2020 Credit by Exam Policy
University of Richmond students can bring in no more than seven units of credit, including credit by examination and transfer credit, towards the units required for their degree. Work taken through other institutions prior to initial enrollment is evaluated on an individual basis and may require information in addition to the official transcript. Not all departments will accept work taken as a part of a high school program even if the work appears on the transcript of an accredited institution. The University of Richmond offers several credit by examination options which are described below.
Credit earned by examination may be used to satisfy requirements in the same manner as the college courses which the tests replace, or as the academic department concerned might specify. Like transfer work, credit earned by examination will not be awarded for the same course more than once. Exemption from a course based on an examination score will meet an individual requirement but will not be eligible for the transfer of credit. Please refer to the undergraduate academic catalog for more information on specific requirements. Please note that this Credit by Examination Policy is effective as of March 2020 and is subject to change.
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
The following list includes the AP examinations, scores for which the University of Richmond offers the transfer of credit or exemption, the equivalent course, and the requirement applied. Official AP scores must be sent directly from the College Board to the University of Richmond (college code 5569) before credit may be applied towards a program of study. These tests must be taken prior to initial collegiate enrollment. Additional information about AP exams may be found on the College Board website.
| AP Examination | Score | Units | URCourse Equivalent | General Ed. Requirement Applied | |
| Art History | 5 | 1.0 | Art 100-level elective *See the Visual and Media Arts Practice and Art History Department Chair about receiving credit for either ARTH 121 or ARTH 122. | Not applicable | |
| Biology | 4-5 | 1.0 | BIOL 120 | FSNB | |
| Calculus AB | 3-5 | 1.0 | MATH 211 | FSSR | |
| Calculus BC (For AB subscores, refer to the Calculus AB information above.) | 3 | 1.0 | MATH 211 | FSSR | |
| Calculus BC (For AB subscores, refer to the Calculus AB information above.) | 4-5 | 2.0 | MATH 211 & 212 | FSSR | |
| Chemistry | 4 | 1.0 | CHEM 901 | FSNC | |
| Chemistry | 5 | 1.0 | CHEM 141 | FSNC | |
| Comparative Government | 4-5 | 1.0 | PLSC 240 | FSSA | |
| Computer Science A | 3 4-5 |
0.0 1.0 |
Exempt from CMSC 150 as a prerequisite to enroll in CMSC 221 CMSC 150 FSSR |
||
| Computer Science Principles | 4 5 |
1.0 1.0 |
CMSC 901 Not applicable CMSC 105 FSSR |
||
| English Language |
5 | 1.0 | ENGL 100-level elective | Not applicable | |
| English Literature | 4-5 | 1.0 | ENGL 200-level elective | FSLT | |
| Environmental Science | 4-5 | 1.0 | BIOL 108 | FSNB | |
| European History | 4 | 1.0 | HIST - General Elective | Not applicable | |
| European History | 5 | 1.0 | HIST 100-level elective | FSHT | |
| French, German, Italian, Japanese or Chinese (Language or Literature) | 3 4-5 |
0.0 1.0 |
Exemption Only 202 or 221 |
COM2 COM2 |
|
| Latin | 4-5 | 1.0 | LATN 202 | COM2 | |
| Macroeconomics | 5 | 1.0 | ECON 102 | Not applicable | |
| Microeconomics | 5 | 1.0 | ECON 101 | FSSA | |
| Music Theory | 4-5 | 0.0 | Exemption Only MUS 109 |
Not applicable | |
| Physics 1 | 4-5 | 1.0 | PHYS 127 | FSNP | |
| Physics 2 | 4-5 | 1.0 | PHYS 128 | FSNP | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4-5 | 1.0 | PHYS 131 | FSNP | |
| Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 4-5 | 1.0 | PHYS 132 | FSNP | |
| Psychology | 4-5 | 1.0 | PSYC 100 | FSSA | |
| Spanish (Language or Literature) |
3 4-5 |
0.0 1.0 |
Exemption only 221 |
COM2 COM2 |
|
| Statistics | 4-5 | 1.0 | MATH 999 | Not applicable | |
| Studio Art 2-D Design | 5 | 1.0 | See the Visual and Media Arts Practice and Art History Department Chair and submit your portfolio for specific course credit. Credit awarded for 100-level courses only (introductory courses). | ||
