NSU Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Oct 04, 2024  
NSU Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Credit by Validation



The South Dakota Board of Regents and its universities encourage students to take advantage of opportunities available to them to earn college credit. (BOR Policy 2.2.2.1) These opportunities can reduce the cost of a college education by reducing the number of courses a student must take to complete a degree. Nationally recognized exams include AP (Advanced Placement Program), CLEP (College Level Examination Program), DANTES, and IB (International Baccalaureate). Other options include Institutional Exam, prior learning portfolios, and Placement Credit for Foreign Languages. Credits earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations are not allowed:

  1. To exceed 30 credits for baccalaureate degrees
  2. To exceed 15 credits for associate degrees

Credit by Validation is not allowed:

  1. If the student previously visited or is currently registered for the class
  2. For any graduate level courses
  3. If the student previously completed the course for collegiate credit (may repeat “w” grades only)

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Entering freshman students who have completed an advanced placement course in high school and who have taken and successfully passed appropriate College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement test with a score of three (3), four (4), or five (5) may receive course credit. Request that official score reports are mailed to Northern State University for evaluation. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at advanced placement guidelines. If the student successfully completes the examination, the permanent record will show “Credit by Examination” with a grade of “EX”. No entry will be made on a permanent record if the examination is failed.

Contact the Testing Center for information about the testing program, test dates and fees. Phone (605)-626-2029.

   Advanced Placement Guidelines for Regental Institutions
   Acceptance of credit is governed by BOR policy 2.2.2.1 Transfer of Credit.
   Minimum Scores Credit Hours Course Prefix Course Number(s) System General Education Requirement
History of Art          
  NSU 3 3 ARTH 211   Yes
Studio Art - Drawing Portfolio          
  NSU 3 3 ART 111   Yes
Studio Art - General Portfolio          
  NSU 3 3 ART 121   Yes
Biology          
  NSU 3-4 4 BIOL 151 /151L   Yes
    5 8 BIOL 151 /151L  & 153 /153L   Yes
Chemistry          
  NSU 3-4 4 CHEM 112 /112L   Yes
    5 8 CHEM 112 /112L  & 114 /114L   Yes
Computer Science A          
  NSU 3 4 MIS 150   No
Computer Science Principles        
  NSU 3 3 CSC 100T No
Economics: Macroeconomics          
  NSU 3 3 ECON 202   Yes
Economics: Microeconomics          
  NSU 3 3 ECON 201   Yes
English Language & Composition          
  NSU 3 3 ENGL 101   Yes
English Literature & Composition         
  NSU 3 3 ENGL 210   Yes
Environmental Science          
  NSU 3 3 BIOL ELECTIVE No
French Language & Culture        
  NSU 3 3 FREN 202 A No
    4,5 6 FREN 202  & 392A No
Human Geography          
  NSU 3 3 GEOG 200   Yes
German Language & Culture        
  NSU 3 3 GLAN 202 A No
    4,5 6 GLAN 202  & 392A No
Government & Politics - Comparative         
  NSU 3 3 POLS 141 Yes
Government & Politics - United States          
  NSU 3 3 POLS 100   Yes
History - European         
  NSU 3 3 HIST 122   Yes
History - United States          
  NSU 3-4 3 HIST 151   Yes
    5 6 HIST 151  & 152   Yes
Latin Literature         
  NSU 3 8 LATI 101  and 102 Yes
    4 11 LATI 101 , 102, and 201 Yes*
    5 14 LATI 101 , 102, 201, and 202 Yes*
Latin - Vergil          
  NSU 3 8 LATI 101  and 102 Yes
    4 11 LATI 101 , 102, and 201 Yes*
    8 14 LATI 101 , 102, 201, and 202 Yes*
Mathematics - Calculus AB         
  NSU 3 4 MATH 123   Yes
Mathematics - AB Subscore on the BC Calculus         
  NSU 3 4 MATH 123   Yes
Mathematics - Calculus BC          
  NSU 3 8 MATH 123  & 125   Yes/Yes
Music Theory2        
  NSU 5 4 MUS 110   Yes
Physics 1: Algebra-Based        
  NSU 3 4 PHYS 111 /111L   Yes
Physics 2: Algebra-Based        
  NSU 3 4 PHYS 113 /113L   Yes
Physics C: Mechanism     No Credit  
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism     No Credit  
Precalculus        
  NSU 3 5 MATH 115   Yes
Psychology          
  NSU 3 3 PSYC 101   Yes
Spanish Language & Culture        
  NSU 3 3 SPAN 202 A No
    4, 5 6 SPAN 202  & 392A No
Spanish Literature & Culture        
  NSU 3 3 SPAN 202 A No
    4, 5 6 SPAN 202  & 335A No
Statistics         
  NSU 3 3 MATH 281   Yes
World History - Modern4        
  NSU 3 3 HIST 112   Yes
             

