help students achieve competencies necessary to succeed in college-level courses. A student will be placed in English F111X if the student's ACT writing test score is 7 or above, the ACT English score is 18 or above and the ACT reading score is 22 or above (or your SAT writing score is 430 and SAT critical reading score is 510 or above, or the score on another university-approved placement test is equivalent). However, if the student's standardized test scores are below these minimums and if the high school cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher, the student may enroll in English F111X with permission of the director of composition or community campus English/humanities faculty. Students enrolling in developmental English or English courses are required to complete a UAF-approved writing sample for placement as well as the ACT Plus Writing, SAT or ACCUPLACER.
Mathematics course placement will vary according to the type of degree the student is planning to pursue and the corresponding math course(s) needed (see the degree program requirements for more detail). ACT Plus Writing, SAT or ACCUPLACER test scores are used to determine math placement.
Minimum test scores for placement into math and developmental math courses are listed in this table and for English writing and reading courses in this table (ACT/SAT) and this table (ACCUPLACER/ASSET/COMPASS).
It is best to consult with an academic advisor or faculty in the developmental education, English or math department(s) with questions regarding appropriate course placement.
Students may not register for foreign language classes higher than F101 unless they have received credit through CLEP, AP, transfer or another UAF-approved test for the prior levels. Students may enroll in the level of a language at which they are competent, based on prior experience.
Course prerequisites indicate what previous preparation is needed to enroll in a course. An instructor has the right to drop any student from the course if he or she does not meet the prerequisite or has not received a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all prerequisite courses.
Credit accepted at UAF that has been earned from other regionally accredited institutions, through military educational experiences or credit accepted by special approval is considered transfer credit. Where possible, transfer credit is equated with UAF courses. See this table for a list of substitutions within the University of Alaska System and this table for substitutions from non-University of Alaska institutions. UAF is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) network. For additional information about the SOC program, contact the Office of Admissions.
UAF's transfer credit resource website at http://alaska.edu/uaonline is an unofficial reference for undergraduate students who are considering transferring to UAF. An official evaluation of transfer credits may be obtained only after formal application and admission to degree-seeking status with UAF.
The following regulations apply to transfer of credit:
- Students are eligible for transfer of credit if they have been admitted to an undergraduate degree or certificate program.
- The applicability of transfer credit to a student's major and/or minor requirements is subject to approval by the major and/or minor department. Transfer students must fulfill the UAF graduation and residency requirements, including those specific to the student's program.
- Undergraduate credits earned at the 100-level or above with a C- grade or higher at institutions accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies will be considered for transfer. Transfer credit normally isn't granted for courses with doctrinal religious content or for graduate courses (for undergraduate programs).
- Transfer credit is awarded for courses in which the student received grades of C- or better. Instructor permission may be required for purposes of registration if the transfer credit courses have not satisfied the prerequisite requirements, or if the transferable grade is not equal to a C (2.0) or better.
- Any student who has completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered to have completed the equivalent of the baccalaureate core and the associate of arts core when officially accepted to a baccalaureate degree program or associate of arts program at UAF. These students will also be considered to have completed the equivalent of the communication, computation and human relations requirements for the associate of applied science and the certificate.
- Transfer credit is not included in computation of the UAF GPA.
- Class standing (e.g., freshman, sophomore, etc.) is based on the number of previous college credits accepted by UAF.
- Credits may be awarded for formal service schooling and military occupational specialties (MOS) based on recommendations in the "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services," published by the American Council on Education. Credit completed through the Community College of the Air Force or Department of Defense courses is included in the category of military experience.
- A student will be awarded credit for currently valid government and professional certifications that have been reviewed and approved for designated course equivalencies at UAF. A list of these programs is available in the Office of Admissions.
- Credit may also be awarded for satisfactory completion of training programs, based on recommendations of the American Council on Education and the National Program on non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction. The award of credit is subject to review and approval of appropriate UAF faculty.
Transferring Credits within the UA System
In order to serve students who transfer among the three institutions that make up the University of Alaska system, UAF, UAA and UAS have identified fully transferable general education requirements for baccalaureate degrees.