| Studio Art 3-D Design | 5 | 1.0 | See the Visual and Media Arts Practice and Art History Department Chair and submit your portfolio for specific course credit. Credit awarded for 100-level courses only (introductory courses). | ||
| Studio Art Drawing | 5 | 1.0 | See the Visual and Media Arts Practice and Art History Department Chair and submit your portfolio for specific course credit. Credit awarded for 100-level courses only (introductory courses). | ||
| U.S. Government | 4-5 | 1.0 | PLSC 220 | Not applicable | |
| U.S. History | 4 | 1.0 | HIST - General Elective | Not applicable | |
| U.S. History | 5 | 1.0 | HIST 100-level elective | FSHT | |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The University of Richmond recognizes Higher Level exams only in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The following list includes the appropriate IB subject exams and scores approved by the academic department concerned to receive credit for the following equivalent courses and requirements. Official test results must be sent directly from the IB Organization to the University of Richmond before credit may be applied towards a program of study. Additional information about the IB exams may be found on their website.
| IB Higher Level Subject Exam | Scores | Units | URCourse Equivalent | General Ed. Requirement Applied |
| English (A) | 6-7 | 1.0 | ENGL 100-level elective | Not Applicable |
| Second Language (B): French, German, Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese | 5-7 | 1.0 | 202 or 221 | COM2 |
| Second Language (B): All languages other than English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese | 5-7 | 1.0 | LLC elective | COM2 |
| Spanish (B) |
5-7 | 1.0 | 221 | COM2 |
| Languages (A) | 5-7 | 1.0 | LLC elective | COM2 |
| Biology | 5-7 | 1.0 | BIOL 120 | FSNB |
| Business & Management | 5-7 | 1.0 | BUAD-general elective | Not applicable |
| Chemistry | 5-7 | 1.0 | CHEM 141 | FSNC |
| Economics | 6-7 | 2.0 | ECON 101-102 | FSSA |
| Film Studies | 5-7 | 1.0 | For consideration of specific course credit, please see the Film Studies coordinator. | |
| Greek | 5-7 | 1.0 | GREK 202 | COM2 |
| All IB Histories | 5-7 | 1.0 | HIST 100-level elective | FSHT |
| Latin | 5-7 | 1.0 | LATN 202 | COM2 |
| Mathematics | 6-7 | 1.0 | MATH 211 | FSSR See Math and Computer Science Department Chair with your syllabus for information about additional course credit. |
| Computer Science | 6-7 | 1.0 | See Computer Science Department Chair for information about this requirement and specific course credit. | |
| Music | 5-7 | Exemption Only MUS 109 0.0 |
||
| Philosophy | 5-7 | 1.0 | See Philosophy Department Chair for information about this requirement and specific course credit. | |
| Physics | 6-7 | 2.0 | PHYS 127-128 | FSNP |
| Psychology | 5-7 | 1.0 | PSYC 100 | FSSA |
| Theatre | 5-7 | 1.0 | See Theatre Department Chair and submit your: portfolio/individual project/research commission/practical play analysis for specific course credit. | |
Each policy includes an explanation of IB, AP, and CLEP exams as well as international exams/certificates accepted by the University of Richmond. Please note: This policy applies to the undergraduate divisions of the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Leadership Studies only. The School of Professional Continuing Studies policy on Credit by Examination may vary.
Transfer Work from Another Institution
University of Richmond students may not transfer in more than seven units of credit towards the units required for a degree (work taken on approved study abroad, visiting-away, and cross registration programs does not count towards this limit). Credit in transfer may be accepted only for courses which are comparable to courses offered in the School of Arts and Sciences, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, and/or Robins School of Business curriculum at the University of Richmond. Moreover, the coursework must have been taken at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or the international equivalent at the time the work was taken, and a grade or equivalent of C (2.0) or better must have been earned.