NOTE: “No Credit” indicates that the South Dakota public university system does Not grant college credit for student performance on this examination. South Dakota public university system will only accept Advanced Placements scores recorded within five years from the time a student seeks credit by examination. Advanced Placement examinations do Not meet the globalization or writing intensive requirements.

A Retroactive credits for 101, 102, and 201may be earned if an appropriate upper-division course is completed with a grade of “C” or above.

* Only LATI 101  & 102 are System General Education Requirements LATI 201 & 202 do not count as System General Education Requirements.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides an opportunity to earn college credit for college level achievements without the benefit of transcripted college credit or to validate coursework or experience otherwise not acceptable as transfer. College credit is awarded for satisfactory performance on the CLEP subject examinations per the South Dakota Board of Regents policy. CLEP tests may be retaken only following a lapse of three (3) months. CLEP examinations do not meet the globalization or writing intensive requirements. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at CLEP guidelines. If the student successfully completes the examination, the permanent record will show “Credit by Examination” with a grade of “EX”. No entry will be made on a permanent record if the examination is failed. Contact the Testing Center for information about the testing program, test dates and fees. Phone (605)-626-2029.

CLEP exams may be taken to repeat an F grade, but F will still count in gpa.

 

  CLEP Guidelines
Scores acceptable for the granting of college credit within the SD public university system
  Acceptance of credit is governed by BOR policy 2.2.2.1 Transfer of Credit.
    Course Information General Education
   Score Credit Prefix(s) Number Requirement
American Government          
  NSU 50 3 POLS 100   Yes
American Literature - No Credit          
Analyzing & Interpreting Lit. - No Credit          
Biology          
  NSU 50 8 BIOL 151 /151L  & 153 /153L   Yes
Business Law, Introductory           
  NSU 50 3 BADM 350   No
Calculus          
  NSU 50 4 MATH 123   Yes
Chemistry          
  NSU 50 8 CHEM 112 /112L  & 114 /114L   Yes
College Algebra           
  NSU 50 3 MATH 114   Yes
College Mathematics        
  NSU 50 4 MATH 103 /103L Yes
College Composition Modular (Without Essay)        
  NSU 50 3 ENGL 101   Yes
College Composition - Modular (With Essay) - No Credit          
College Composition (With Essay)          
  NSU 50 3 ENGL 101   Yes
Education Psychology, Intro. to - No Credit          
English Literature - No Credit          
Financial Accounting          
  NSU 50 3 ACCT 210   No
History of United States I2          
  NSU 60 3 HIST 151   Yes
History of United States II3          
  NSU 60 3 HIST 152   Yes
Human Growth & Development          
  NSU 50 3 EPSY/PSYC 327/325   No
Humanities - No Credit          
Information Systems          
  NSU 50 3 MIS 105 Yes
Language - French1          
  NSU 50 8 FREN 101  & 102   Yes
    60 14 FREN 101 , 102 , 201  & 202   Yes
Language - German          
  NSU 50 8 GLAN 101  & 102   Yes
    60 14 GLAN 101 , 102 , 201  & 202   Yes
Language - Spanish          
  NSU 50 8 SPAN 101  & 102   Yes
    63 14 SPAN 101 , 102 , 201  & 202   Yes
Macroeconomics, Principles of          
  NSU 50 3 ECON 202   Yes
Management, Principles of          
  NSU 50 3 BADM 360   No
Marketing, Principles of          
  NSU 50 3 BADM 370   No
Microeconomics, Principles of          
  NSU 50 3 ECON 201   Yes
Natural Sciences - No Credit          
Precalculus          
  NSU 50 5 MATH 115   Yes
Psychology, Introductory          
  NSU 50 3 PSYC 101   Yes
Social Science and History - No Credit          
Spanish with Writing - No Credit          
Sociology, Introductory          
  NSU 50 3 SOC 100   Yes
Western Civilization I4          
  NSU 60 3 HIST 121   Yes
Western Civilization II5          
  NSU 60 3 HIST 122   Yes

NOTE: “No Credit” indicates that the South Dakota public university system does not grant college credit for student performance on this examination. South Dakota public university system will only accept CLEP scores recorded within five years from the time a student seeks credit by examination. CLEP examinations do not meet the writing intensive requirements.

