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Holy Family

Credit for Non-Traditional Learning

Holy Family University recognizes and awards up to 30 credits for each or any combination of the following non-traditional programs. These credits are included in the maximum number of 75 credits eligible for transfer toward degree completion.

Challenge Examinations – With the permission of the respective School Dean and notification of the Registrar, students who have acquired knowledge and skills in non-traditional ways may receive credit through challenge examinations. These are tests formulated by the instructor and made available in certain schools. These tests may be written or oral, or a combination of both, and are designed to ascertain that the student possesses the basic equivalent knowledge and skill as a student who successfully completes the course.

The following restrictions apply to challenge examinations:

  • No more than 30 credits may be earned through challenge examinations
  • Not all courses are available on a challenge basis
  • Preparation for challenge examinations must be done independently; students may not audit the respective course.

Students who have received permission to take a challenge examination must:

  • Register for the challenge examination before the conclusion of the semester drop/add period.
  • Pay the non-refundable fee of 1/3 credit hour charge.

The student will receive a Pass/NG grade for each examination. These grades do not carry quality points and are not reflected in the cumulative average. If any challenge examination is failed, the student must take the course in order to receive credit.

Students will initiate the request to take a challenge examination by completing the Challenge Examination Request Form in the Dean’s office in which the course is located.

College Level Examination Programs (CLEP/DSST Program) – The option to challenge courses through the College Level Examination Program or the DSST Program is available. It is advisable, however, to consult first with an academic advisor regarding the subjects, the number of credits, and the scores that the University will accept through these examinations. Credit is awarded by transcript entry only after the student has been matriculated at Holy Family with a GPA of 2.0 or above. At the time of this examination, arrangements should be made to have official scores forwarded to the Academic Advising Center. The School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions uses the ACT-PEP examination to validate prior knowledge.

Non-Collegiate Training – Holy Family subscribes to the recommendations of the American Council on Education for college credits earned through the training programs offered and/or sponsored by non-collegiate training programs that have been evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education’s National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. Such credit will be considered as equal to credits earned at other accredited colleges and universities and accepted through transfer by Holy Family University.