Work taken through other institutions prior to initial enrollment is evaluated on an individual basis. Many departments will not accept work taken as a part of a high school program (also known as dual enrollment) even if transcripted by an accredited institution. The departments of biology, chemistry, economics, English, geography, history, Latin American and Iberian studies, math/computer science, languages, literatures, and cultures (modern second languages), philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology do not accept transfer credit for work taken as part of a high school program; other departments review such work on a case-by-case basis. In order for work taken at another institution to be evaluated for transfer credit, the University of Richmond must receive an official transcript mailed directly from the institution at which the work was completed. The student must also complete the Transfer Work Certification form.
If work taken elsewhere is transferable, the units or equivalent as earned at the other institution will transfer. Coursework accepted in transfer shall be applied to specific degree requirements subject to the discretion of the academic department concerned. Units awarded are added into units required for graduation, but grades are not calculated in the grade point average.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is administered by the College Board and offers recognized exams that are designed for students to demonstrate mastery of a subject at the college level. A student may not receive credit by CLEP examination for a college course in which a failing grade was earned, for course work in which college credit has already been awarded by the University of Richmond, or in a repeat attempt to receive credit. Certain departments may decline to accept credit for CLEP subjects in lower level course work if acceptable credit has already been earned for more advanced work in the discipline.
A minimum CLEP score of 50 demonstrates course mastery for each exam discipline, and is their recommended credit-granting score for the computerized testing format. The departments which have approved accepting CLEP subject exams with the minimum score of 50 are listed below. In addition to the test score, a departmental review may be required as published below. Credit earned through CLEP examinations is treated as transfer work. The credit is recorded on the permanent record in units but neither grades nor quality points are given; therefore, these credits do not affect a student's grade point average.
The Office of the University Registrar handles the evaluation of CLEP test results. Any student may become eligible for this evaluation by providing the University with the results and, if required, the essay portion of the test in question. The exam scores must be sent directly from the College Board to the University of Richmond (college code 5569). Information about the administration of these exams and testing locations may be found on their website.
CLEP Subject Examinations
The following table lists information for acceptable tests. CLEP subject tests not listed below may be evaluated on an individual basis.
| Subject Exam | Minimum Score* | Units | URCourse Equivalent | General Ed. Requirement Applied |
| Chemistry | 50 | 1.0 | CHEM 141 | FSNC |
| Macroeconomics | 50 | 1.0 | ECON 102 | Not applicable |
| Microeconomics | 50 | 1.0 | ECON 101 | FSSA |
| Psychology | 50 | 1.0 | PSYC 100 | FSSA |
Notes:
* Credit shall be awarded if a score of 50 or above is achieved on the computerized test, for manual testing the ACE recommended minimum score is required.
Credit by Local Examination
Credit by local examination will be granted according to the following policy:
- Each department will determine which of its courses may receive credit by local examination, and if this will be applied towards particular requirements.
- Entering students may take the current examinations for exemptions or proficiency. After consultation with faculty advisors, they may then elect to take another examination for credit. Currently enrolled students may take the local examinations at any time they are scheduled.
- A student may not take the same local examination more than once, nor for a course in which the student has received a failing grade. A student may not take a local examination for a lower level course in a sequence when a more advanced course within the sequence has been taken.
- Local examinations for credit will be on a credit with no grade basis.
- No more than seven units towards a degree may be earned by any combination of credit by examination and/or transfer work.
- The local examination will be more comprehensive than a regular final examination, and it may include such additional materials as lab techniques, oral proficiency, etc.
| COURSES AVAILABLE FOR CREDIT BY LOCAL EXAMINATION | ||
| Subject | Course | Gen Ed. |
| Music | Exemption Only MUS 109 |
Not applicable |
| Philosophy | PHIL 251 | FSSR |
Exemption by Examination
An exemption means that a student does not have to complete a course or courses to fulfill a particular requirement for their degree and/or does not have to fulfill the course in order to take upper level coursework in the appropriate subject. However, an exemption does not constitute the transfer of credit and the student must still obtain the required number of earned units in order to graduate. Please refer to the undergraduate catalog for the number of units required for a specified degree program. In addition to the exemptions based on AP examination scores, the University of Richmond offers the following exemptions based on the following test.
