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Text or Call: 541-240-8227
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Coos Campus
Dellwood Hall
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Curry Campus
Front Desk
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Phone: 541-813-1667
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Alternative Credits
Alternative credits are simply other ways students may earn college credits. Below is an overview of the various alternative credit offerings offered at Southwestern.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning is an opportunity for Southwestern students to be granted credit for verifiable, college-level learning that is acquired outside the college setting through life or work experience. There are several ways to gain Credit for Prior Learning, including the College Level Entrance Examination Program (CLEP), challenge exams by course, Advanced Placement Program (APP), military training, industry certifications/training programs, or Prior Learning Assessments (PLA). Talk to your advisor to learn more about options.
Students must be working toward a degree, be enrolled, and complete a minimum of three credits at Southwestern during the quarter in which a class is challenged or prior learning is assessed. Students may request credit for prior learning for up to 25% of their credits to satisfy the requirements for a 1 year certificate or 2 year degree. If planning to transfer to another institution, it is recommended that the student check with their intended transfer school for acceptance of challenge/PLA credits. Challenge/PLA credits do not count toward determining financial aid or veteran’s benefits and payment (half the tuition) is required before the Challenge/PLA process is started.
Advanced Placement Program (APP)
High school seniors who participate in the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Program may seek advanced placement in a variety of disciplines. Entering freshman who have taken the APP tests should have the results sent to the Student Success Center. Advanced placement and/or college credit may be granted upon recommendation of the appropriate party. Credit may be granted only if students are working towards a degree/certificate, enrolled and completed a minimum of three credits at Southwestern during the quarter. The Student Success Center and the Student Success Center can provide interested students with procedures.
Challenge
Students who believe that they have the knowledge and skills from life experience, industry training or professional certification, may request to challenge a course by petition or by an examination in lieu of class attendance. (Laboratory classes may be challenged with the approval of the dean/faculty.) Successful challenge results in grade and credit on the Southwestern permanent record identified as credit for challenge. Credit may be granted only if the students are working towards a degree/certificate, enrolled and completed a minimum of three credits at Southwestern during the quarter the challenge is assessed. The Student Success Center will provide interested students with procedures.
Students may not drop or withdraw from challenged courses. Financial aid recipients cannot use financial aid dollars to “challenge” courses.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students enrolled at Southwestern may receive credit for certain college courses by submitting official scores from the College Level Entrance Examination Program (CLEP). Successful CLEP exam results in grade and credit on the Southwestern permanent record identified as CLEP. The Student Success Center can provide interested students with procedures.