Revised: December 2, 1999
This memorandum supercedes College Policies and Procedures Memoranda
No. 78 issued on December 21, 1972, and No. 98 issued on November 8, 1976.
Students currently registered at the College may apply for a special
examination given at the prerogative of the department offering the course
for which the student desires credit. This form of credit by examination
is available for students who have knowledge attained through professional
experience, independent study or similar learning experience identical to
or comparable with subjects and courses taught at Community College of
Philadelphia.
- A student must be currently registered in the College.
- The student must be eligible to take the course for credit under
existing regulations of the College. The course for which credit is
requested must be listed in the College Catalog.
- Credit by Examination is administered by the department offering the
course. If the student's performance is deemed satisfactory by the
department faculty and approval of the credit is granted by the Vice
President for Academic Affairs and Division Dean, the credits for the
course but no letter grade will be entered on the student's academic record.
A fee must be paid prior to taking the examination.
- Credit achieved by examination will not be applicable to the meeting of
such credit load requirements as scholastic honors or residence requirements
for graduation.
- An examination for credit may be taken only once for each course.
- A fee shall be assessed for each test and paid prior to the time the
student takes the examination, and the student shall present a receipt for
this fee at the time that he/she takes the examination.
- When a student successfully completes all requirements for credit, the
course for which credit by examination is applicable shall be posted on the
student's transcript, indicating "credit by exam."
- Degrees will be granted only to students who have earned at least 30 of
the credit hours in residence, not including credit by examination.
- The maximum number of credits by examination allowable toward a
certificate shall not exceed one-half of the total number of credits
required for the certificate.
In addition, in certain selected courses, Community College of
Philadelphia awards academic credit on the basis of acceptable scores on
certain testing programs, such as ACT/PEP (American College Testing/Proficiency
Examination Program), APP (Advanced Placement Program) and CLEP (College
Level Examination Program). A student must be enrolled in order to receive
credit by any such testing program. In order to graduate from the College,
the student must complete at least 30 credits of actual course work.