Credit by Examination

1. A student seeking credit at UW-Stout by test-out procedure must be legitimately enrolled (registered and fees paid) at the university for the current term, unless the student was previously enrolled at UW-Stout, in good standing, has met the residency requirement, and is attempting the credit by test-out procedure to finish remaining credits for graduation.

2. Students seeking credits for courses may test-out of and receive credit in only those courses which are approved courses of the university. Credits can be awarded for professional or technical experience and/or certification by means of an examination, a portfolio assessment, or method determined by the examining committee, on an individual basis.

3. Students should not register for the same course that they are testing out of. If a student does register for this course, they will need to drop it before the term starts and are subject to the refund calendar if they drop it after the term starts.

4. Students seeking credits for courses will receive the credit normally awarded for the course upon successful completion of the test-out. These credits will not count towards the university's residency credit requirement. If credit is granted; the grade for a test-out will be determined by the assessment as a credit/no credit award.

5. The test-out form must be completed online via Credit By Exam form. Please contact your Program Director about completing the Credit by Exam form and taking a test.

1. The acceptability of any credits awarded to any individual by a test-out process in a given program is the decision and prerogative of the program director of that program.

2. The decision to permit a student to test-out of a course housed in a department will reside with that department.

3. The department will designate who will administer and who will evaluate the examination in any given instance of test-out of courses housed in the department.

4. The department will designate who will determine the method used in testing the student out of a course housed in the department, selecting one or a combination of any of the following methods:

• Written examination
• Oral examination
• Performance evaluation (practical exam)
• Examination of completed work and/or records presented and defended by the student 

5. The department will approve all credits awarded to individuals through the test-out of courses housed in the department. The approval will be indicated by signature on the forms

Credits by Departmental Tests

The following fees will be charged to the student for the test-out process before the student will be allowed to perform the test in any department. These fees are payable to the Business Office prior to the test.

A $75 non-refundable charge for each course in which the student intends to test out, to be credited to the Business Financial Services Office, the Registration, and Records Office and Provost's Office, to cover the cost of handling the necessary record keeping.

A $50 non-refundable charge per credit attempted, to be credited to the department in which the course is housed to cover the cost of the administration of the test, up to 6 credits.  

A fee of $300 will apply for a single test for more than 6 credits.