Credit for course work successfully completed at one UA institution which applies to general education requirements will fulfill the same categories at all other institutions. This applies even if there is no directly matching course work at the institution to which the student transfers.
Transfer students from UAA or UAS who have completed all general education requirements in the baccalaureate program prior to transferring to UAF will have completed all requirements for the UAF baccalaureate core. Courses taken to complete the general education requirements at UAA or UAS will meet UAF baccalaureate core requirements according to the current table of substitutions for intra-UA transfers (see Table 5). Students should notify the UAF Office of Admissions if they have completed the general education requirements at UAA or UAS when they apply for admission.
Completion of the 35-credit lower-division requirements (100- and 200-level courses) of the UAF baccalaureate core meets the general education requirements at the UAA and UAS.
For more information about transfer credit visit www.uaf.edu/admissions/undergrad/transfer/.
- English
Only students with appropriate test scores may receive local advanced placement credit in English. Students with an English ACT score of 29 or higher, or a writing score on the SAT of 640 or higher, may receive credit for ENGL F111X upon completion of ENGL F211X or 213X with a C grade or better.
NOTE: The information about English placement reflected here is the most current.
To receive this credit, submit an application for ENGL F111X credit, available from the Office of Admissions or the English department, to the Office of Admissions at the end of the semester in which ENGL F211X or 213X was successfully completed. - Alaska Native Language
After completing a course in which the student was placed (above 101) and earning a B grade or higher, the student may ask to receive credit for the two immediately preceding prerequisite courses, if any. However, credit cannot be awarded for such courses if university credit has already been granted (e.g., through College Board Advanced Placement national tests or credit transfer from another college). Credit will not be awarded for special topics courses, individual study courses, literature or culture courses, conversation courses, or any course taught in English. - Mathematics
Students placed in an advanced math course who have completed MATH F201X, 202X or 302 at UAF with a C grade or better may also receive credit for any prerequisite calculus course(s). Students should contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for more information.
There are several ways to earn college credit by receiving a passing score on an exam. For any of the following credit by exam options, grades are not computed in the UAF GPA. Credit by exam is not considered UAF residence credit and is not considered to be part of the semester course load for classification as a full-time student. Credit by exam is awarded to current or previously enrolled degree-seeking students at UAF. The credit by exam options are briefly outlined here. For more information contact the UAF Office of Testing Services, 211 Gruening, 907-474-5277, e-mail fytest@uaf.edu, or www.uaf.edu/testing/.
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
CLEP is a national testing program that awards college credit for some introductory courses. The exams cost $102 each (costs subject to change) and are administered daily.
See a list of CLEP exams accepted at UAF. To register for a CLEP exam or for more information, contact UAF Testing Services at 907-474-5277. The following criteria apply to CLEP exams:
- No credit will be awarded for successfully completing the general exam in the subject areas of humanities, social sciences/history, natural sciences or college mathematics if the student has already earned (from any source) 6 semester credits in any of the subject areas listed above.
- Students may not duplicate a course for which credit has already been earned or for which the student is currently enrolled.
- Students must wait at least one year after the end of an audited course before taking the CLEP exam for that course.
- The minimum passing score for approved CLEP exams is 50 with the exception of the following listed foreign languages scores: French semester I and II, minimum 50, semesters III and IV, minimum 59; German semester I minimum 39, semester II minimum 50, semester III minimum 55, semester IV minimum 60; Spanish semester I minimum 39, semester II minimum 50, semester III minimum 57 and semester IV minimum 63.
- College Board Advanced Placement Exams
UAF grants advanced credit, with waiver of fees, for a score of three or higher in the College Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Tests. This test is normally taken during the junior or senior year in high school.
