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Departmental Proficiency Examination (Credit-by-Exam)

At the University of Maryland, Credit-by-Exam is comparable to a comprehensive final examination in a course. Initial inquiry as to whether an examination in a specific course is available should be directed to the academic department which offers the course of interest. See Policy Number: III-1.41(A) section B. for the Full Deparmtnetal Proficiency Examination (Credit-by-Exam) policy. 

Additional information can be found in the Prior Learning Credit

Undergraduate Students

How to Apply

  1. The student should contact the department offering the Credit-by-Exam that they are interested in taking.
  2. If an examination for a course is available, the department will provide information regarding the time and location of the exam, the type of examination, and material which might be helpful in preparing for the examination.
  3. Upon making arrangements with the department, students must complete section 1 of the Credit-by-Exam Form and bring updated copies of their transcripts (including transfer and current courses) to the Department. Applications for examinations shall be approved on an individual course basis.
  4. The chairperson of the academic department or designated representative will complete Section II of the Credit-by-Exam form. 
  5. If approved, make arrangements with the academic unit to take the examination.
  6. Before taking the examination, students must take a copy of the approved Credit-by-Exam form to the Office of the Registrar (1113 Mitchell Building) to make arrangements for payment.
    • Pay the $30 fee (credit or debit cards only) when certain of taking the exam; no refunds given.
    • Acceptable forms of payment
      • Debit Card
      • Discover
      • Master Card
      • Apple Pay
      • Google Pay
    • Take receipt for payment, student ID, and approved form to examination, present to the Chairperson or representative.
  7. After the exam is graded, the student will complete and sign Section 3 (academic department and student should both have a copy).
  8. If the student accepts the grade received for the Credit-by-Exam, the department will submit appropriate paperwork to the Office of the University Registrar for processing.

For more information or questions, contact registrar-help@umd.edu.

For graduate students, please contact the Graduate School.

University of Maryland Policy and Procedures Concerning Credit for Prior Learning Policy Number: III-1.41(A)

Departmental Proficiency Examination (Credit-by-Exam)

1. Eligibility

In order to be considered for credit-by-exam, a student must meet the following criteria:

  1. A minimum of 12 (twelve) credit hours completed at the University of Maryland;
  2. A minimum grade- point- average of 2.0;
  3. Completion of all prerequisite courses or the approval of the department chairperson (or, in non-departmentalized units, the dean) and the Senior Vice President and Provost.

Note: Requirements 1 and 2 may be waived for students in their first semester at the University of Maryland by the department chairperson and the dean.

2. Grading
  1. A student may cancel application for credit-by-exam at any time prior to the completion of the examination with no entry on the permanent record.
  2. The examination instructor shall make the grade available to the student prior to formal submission of the grade.
  3. A grade of "C-" or better must be obtained to establish credit-by-exam.
  4. If a student elects not to have the grade posted, a grade of "W" shall be recorded. No course may be attempted more than once using credit-by-exam.
  5. Grades earned using credit-by-exam shall be posted on the transcript as resident credit in the semester the examination was taken and used in computing semester and cumulative grade point averages. Such grades shall be accompanied by the notation "By examination" as applicable.
  6. The instructor must certify on the report of examination that copies of the examination questions and the student's answers shall be retained in accordance with the University of Maryland’s Records and Retention and Disposal Schedule.
3. Miscellaneous
  1. Credit-by-exam will not be accepted for any part of the final 30 (thirty) semester hours without permission of the Senior Vice President and Provost. With such permission, 6 (six) of the final 30 (thirty) credit hours may be by credit-by-exam.
  2. Applications for examinations shall be approved on an individual course basis.
  3. The instructor must certify on the report of examination that copies of the examination questions and the student's answers shall be retained in accordance with the University of Maryland’s Records Retention and Disposal Schedule.

View the Credit for Prior Learning website for additional information.

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