1 Students receiving a score of 59 or higher on the French Language exam are able to earn credit for FREN 201  & FREN 202  until the start of the Fall 2022 semester. After the start of the Fall 2022 semester, students must earn a score of 60 or higher to earn credit for FREN 201  & FREN 202 .

2 Students receiving a score of 50 or higher on the History of the United States I exam are able to earn credit for HIST 151  until the start of the Fall 2022 semester. After the start of the Fall 2022 semester, students must earn a score of 60 or higher to earn credit for HIST 151 .

3 Students receiving a score of 50 or higher on the History of the United States II exam are able to earn credit for HIST 152  until the start of the Fall 2022 semester. After the start of the Fall 2022 semester, students must earn a score of 60 or higher to earn credit for HIST 152 .

4 Students receiving a score of 50 or higher on the Western Civilization I exam are able to earn credit for HIST 121  until the start of the Fall 2022 semester. After the start of the Fall 2022 semester, students must earn a score of 60 or higher to earn credit for HIST 121 .

5 Students receiving a score of 50 or higher on the Western Civilization II exam are able to earn credit for HIST 122  until the start of the Fall 2022 semester. After the start of the Fall 2022 semester, students must earn a score of 60 or higher to earn credit for HIST 122 .

DANTES

The DANTES/DSST (Defense Activities for Non Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Test) program is an extensive series of examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses. DANTES funds paper-based DSST testing for eligible Service members and civilian examinees at DANTES Test Centers and at national test centers (colleges and universities) offering the Internet-based (iBT) DSSTs. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at DANTES testing guidelines. If the student successfully completes the examination, the permanent record will show “Credit by Examination” with a grade of “EX”. No entry will be made on a permanent record if the examination is failed.

 

  DANTES (DSST) Guidelines for Regental Institutions
Acceptance of credit is governed by BOR policy 2.2.2.1 Transfer of Credit
Minimum Scores Acceptable for Granting College Credit Within the South Dakota Public University System
   Required Scores Credit Hours Course Prefix Course Number(s) Course Title
Anthropology, General         
  NSU 400 3 ANTH 210   Cultural Anthropology
Astronomy         
  NSU 400 2-3 PHYS 185 Intro. to Astronomy
Business, Introduction to         
  NSU 400 3 BADM Elective Elective
Civil War & Reconstruction        
  NSU 400 3 HIST 455 American Civil War & Reconstruction
College Algebra, Fundamentals of         
  NSU 400 3 MATH 114   College Algebra
Computing and Information Technology        
  NSU 400 3 CSC 105 Introduction to Computers
Counseling, Fundamentals of        
  NSU 400 3 PSYC Elective Elective
Criminal Justice        
  NSU 400 3 CJUS 201   Intro. to Criminal Justice
Education, Foundation of        
  NSU 400 1-2 EDFN 338   Foundation of American Education
Environmental Science        
  NSU 400 3 SCI Elective Elective
Ethics in America        
  NSU 400 3 PHIL 220 Introduction to Ethics
Finance, Principles of        
  NSU 400 3 BADM 310   Business Finance
Geography, Introduction to        
  NSU 400 3 GEOG 101 Introduction to Geography
Geology, Introduction to        
  NSU 400 3 GEOL 201 Physical Geology
Health & Human Development        
  NSU 400 1 HLTH 100   Wellness for Life
Human Resource Management        
  NSU 400 3 BADM 460   Human Resource Management
Law Enforcement, Introduction to        
  NSU 400 3 CJUS Elective Elective
Management Information Systems         
  NSU 400 3 CIS/MIS 325   Management Information Systems
Money & Banking         
  NSU 400 3 ECON 330   Money & Banking
Personal Finance        
  NSU 400 3 BADM Elective Elective
Principles of Supervision        
  NSU 400 3 BADM Elective Elective
Psychology, Lifespan Development        
  NSU 400 3 PSYC 221   Lifespan Development Psychology
Public Speaking, Principles of        
  NSU 400 3 CMST 101   Fundamentals of Speech
Statistics, Principles of        
  NSU 400 3 MATH 281   Introduction to Statistics
Vietnam War, A History of the        
  NSU 400 3 HIST 459   Vietnam War, 1945-1975
Writing, Technical        
  NSU 400 3 ENGL 379 Technical Communication
World Religion, Introduction to        
  NSU 400 3 REL 250 World Religion

