Credit By Examination

Credit By Examination

Students may challenge courses by taking examinations developed at California State University, Chico. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully.

Credit for Non-Collegiate Instruction

Chico State grants undergraduate degree credit for successful completion of non-collegiate instruction, either military or civilian, appropriate to the baccalaureate degree, which has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Education. The numbers of units allowed are those recommended in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. See the Military Credit on the Chico State Veterans Education And Transition Services (VETS) website for more information.

Credit for Prior Learning

Chico State grants up to 30 units of credit for learning, knowledge, or skills-based experience that has been documented and evaluated according to campus policy. Students should be aware, however, that policies for earning credit for prior learning vary university to university in the CSU.

The chancellor's office announces the passing scores for external examinations that may receive university credit. See Course Credit Policies for complete information.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Chico State grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of three or better will be granted up to eight semester units (12 quarter units) of college credit. The number of units and how they meet specific academic content requirements are specified in the Advanced Placement Examinations Chart.

Advanced Placement Examinations Chart
(Minimum Score of 3 Required)

AP Exam Passing Score Credit (semester units) Meets this Chico GE area or course equivalent
Art-Studio Art/2D Design 3 3 ---
Art-Studio Art/3D Design 3 3 ---
Art-Studio Art/Drawing 3 3 ---
Art-Art History 3 6 Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2): ARTH 110, ARTH 120
Biology (includes lab) 3 8 Life Science (B2 with lab): BIOL 161 and BIOL 162, or BIOL/SCED 102
Calculus AB 3 4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4):1,2
Calculus BC 3 8 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4):1,2
Calculus AB Subscore on BC Exam 3 4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4):1,2
Chemistry (includes lab) 3 8 Physical Science (B1 with lab): CHEM 107
Chemistry (includes lab) 4 8 Physical Science (B1 with lab): CHEM 111
Chinese Language and Culture 3 6 Humanities (C2)1
Computer Science A (A only) 3 3 CSCI 1113
Computer Science A and B 3 6 CSCI 1113
Computer Science Principles 3 6 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4): CSCI 101
Economics—Macro 3 3 Social Sciences (D): ECON 102
Economics—Micro 3 3 Social Sciences (D): ECON 103
English—Language and Composition 3 6 Written Communication (A2): ENGL 130W
English—Literature and Composition 3 6 Written Communication (A2) and Humanities (C2): ENGL 130W
Environmental Science (includes lab) 3 4 Physical Science (B1 with lab)
French—Language and Culture 3 8 Humanities (C2): FREN 102, FREN 201
German—Language and Culture 3 8 Humanities (C2): GERM 102, GERM 201
Government and Politics—U.S. 3 3 Social Sciences (D) or US Constitution (US-2 only)4
Government and Politics—Comparative 3 3 Social Sciences (D)
History—European 3 6 Humanities (C2) or Social Sciences (D)
History—U.S. 3 6 Humanities (C2) or Social Sciences (D), U.S. History (US-1): HIST 130
History—World 3 3 Humanities (C2) or Social Sciences (D): HIST 102
Human Geography 3 3 Social Sciences (D): GEOG 102
Italian—Language and Culture 3 8 Humanities (C2): ITAL 102, ITAL 201
Japanese—Language and Culture 3 8 Humanities (C2): JAPN 102, JAPN 201
Latin 3 6 Humanities (C2)1
Music—Theory 3 6 1
Physics 1 (includes lab) 3 4 Physical Science (B1 with lab): PHYS 202A5
Physics 2 (includes lab) 3 4 Physical Science (B1 with lab): PHYS 202B5
Physics C—Mechanics (includes lab) 3 4 Physical Science (B1 with lab): PHYS 204A5
Physics C—Electricity & Magnetism (includes lab) 3 4 Physical Science (B1 with lab): PHYS 204B5
Precalculus 3 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Psychology 3 3 Social Sciences (D) or Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E): PSYC 101
Seminar 3 3 ---
Spanish—Language and Culture 3 8 Humanities (C2): SPAN 102, SPAN 201
Spanish—Literature and Culture 3 6 Humanities (C2): Spanish major/minor elective credit (3 units only)
Statistics 3 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4): MATH 105

 Either 3 or 6 units of credit will be allowed for all other exams and applied to meet lower-division breadth requirements as appropriate. 

1

Department requires formal assessment for placement into appropriate courses.

2

If both AP Calculus exams are passed, a maximum of 8 units will be awarded.

3

If both AP Computer Science exams are passed, a maximum of 6 units will be awarded.

