Credit and Placement by Examination

Examinations are employed both to provide assistance in placing students at the appropriate level in certain areas of study and to provide an opportunity for students to obtain credit for previously learned skills.

In certain subject areas, students are required to take a placement examination. There is no charge to take that examination or for placement. The student who is seeking a degree at ONU can use the test results of those examinations to obtain credit. In that case, the student is required to pay an administrative or credit fee. For one course (up to five

credits), only an administrative fee is charged; there is no credit fee. For all subsequent courses, there is a per credit hour fee charged (the administrative fee is included in the credit charge).

In certain subject areas, a full-time undergraduate student who is seeking a degree at ONU can request a Special Examination for Credit. There is an administrative fee charged which must be paid before the examination can be taken. The student may wish to use the test results of those examinations to obtain credit. In that case, the student may be required to pay an additional credit fee. For one course (up to five credits), there is no credit fee. For all subsequent courses, there is a per credit fee charged (the administrative fee is included in the credit charge).

The examination is evaluated as either “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory). Only satisfactory evaluations are recorded on the student record. Results of examinations do not affect the student’s cumulative grade point average. Satisfactory examination results will be recorded as either “PL” or “XM.” “PL” indicates the examination satisfies the appropriate graduation and/or prerequisite requirements of the course(s) with no hours earned towards graduation. “XM” indicates that credit hours are earned for the specified course(s).

Permission for a special examination requires formal application using a form obtained from the Office of the Registrar. The application must be approved by (1) the student’s academic advisor; (2) the academic dean of the student’s college of registration, and (3) the chair of the department in which the course is offered. Such examination shall

not be approved for courses which the student has previously audited, completed or failed at this or another institution nor for courses which are prerequisite to any course for which the student has earned credit nor for courses for which the student has previously attempted credit by examination unsuccessfully.

After all required approvals have been obtained, in the order required on the form, and appropriate fees paid, an examiner is assigned by the department chair. The student shall arrange for the examination with the examiner. The examination must be approved, given, evaluated, and the results reported to the Office of the Registrar prior to the end of the “W” period of the semester in which the examination is administered.

Payment of an “administration fee” is required in the controller’s office prior to taking a special examination. The “credit hour fee” is 50% of the tuition charge per credit hour as charged to part-time students as listed in the university catalog at the time of the payment of the fee. The “administration fee” is applied toward the “credit hour fee.” One course, maximum of five hours, is not assessed the “credit hour fee.”

Credit earned by examination after having achieved senior (SR) or P6 status is not applicable toward graduation. A maximum total of thirty (30) hours of credit earned by special examination, externally administered or ONU special examination, can be recorded and applied toward a baccalaureate degree.

Post-baccalaureate students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program who plan to seek credit by examination for one or more rotations because of professional experience must complete the examination(s) prior to their initial enrollment in PHPR 6501 - Advanced Practice Rotations.