 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Northern State University recognizes the rigor of IB courses and the IB Diploma Program and encourages students to complete higher level courses and exams when ready. Students who complete IB courses and exams and obtain SDBOR required scores will be considered for advanced placement credit in the corresponding courses. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at: https://public.powerdms.com/SDRegents/documents/1677959. If earned, the permanent record will show “Credit by Examination” with a grade of “EX”. No entry will be made if minimum requirements are not met.

 

  South Dakota Board of Regents
  International Baccalaureate Program Policy1
  Standard Level Higher Level
  Score Course Equivalency Score Course Equivalency
   Required Prefix(s) Number(s) Credit Required Prefix(s) Number(s) Credit
Business Management 5 to 7 BADM 101   3 5 to 7 BADM 101   3
Biology 5 to 7 BIOL 151 /151L   4 5 to 7 BIOL 151 /151L  & 153 /153L   8
Chemistry 5 to 7 CHEM 112 /112L   4 5 to 7 CHEM 112 /112L  & 114 /114L   8
Computer Science 5 to 7 CSC 150   3 5 to 7 CSC  150  & 250   6
Economics         5 to 7 ECON 201  & 202   6
Language A (English) - Language 4 to 7 ENGL 101   3 4 to 7 ENGL 101   3
Language A (English) - Language & Literature 4 to 7 ENGL 210  or 268 3 4 to 7 ENGL 210  or 268 3
Language B (Spanish, French, or German) 6 - 7

SPAN/

FREN/

GER/

GLAN

 101 4

4

5

6 to 7

SPAN/

FREN/

GER/

GLAN

  101

101 & 102

101, 102 & 201

4

8

11

Language ab initio 6 - 7

SPAN/

FREN/

GER/

GLAN

101 4        
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches 5 - 7 MATH 115  & 121   9 5 - 7 MATH 115  & 123   9
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations 5 - 7 MATH 115   3 5 - 7 MATH 115 , 123  & 281   12
Mathematics1                
  SL Topic 1 and 2 5 to 7 MATH 114   3        
  HL Topics 1, 2, & 3         5 to 7 MATH 115   5
  HL Topics 5 and 7         5 to 7 STAT 281 3
   HL Topic 6         5 to 7 MATH 123   4
  HL Topic 9         5 to 7 MATH 125   4
Further Math HL2                
     Topic 3         5 to 7 STAT 281 3
     Topic 5         5 to 7 MATH 125   4
Philosophy 5 to 7 PHIL 100   3 5 to 7 PHIL 100   3
Physics 5 to 7 PHYS 111 /111L  & 113 /113L   8 5 to 7 PHYS 211 /211L  & 213 /213L   8
Psychology 5 to 7 PSYC 101   3 5 to 7 PSYC 101   3
Social and Cultural Anthropology 5 to 7 ANTH 210   3 5 to 7 ANTH 210   3
World Religion 5 to 7 REL 250 3 5 to 7 REL 250 3

1 Exam no longer offered as of 2020. Scores will no longer be accepted after 2025.

2 Exam no longer offered as of 2020. Scores will no longer be accepted after 2025.

Academic Credit for Non-Traditional Learning Experiences

Educational experiences that are equivalent to coursework provided at Northern State University, but could not otherwise be accepted by the university may be evaluated by institutional exam or Prior Learning Portfolio, at the discretion of the dean in the student’s academic area of study, when nationally recognized examinations (AP, CLEP, etc.) are not available. Only students enrolled in a degree program at Northern State University are eligible for either of these options. Nontraditional learning experiences include coursework from a non-accredited institution or work experience.

Credits earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations are not allowed:

To exceed 30 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees
To exceed 15 hours of credit for associate degrees.

No Credit by Validation is allowed:

If the student previously visited or is currently registered for the class
For any graduate level courses
If the student previously completed the course for college credit.

When validation credits are accepted, equivalent courses are recorded on the student’s academic record as “Exam for Credit” with a grade of “EX”, or “Prior Learning” or “Life Experience” with a grade of “CR”. A grade of “C” or better is required to earn course credit, but neither will affect grade point average. Credit earned for non-traditional learning experience will not meet degree residency requirements. Northern State University cannot guarantee that credit earned for non-traditional learning experience at NSU will transfer to other institutions, since institutional practices/policies vary.

