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Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS)
Alternative Ways to Receive Credit
Franklin Pierce University
recognizes the value
of learning that has been accomplished both non-traditionally and
traditionally for college credit toward our degree programs. There are
several methods by which one can receive college credit for prior
learning, including transfer from accredited institutions, CLEP, LEAP, and
ACE.The total number of credits that may be awarded from transfer, ACE,
CLEP and LEAP is 75. Students should consult with an academic advisor
to determine credit options.
Transfer from Accredited Institutions
Students wishing to transfer credits previously taken from another
regionally accredited college or university must request an official
transcript from each institution. Download a transcript release form here.
This form should be signed and mailed to the school in question. Only
official transcripts, forwarded to the appropriate campus, will be
accepted for credit evaluation. Students may enroll before all transcripts
are received. All transcripts must be received within four months of
enrollment. The Registrar’s Office will complete an official evaluation
after all transcripts are received. Official notification of transfer
evaluation results normally occurs within 90 days of receipt of all prior
transcripts and American Council of Education credit recommendations,
e.g., military credit recommendations.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students may earn credit through the College-Level Examination Program.
CLEP must be taken within the first year. CLEP may not be awarded in
disciplines where students have had prior course work. CLEP is designed to
measure an individual’s knowledge in traditional academic areas. The
examinations are offered in five general areas: English Composition,
Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Science/History, and Humanities. In
addition, fifty specific subject examinations in such areas as U.S.
History, Management, and Accounting are also offered. Information on the
CLEP program is available at your campus office or on the web at
Collegeboard.com. Test results are processed as transfer credit.
Official results should be forwarded to your campus office. Maximum credit
awarded through CLEP is 30 semester hours.
Life Experience Advancement Program (LEAP)
LEAP is designed to help students analyze the knowledge they have
accumulated through non-credit classroom experience, work-related
experience, and informal experience, such as community service or
self-study skills. It is important to note that credit is not granted for
the life experience itself, but rather for the learning that has resulted.
In order to receive credit, a student must prepare a Life Experience
Advancement Program Portfolio as described in the Franklin Pierce University
LEAP Student Handbook. This handbook describes each type of qualified
learning experience in detail and provides step-by-step instructions for
documentation. The interdisciplinary Life Experience Advancement Program
Review Board of Franklin Pierce University
evaluates a portfolio. Normally,
notification of credit awarded occurs within 60 days.
Students are required to attend a LEAP workshop at one of our campuses or
online. These workshops outline the assessment process and the preparation
of a portfolio.
The portfolio must be
submitted within the first 12 months of a student’s enrollment at the
College.
There is no fee for having
your first LEAP Portfolio analyzed. The fee for credit awarded varies
depending upon the type of learning experiences being evaluated. A full
outline of per credit charges can be found in the current LEAP Student
Handbook.
Students who are interested in this program should meet with their campus
counselor to discuss the LEAP program in more detail. Maximum credit
awarded through LEAP is 45 semester hours. Audited FP
courses may not
count as LEAP credit.
LEAP workshops are held each month at one of our six campus locations.
Click here for the LEAP workshop
schedule.
American Council on Education (ACE)
The American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated and recommended for
credit many of the training programs conducted by the Armed Services,
major industries, and professional associations. Franklin Pierce University
will award credit for programs listed in the ACE guides. These guides are
available at your campus office. Maximum credit awarded through ACE is 45
semester hours.
Study at Other Institutions
Once enrolled in a degree program at Franklin Pierce College, students are
expected to complete all course work in residence. Permission to take
courses at other institutions and to transfer them back to the College
will be granted only under extenuating circumstances. A student should
consult with the Campus Director for proper procedure prior to taking
courses outside the College. The Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
is responsible for final determination. |