| Test | Score | Units[1] | URCourse Equivalent | Gen Ed. Requirement Applied |
| DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) |
B1 or B2 proficiency | 0.0 | FREN 221 | COM2 |
| SAT II (Language or Listening) |
630 or higher | 0.0 | Varies-Meets the final intermediate level of the specified language | COM2 |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language) | Non-native English speakers submitting TOEFL scores are exempt from COM2 | 0.0 | Varies | COM2 |
International Examinations
General Certificate of Education
The examinations for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) are tests in individual subjects for students completing secondary and pre-university studies in a British based educational system. The University of Richmond may award elective units for most examinations, provided the examination was taken at the Advanced Level (AS/A2), the student earned a pass of C or better, and the examination is part of the Richmond curriculum.
Upon departmental recommendation, a student with an acceptable score may earn one, and no more than two, semesters of elective credit for each A-level examination. One semester’s credit may be awarded for an AS-level examination in certain subjects, while two semesters' credit may be awarded for an A2-level examination in certain subjects. *Please note that certain subjects receive a maximum of one unit. See the chart below for guidelines which pertain to certain subjects:
| Subject | Score | Units | Course credit for AS Examination | Course credit for A2 Examination | Gen Ed. Requirement Applied |
| *Biology | C or above | 1 | BIOL 901 | FSNB | |
| *Chemistry | A | 1 | CHEM 141 | FSNC | |
| Economics | C or above | 1-2 | ECON 101 | ECON 102 | FSSA for ECON 101 |
| *French | C or above | 1 | FREN 221 | COM2 | |
| History | B or above | 1-2 | HIST 901 | HIST 901 | FSHT |
| History | C | 1-2 | HIST 999 | HIST 998 | Not applicable |
| *Marine Science | C or above | 1 | BIOL 901 | FSNB | |
| Math | B or above | 1-2 | MATH 211 | MATH 999 | FSSR |
| *Physics | B or above | 1 | PHYS 131 | FSNP | |
| *Physics | C | 1 | PHYS 999 | Not applicable | |
| *Spanish | C or above | 1 | LAIS 221 | COM2 |
Because it is difficult to obtain the official GCE examination results directly, the student needs to present the Registrar's Office his or her original GCE certificates as issued by the examining board. The Registrar's Office will make a copy of the original certificates for its records, and the student will keep the originals. If the authenticity of the original certificates is questionable, an official letter confirming the examination results should be sent directly from the appropriate examining board directly to the Registrar's Office.
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations
The examinations for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) are tests in individual subjects for students completing secondary and pre-university studies in a Caribbean-based educational system. The University of Richmond may award elective units for most examinations with a grade of THREE or better, provided the examination was taken at the 1- or 2-unit level and the examination is part of the Richmond curriculum. Upon departmental recommendation, a student with an acceptable score may earn one semester of elective credit for each examination.
French Baccalaureate
The examinations for the French Baccalaureate are tests in individual subjects for students completing secondary and pre-university studies in a French based educational system. The University of Richmond will award 1 elective unit for most examinations in subjects with a coefficient of 4-5 and a grade of 12 or higher, and 2 units of elective credit for most subjects with a coefficient of 6 or above and a grade of 12 or higher (science subjects receive one unit). Once in residence, students may request a review of the content of their examinations for specified course equivalencies and requirements.
The student needs to present the Registrar's Office their original certificate (Diplome de Baccalaureate) and examination results. The Registrar's Office will make their official copy of the original certificates for its records and the student will keep the originals. If the authenticity of the original certificates is questionable, an official letter confirming the examination results should be sent directly from the appropriate examining board directly to the Registrar's Office.
Other Exams
This information is subject to change.
Contact the Office of the University Registrar for updates. All examination scores or transcripts should be sent to the following address:
Office of the University Registrar
Queally Center
University of Richmond
142 UR Drive
Richmond, VA 23173