Institutional Course Examination

In subjects for which there is no equivalent nationally recognized examination, educational experiences may be evaluated by institutional exam at the discretion of the dean in the associated area of study. Generally, only lower division (numbered below 300) courses may be challenged.

Students discuss the proposal with the department coordinator of the department that offers the course and the dean of that academic area and obtains the “Application for Institutional Course Examination” form available through the Registrar’s Office or on the myNSU portal (https://portal.sdbor.edu/nsu-student/academics/registrar/Pages/default.aspx.)

The Registrar checks that all criteria have been met, then signs the form indicating the desired course examination is in line with University policy.

The department coordinator & dean sign the form if approved and make arrangements for administration and grading of the examination.

The student takes the form to the Finance Office and pays the fee. The Finance Office signs the form to indicate this is done. Current costs for challenge exams are noted in the university catalog under Fees and Expenses, Non-Resident Tuition, Credit by Examination.

The student takes the form to the faculty person identified on the form who administers and grades the exam. The exam results are reported on the form. The test should be arranged as soon as possible, but no more than thirty days after payment of the fee.

The signed form is returned to the Registrar’s Office. Only successful exams are noted on the student’s academic record.

If the student fails to establish credit, the examination cannot be repeated nor can the application fee be refunded.

Credit For Prior Learning/Work Experience by Portfolio

Requests for credit via prior learning/work experience must directly correspond to academic coursework offered by Northern State University. The experiential learning must be fully described and documented by the student in writing to indicate the direct correspondence or equivalence to specific university course(s). Requests should be evaluated by external supervisors, if appropriate, and by University officials in light of the student’s educational objectives. For coursework from non-accredited institutions:

Students prepare a cover memo to the appropriate Dean (of the area the courses falls in), stating the course(s) for which he/she would like to receive prior learning credit. In addition to the memo, the student’s application for prior learning should include:

  • Transcript for the course(s) that includes the course prefix, number, title and date of enrollment;
  • Course syllabus;
  • Name & credentials of instructor;
  • Any course projects that seem appropriate;
  • Statement/memo from the student’s NSU advisor, indicating the student and the advisor have discussed the student’s application and the advisor agrees that prior learning credit is appropriate for this student in this major; and
  • Institutional Exam Fee (per course evaluated)

In cases where the prior learning application is based on work experience (experiential learning), rather than completed coursework, the documentation should include:

  • Statements from work supervisors (or the company’s human resources director) indicating job requirements and skills needed for the position held,
  • Examples of work projects,
  • Other appropriate proof of work experience
  • Institutional Exam Fee (per course evaluated)

Student obtains “Application for Credit by Portfolio-Exam” form available through the Registrar’s office or on the myNSU port (https://portal.sdbor.edu/nsu-student/academics/registrar/Pages/default.aspx), pays fee at the Finance Office, then returns with documentation to the Registrar’s Office.

Registrar’s Office forwards application and documentation to the Dean of the appropriate school;

A faculty committee is appointed to review the application and reports its recommendation to the college dean, who forwards the recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs;

The completed form is returned to the Registrar, who notifies the student of the result and records the credit if approved.

If the student fails to establish credit, the portfolio cannot be resubmitted nor can the application fee be refunded.

Placement for Credit for Foreign Languages

Students often take foreign language classes while in high school [or due to their upbringing] and find they are capable of starting at a more advanced level NSU. Students may take a placement exam to determine the appropriate placement. Then if a grade of “C” or higher is earned in the more advanced NSU class, the student may purchase credits for previous courses in that language. For Spanish, students who place into SPAN 201  or 202  may purchase credits for SPAN 101  and 102 , if they meet the criteria. For other languages permission may be given to purchase credits for 101, 102, 201, and 202, the they are placed in a higher course and a grade of “C” or higher is earned. This opportunity is offered only to degree-seeking students at Northern, since it is probable that this credit will not be recognized by other institutions. Students fill our the Credit by Placement Form available through the Registrar’s Office or on the myNSU portal (https://portal.sdbor.edu/nsu-student/academics/registrar/Pages/default.aspx) and pay the credit by exam fee for each course.

If the intent is to enroll at another university, nationally recognized assessment (CLEP, AP, IB) may be a better route to earning credit. Students should check with their intended school for their policy.