To receive CEEB advanced placement credit, request that an official report of the examination scores be sent to the Office of Admissions from the College Board. Credits may be earned for more than one advanced placement examination. - Credit for Language Testing
UAF accepts successful test results from Brigham Young University or other national testing programs (subject to Foreign Language Department approval) in languages for which no CLEP test is available, for a maximum of 12 credits. The first 10 credits may be applied to the core curriculum language requirement and any additional credits will be awarded general humanities credit. Results must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions by the testing agency. For more information on foreign language testing opportunities, call UAF Testing Services at 907-474-5277, or e-mail fytest@uaf.edu. - DANTES-DSST (Standardized Subject Tests)
DSST is a national testing program that offers exams in traditional academic, vocational/technical and business subject areas. Credit is awarded for successfully completing DANTES tests as recommended by the American Council on Education. Acceptance of the DANTES exam for a specific catalog course or as a major/minor requirement is subject to departmental approval. DSST exams cost $105 each (costs subject to change). To register for a DSST exam, call UAF Testing Services at 907-474-5277, or e-mail fytest@uaf.edu about the availability of DSST testing. - International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a two-year curriculum for students aged 16 to 19 and is similar to the final year of secondary school in Europe. UAF awards credit for IB higher-level exams on which students have earned a score of 4 or better. Students should submit an official copy of their IB exam results to the Office of Admissions. - UAF Credit by Exam
Credit by exam can be earned at UAF by students who are currently enrolled. Most courses are available for credit by exam, except those with numbers ending -90 through -99 (193, 292, 497, etc.). A course challenged for credit can not duplicate a course for which credit has already been granted credit or in which the student is currently enrolled. Credit by exam may not be requested for audited courses until one year has passed since the end of the semester in which the course was audited.
Credit by examination forms may be obtained online at www.uaf.edu/testing/, under UAF-Specific Tests, or at the Office of Testing Services in 211 Gruening. For more information on challenging a course call Testing Services at 907-474-5277.
The Academic Advising Center administers the credit for prior learning program, wherein students may earn credit based on learning they have obtained outside the classroom. Students can document the university-level learning they have gained through employment, volunteer service or other life experiences with a portfolio or copies of licenses and certificates earned. Certificate, associate or bachelor's degree students may earn up to 25 percent of total program requirements through the credit for prior learning program.
Credentials for admitted degree students who are currently enrolled are reviewed by faculty from participating departments who determine if this process is appropriate and make recommendations for awarding prior learning credit. Review is based on equivalency to courses listed in this catalog. Credit received for prior learning does not affect your GPA and is not considered residence credit.
The university will award transfer credit for specified national and state authorizations, certificates, credentials and/or examinations (see Transferring Credits, page 34) that do not need credit for prior learning review. For further information or assistance, contact the Academic Advising Center, 509 Gruening Building, 907-474-6396 or advising@uaf.edu. To access the credit for prior learning student handbook online, go to www.uaf.edu/advising/cpl/.
The Independent Learning Program, administered by the Center for Distance Education and Independent Learning, offers an alternative for people who seek a college education but cannot attend classes. The unique advantage of independent learning is its flexibility. Students select their own hours of study and work at their own pace in surroundings they choose. Independent learning offers the freedom to structure a personal academic schedule and continue educational progress, even when personal circumstances make it impossible to attend scheduled classes.
For UAF students, UAF independent learning courses count as residence credit. When a student enrolls in an independent learning course during the regular semester enrollment period and completes the course during the same semester, the course may be used to determine full-time/part-time status and eligibility for financial aid and scholastic action. The grade will average in your semester and cumulative GPAs.
When students enroll in an independent learning course at other times of the year, the credit and grade will not affect the credit load or semester GPA for any other semester enrollments but will be counted in cumulative totals. It's important to realize that enrollment in these year-based courses does not count toward current semester credit load, and therefore, is not included in determining full-time or part-time student status. The student's status (full- or part-time) can affect things like financial aid or athletics eligibility.
The Center for Distance Education and Independent Learning maintains a comprehensive website where policies regarding enrollment, transfer, withdrawal, extension, fees, materials and course descriptions may be found. A printed listing of courses and CDE policies may also be requested. Please contact the Center for Distance Education and Independent Learning at 2175 University Avenue South (Fairbanks), phone: 800-277-8060 or 907-479-3444, fax: 907-479-3443, e-mail: distance@uaf.edu or online at http://distance.uaf.edu.
The University of Alaska provides many possibilities for students to take distance-delivered courses. The campuses at Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, along with their community college networks, offer hundreds of courses using a variety of delivery modes. Opportunities for students who prefer distance-delivered courses can be found at the University of Alaska Distance Learning website at http://distance.alaska.edu.