This is a test site. For the most accurate information, visit csumb.edu

Policy

Procedures for Challenge Exams (CRE) and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Students may not challenge or request PLA for a course that is a prerequisite to a course for which academic credit has already been granted. Further, a student may not elect to challenge or request PLA for a course for which any grade (including F, WU, IC, NC, or AU) was received in a previous semester, for which academic renewal has been granted, or for which a prior challenge or request for PLA has been unsuccessful.

Departments may develop and provide challenge exams for major and elective courses. Courses available for challenge shall be identified in the catalog. Only undergraduate courses may be made available for challenge exam. Additionally, courses meeting GE requirement are not available for challenge, but are for PLA.

Only matriculated students may request challenge exam or prior learning assessment credit.

Challenge Exams

The student must be currently enrolled in courses other than the one(s) to be challenged. No fee is charged for these examinations. Exact times and places of the examination are announced by the departments. Students who wish to take an examination should consult with the department office well in advance. Not all exams are available all terms.

  1. Student submits a Request for Credit by Assessment form to the department no later than 1 week prior to the first day of the term in which the course is offered. If denied assessment, student may register for the course. If approved for assessment, department requests assessment course be created and schedules exam for students.
  2. Academic Scheduling creates the course based on the department request.
  3. Department/Faculty contact student(s) to scheduled exam. Exam must be administered and graded prior to the end of the first week of the term in which the exam is requested.
  4. Faculty grade exams and record credit earned information for department records. All Request for Credit by Assessment forms are maintained by the department.
  5. Department submits** copy of the Request for Credit by Assessment forms to office of Registrar, with grade noted, by the add/drop deadline for the term in which the exam is requested.
  6. Registrar's Office will process the form and:
    1. Enroll students in CBA/EXAM section, add challenge exam transcript note of the CRE, and post grade of CR for students with earned exam credit.
    2. No enrollment processed for students not passing exam.
    3. Scan form to student record.

Credit for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

The student may request prior learning assessment; the department may not be able to provide for review in the term requested. Fees may be charged for prior learning assessment. Exact form, function, and scheduling of the prior learning assessment are determined by the departments. Students who wish to request prior learning assessment should consult with the department office well in advance.

  1. Student submits Request for Credit by Assessment form to the department no later than 1 week prior to the first day of the term in which they would like to complete prior learning assessment. If denied assessment, student may register for the course. If approved for assessment, department requests assessment course be created and coordinates assessment activity.
  2. Academic Scheduling creates the course based on department request.
  3. Department/Faculty contacts student to coordinate PLA activity. PLA activity must be completed and graded prior to grades due deadline of the term in which the exam is requested.
  4. Department submits copy of Request for Credit by Assessment form to Office of Registrar by add/drop deadline for the term in which PLA is requested.
    1. Registrar's Office will enroll students in CBA/PLA section as requested and add prior learning transcript note of PLA.
  5. Faculty grade PLA and record credit earned information for department records. All Requests for Credit by Assessment forms are maintained by the department.
  6. Department submits** a second copy of Request for Credit by Assessment form, with grade noted, to Office of Registrar by the grades due deadline for the term in which PLA is requested.
  7. Registrar's Office will process the forms and:
    1. Post grade of CR for students with earned PLA credit;
    2. Drop student from section for students not receiving PLA credit;
    3. Scan form to student record.

**Since the Request for Credit by Assessment form will contain a grade, it must be submitted in person to Registrar's Office, with photo ID.