4

Does not meet California state and local government content requirement.

5

If more than one AP Physics exam is passed, a maximum of 8 units will be awarded.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

As recommended by the California State University Chancellor’s Office, Chico State grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of specific Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate examinations. Students who present the following passing scores will be granted up to six semester units of credit for each exam applied to the appropriate General Education requirements. Consult the IB Chart for specific details.

International Baccalaureate Examinations Chart (Higher Level Exams only)

IB Exam (July 2001 version) Passing Score Credit (semester units) Meets this Chico GE area or course equivalent
Biology HL 5 6 Life Science (B2 with lab)
Chemistry HL 5 6 Physical Science (B1 with lab)
Economics HL 5 6 Social Sciences (D)
Geography HL 5 6 Social Sciences (D)
History (any region) HL 5 6 Humanities (C2) or Social Sciences (D)
History of the Americas HL 5 6 Social Sciences (D), HIST 130, GC
Language (any) A: Literature HL 4 6 Humanities (C2)
Language (English) A: Literature HL 4 6 Humanities (C2), GC
Language (any) A: Language and Literature HL 4 6 Humanities (C2)
Language (any) B HL 4 6 ---
Mathematics HL 4 6 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Mathematics HL: Analysis and Approaches 4 6 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Mathematics HL: Applications and Interpretation 4 6 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Physics HL 5 6 Physical Science (B1 with lab)
Psychology HL 5 3 Social Sciences (D) or Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)
Theatre HL 4 6 Arts (C1)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Chico State grants credit and/or fulfills requirements for certain CLEP Exams taken July 2001 or later as indicated in the chart below. For CLEP Exams taken prior to July 2001, consult a graduation advisor in Graduation Advising at 530-898-5957.

For more information about the CLEP visit the College Level Examination Program website.

College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) Chart

CLEP Exam (July 2001 version) Passing Score Credit (semester units) Meets this Chico GE area or course equivalent
Accounting, Principles of 50 3 1
American Government 50 3 Social Sciences (D)
American Literature 50 3 Humanities (C2)
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 50 3 Humanities (C2)
Biology 50 3 Life Science (B2 no lab)
Business Law, Intro 50 3 ---
Calculus 50 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Chemistry 50 3 Physical Science (B1 no lab)
College Algebra 50 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
College-Algebra-Trigonometry 50 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
College Composition 50 0 ---
College Composition - Freshman 50 0 ---
College Composition - Modular 50 0 ---
College Mathematics 50 0 ---
Educational Psychology, Intro 50 3 ---
English Composition (no essay) 50 0 ---
English Composition with Essay 50 0 ---
English Literature 50 3 ---
Financial Accounting 50 3 ---
French, Level I 50 6 ---2
French, Level II 59 9 Humanities (C2) 2
German, Level I 50 6 ---2
German, Level II 60 9 Humanities (C2)2
History, United States I 50 3 Social Sciences (D), U.S. History (US-1)
History, United States II 50 3 Social Sciences (D), U.S. History (US-1)
Human Growth and Development 50 3 Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)
Humanities 50 3 Humanities (C2)
Information Systems and Computer Applications 50 3 ---
Macroeconomics, Principles of 50 3 Social Sciences (D)
Management, Principles of 50 3 ---
Marketing, Principles of 50 3 ---
Microeconomics, Principles of 50 3 Social Sciences (D)
Natural Sciences 50 3 Physical Science (B1 no lab) or Life Science (B2 no lab)
Pre-Calculus 50 3 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
Psychology, Intro 50 3 Social Sciences (D) or Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)
Social Sciences and History 50 0 ---
Sociology, Intro 50 3 Social Sciences (D)
Spanish, Level I 50 6 ---2
Spanish, Level II 63 9 Humanities (C2)2
Spanish with Writing I 50 6 ---2
Spanish and Writing II 63 9 Humanities (C2)2
Western Civilization I 50 3 Humanities (C2) or Social Sciences (D)
Western Civilization II 50 3 Social Sciences (D)
1

Contact the Accounting Department for course equivalents.

2

If more than one exam in the same language other than English is passed, a maximum of 9 units will be awarded.

There are some limits to the amount of credit that will be granted for results on external examinations. First, no more than 30 semester units of such credit may count toward degree requirements. Credit for Advanced Placement examinations is not included in this limit. Where credit has already been awarded at the equivalent or at a more advanced level, additional credit shall not be awarded. Where partial overlap exists, credit in the amounts indicated above will be reduced accordingly.

Credit by examination is not considered residence credit for purposes of residency requirements for the bachelor's degree.