Alternative Credit
Belhaven University grants alternative credit for prior experience not earned in a structured college setting. The maximum credit allowed is 30 hours. This credit can be earned through any combination of the following ways:
- Standardized Tests
- DANTES tests
- Portfolio I - documented learning- which includes training accredited by the American Council on Education
- Portfolio II- experiential learning
Standardized Tests
Belhaven University recognizes the CLEP, AP and ACT PEP standardized tests for credit and accepts the recommended score scale. Alternative credit, including CLEP, AP, and ACT PEP may not exceed 30 hours. Students may not CLEP core courses in their major. CLEP courses, when allowed, become Gen Eds or electives and are counted as part of the 50% transfer credit and a part of the alternative credit limit. CLEP of the basic Gen Ed courses ENG104/105, MAT133, MAT140/141 is not permitted.
DANTES Test
DANTES Tests can be taken for elective credit. The maximum number of credits that may be taken by DANTES test is limited by Belhaven's residence requirements as it appears in the catalogue. Students who pass the test receive three credits for each of the tests listed below. No grade is awarded for DANTES tests.
Procedure for Taking DANTES Test
- Contact your Student Services office for the each test you want to take and complete request form.
- After approval from Student Services, schedule a time take the test on-line in Student Services.
- Study! Fact sheets are available on line on the DSST web site near the Bottom of www.getcollegecredit.com/materials.htm. You can order study guides for $25-30.00 each. They may or may not be helpful. DSST Practice Tests are also available online at www.getcollegcredit.com/practice.htm for $4.95 each. Practice tests can only be viewed on the DSST Web site for 24 hours. You cannot print them, download them, or save them. Call 800-645-6337 or check the websites for more information.
- Take the test. You will need to bring $80.00 to Student Services for DSST payment processing. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, are accepted for payment. NO CASH PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED.
- Scores are given after the tests are completed on-line. The Original transcript will to be mailed to Student Services two weeks after you complete the test. If you pass the test, the credit will be recorded on your transcript.
Tests Accepted for Elective Credit
| An Introduction to the Modern Middle East | Human Resource Management (BBA students only) |
| Human/Cultural Geography | Organizational Behavior (BBA students only) |
| Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union | Introduction to Computing |
| A History of the Vietnam War | Introduction to Business |
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | Money and Banking |
| Foundations of Education | Personal Finance (if not taken in core) |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology | Astronomy |
| General Anthropology | Here’s to Your Health |
| Drug and Alcohol Abuse | Environment & Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | Principles of Physical Science I |
| Criminal Justice | Physical Geology |
| Fundamentals of Counseling | Principals of Supervision |
Please see Catalogue for additional Alternative Credits Methods.
Portfolios
Portfolio I Documented Learning: Credit for professional or technical courses, licenses, certifications, and workshops can be awarded if thoroughly documented as college-level learning that has been completed outside of the traditional liberal arts classroom setting. Portfolio I is designed to assist adult learners in attaining their academic and career goals by validating their professional competencies acquired through the following areas:
- Professional courses workshops, seminars, courses offered by businesses or professional schools, etc.)
- Licenses and certifications
- Certain technical courses
The portfolio is a collection of the documentation which supports the learning which has taken place. It must include a resume, an autobiographical sketch, and a value of learning statement for each topic area as well as artifacts verifying the learning including diplomas, licenses, certificates of attendance, etc. The faculty of Belhaven University will review and evaluate the documentation to determine if college-level learning has taken place. Generally, the requirements for documentation are:
- Assemble each of the required pieces of information.
- Provide acceptable documentation or verification of course completion, clock hours, or continuing education credits and outline course content according to the guidelines of the Portfolio Handbook.
- For licenses and certifications, provide a copy of the license or certification and documentation concerning the requirements for earning the license.
- Provide a learning outcomes statement for each topic area.
- For technical credit, provide documentation or verification of course completion, clock hours, or continuing education credits and outline course content according to the guidelines of the Portfolio Handbook.
Portfolio II Experiential Learning: Students may earn academic credit for college-level learning gained through experience and that has been documented and expressed in writing. Essays are to follow the CAEL guidelines and the Kolb's Model of the Learning Process. To ensure quality essays, Belhaven University directs students wishing to acquire credit by this method to enroll in EDU290. A portfolio is constructed by following the course module.
Essays document college level learning and include:
- the concrete experience
- observations and reflections
- formation of abstract concepts and generalizations
- testing implications of concepts in new situations
Further necessary attachments:
- documentation of experience (letters, pictures, etc.)
- course equivalency
The amount of credit granted depends on the depth of knowledge and the thoroughness of the documentation. No grades are assigned, only credit awarded, usually applied to the General Elective category. A maximum of 15 credit hours may be earned through the portfolio process and no more than 30 hours may be earned through any nontraditional means. Credit will be posted to a Belhaven University transcript after 12 successful credit hours are completed at Belhaven University!
