The College of Undergraduate Studies

The College of Undergraduate Studies is a comprehensive first- year experience designed to provide students with a historical context in which to view the school and the core values that are important to the institution. Further, The College of Undergraduate Studies provides a network of resources to help students as they matriculate so that students are prepared for success in their upper- level classes. The College of Undergraduate Studies does this with a core of dedicated faculty, staff and Student Success Coaches who are committed to the success of first- year students and who understand the unique challenges of the first-year experience.

Testing and Quality Assurance

The Office of Testing and Quality Assurance provides extensive testing accommodations for Bethune-Cookman University students and the surrounding community.

• Placement Testing - The Office of Testing and Quality Assurance administers examinations to freshmen and transfer students for placement in reading, English, and mathematics. All entering students will be evaluated for placement testing and/or exemptions.

• College Credit - Bethune-Cookman University is a participant in the Advanced Placement Program (AP) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB). If the student meets the criteria set forth by each academic area, then the student may receive college credit for courses covering similar material. Students must apply through the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the sixth week of their first Semester enrolled at Bethune-Cookman University.

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP©) - The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests by the College Board are offered to students who are able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by the subject examinations. Students can receive course credit by earning qualifying scores on CLEP examinations. Additional information regarding the CLEP exams is available at http://clep.collegeboard.org/exams/offered or in the Testing Offices in the L. Gale Lemerand Building (Nursing Build).

• National Test Center - The University also serves as a national test center for limited test offerings of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), including subject examinations of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

• Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency Test (CAAP). This is a special test that measures how much students know about a particular subject. Sections included on the test are Reading, Mathematics, Science, Critical Thinking, Writing Skills, and Essay. Except for the essay portion, all tests are in a multiple choice format. Calculators are allowed.

ADA Compliance - Individuals requiring special testing accommodations needs must submit documentation of a professional diagnostic evaluation not older than 3 years to the Office of Student Disability Services (ext. 2170).

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP examinations allow students to move through the academic curriculum at an accelerated pace. CLEP examinations may be taken by interested students in order to measure their competence and proficiency in five general education areas (Business, Composition and Literature, Science and Mathematics, Foreign Languages, History and Social Sciences). Students should be aware of the following guidelines:

1. Fees are assessed for students wishing to earn college credit through the CLEP.

2. Not more than six Semester Hours of credit may be earned in any one area.

3. Not more than 30 Semester Hours of credit may be earned through the CLEP.

4. Transfer credits based on CLEP scores will be accepted, if the scores meet Bethune-Cookman University guidelines.

Requirements for applying for CLEP credit:

1. Take the CLEP exam corresponding to the course that credit is desired.

2. Score the minimum score required to receive credit for the particular course.

Requirements for awarding of credit for CLEP Examinations:

1. Students must review the College Board “CLEP Shorten Your Path to a College Degree” brochure and current “CLEP Information for Candidates” booklet.

2. Students must complete a CLEP REGISTRATION-ADMISSION FORM on the back of the “CLEP Information for Candidates” booklet and submit to Director of Testing with payments in order to schedule an appointment.

3. Students may retake a CLEP exam; however, they cannot retake the same test or exam for six months. Scores of exams repeated earlier than six months will be canceled and test fees forfeited. The CLEP program has a longstanding policy that exams may not be retaken within a six-month period.

4. Not more than six (6) Semester Hours of credit may be earned in any one area.  (Additional Semester Hours of credit may be possible by special petition through the Department Chair or Area Coordinator of the specific area.)

5. Please allow at least 4-6 weeks for your CLEP scores to be processed and transferred to your transcripts. Graduating seniors must take the CLEP 90 days (3 months) prior to graduation (No Exceptions).

6. Not more than thirty (30) Semester Hours of credit may be earned by examination.

7. Transfer credits based on CLEP scores will be accepted if the scores meet Bethune-Cookman University’s standards for minimum required score.

8. Refer to the “Credit-by-Examination Policy for CLEP Examinations” for awarding of credit in applicable subject areas based on test score(s) [Student is to receive “What Your CLEP Score Means” by the College Board at conclusion of exam(s).]