/Institutions/North-Greenville-University/json/2023-2024/2023-2024-Undergraduate-and-Graduate-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/North-Greenville-University/json/2023-2024/2023-2024-Undergraduate-and-Graduate-Catalog.json

Applied Credit Policies

Definition of Academic Credit Hour

Academic degree credit hours by semester in all North Greenville University programs (baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral) shall be equivalent to the commonly accepted and traditionally defined units of academic measurement in accredited institutions. Academic degree courses, including various courses modalities such as face-to-face, hybrid, distance learning, or independent study courses are measured by the learning outcomes normally achieved through 45 hours of student work for one semester credit (one credit/semester hour is 15 hours of academic engagement and 30 hours of preparation). This formula is typically referred to as a Carnegie unit and is used by the American Council on Education in its Credit Recommendation Evaluative Criteria.

Student work includes direct and/or indirect faculty instruction. Academic engagement may include, but is not limited to, submitting an academic assignment, listening to class lectures or webinars (synchronous or asynchronous), taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; attending a study group that is assigned by the institution; contributing to an academic online discussion; initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course and laboratory work, externship or internship. Preparation is typically homework, such as reading and study time, and completing assignments and projects. Therefore, a 3 credit hour course would require 135 semester hours (45 hours of academic engagement and 90 hours of preparation). All student work must be documented in the curriculum materials and syllabi, including a reasonable approximation of time required for the student to complete the assignments. Evaluation of a student’s work must be identified as a grading criterion and weighted appropriately in the determination of a final grade for a course.

Double Counting Credits Policy

Double Major Double Counting Credits Policy

A double major is not the same thing as a second degree. (See our Second Baccalaureate Degrees policy elsewhere in this catalog.) All core curriculum requirements and major requirements for both majors must be completed. Students must decide which of the two majors will be their primary major. Students retain their advisor for their primary major, but also meet with an advisor of their choice for their second major. NGU will print both majors on the transcript, but award only one bachelor’s degree, which will be the degree of their primary major. Students will only receive one diploma, that of the primary degree. Note: students who earn a Bachelor of General Studies or a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies cannot pursue a double major.

The following academic departments do not allow for double majoring within their department: College of Christian Studies, Cline School of Music, English, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, School of Communication, and Theatre. Any second major for students in these departments must come from another department.

Major and Minor Double Counting Credits Policy

Minors are normally eighteen (18) credit hours, and six (6) of those hours must be unique credit hours separate from any major or other minor in which the student might be enrolled.

Alternate Credit Types

Credit by Exam and Placement

Credit may be received for a course in which a student has not enrolled by the student’s demonstrating mastery of the subject matter of the course on an examination administered by a faculty member in the discipline. Approval to take such an exam must be given by both the faculty member and the office of Academic Affairs. A fee is charged for taking such an examination and for any credit received as a result. Refer to the fee schedule in the general expenses section. Should the University require a student take an examination, all fees will be waived. No fee is charged for routine placement examinations.

A student wishing to receive credit by examination will be informed of the scope of material to be covered but will not be provided additional assistance. Credit by examination may not be obtained for any course in which a student has previously enrolled. Transient and special students are not eligible for credit by examination.

Credit for Prior Experiential Learning

In awarding credit for prior experiential learning, the University will award credit only for documented learning in the field of study which demonstrates achievement of all outcomes for specific courses in an approved degree program. Programs which accept prior experiential learning credit are Criminal Justice online, Business and Leadership online, Christian Ministries online, Education online, Psychology Applied online, and Cybersecurity. More information about prior experiential learning credit can be found on each program’s catalog page.

It is the policy of the University that such credit would be given after successful completion of a written examination prepared by the faculty in that discipline, an industry recognized certification exam in the appropriate field, or alternate determination of industry field experience made by the faculty in that discipline.

Credit for a written faculty exam, industry recognized certification exam in the appropriate field, or alternate determination of industry field experience will be awarded after Academic Records receives written notification signed by the Department Chair. Up to 12 hours credit may be awarded. The credit will be identified as an exam credit on the student’s transcript.

Credit for Military Training

Veterans must submit a military transcript documenting the work completed during military training to Academic Records. Academic Records evaluates all military credit. The credit awarded is based on the recommendations found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Credits are posted, and the work is identified by the same procedures used for all transfer students.

Advanced Placement

Students who complete college-level courses in high school and take the examinations prepared by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board (AP), will receive advanced placement and university credit for such courses if they score 3, 4, or 5 on the appropriate subject area examination according to guidelines established by the College Board. Credit ranges from three to eight semester hours.

College Level Examination Program

NGU accepts CLEP credit in partnership with the College Board. Official scores must be sent directly from College Board to NGU to be evaluated. A minimum score of 50 is required.

International Baccalaureate Program

Credit will be given to any student scoring 5, 6, or 7 on the higher level International Baccalaureate exams.

English Placement Test

All new students who have not already earned credit for English-1310 will be required to produce a prescribed writing sample for placement in the appropriate level of English. This writing sample is administered and scored by the English faculty.

Foreign Language Placement Policy

Students must take the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Department foreign language placement test in the appropriate language before starting their study in this department. Students with a language requirement must complete four semesters (12 credit hours) in one language unless their major specifies otherwise. In general, entering freshmen with two years of high school language study in the same language will be placed into second semester of that language during initial enrollment at North Greenville University. The placement test will be administered during the first week of class to verify the placement.

Students at NGU who believe they are proficient (or have some level of proficiency) in a language other than English can choose to be tested in that language, if there is an academic reason for this (foreign language requirement, language class placement, language credits, etc.).

Preferably with the guidance of the advisor, the student should follow the following steps (if this is not the routine pretest or placement test of a registered DMLL language class at NGU):

1. Contact the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (DMLL) Chair and express the desire to take a language proficiency test, discuss the reasons for taking the test, and make arrangements for the test
2. Take the test at the time and place designated by the Chair, with the proctor assigned. Information about the advisor should be given to the proctor.
3. The DMLL will email the advisor and the student about the results.
4. When appropriate, the Chair will send Academic Records a report about the results.

The student needs to decide how to pay for these credits and the test:

Option A: Pay the fee per credit plus the test fee. Check with business office for current rates.

Option B: Take a higher-level language class at NGU and receive back credits if the student earns a C or better in this higher level class. In this case, there is no need to pay for the test or credits separately.

Seal of Biliteracy Credit

The Seal of Biliteracy is a certificate earned by high school graduates who demonstrate competence in a second language on a proficiency exam. Students who earn a bronze seal will be awarded credit for levels one and two of the language, 1310 and 1320. Those earning a silver or gold seal will be awarded credit for 1310, 1320, and 2310. Students completing the exam must demonstrate skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking the foreign language.

Students interested should contact the University Registrar or the Department of Modern Language and Linguistics (DMLL) chair.

Placement Testing

All incoming students without equivalent college level credit for ENGL-1310/ENGL-1320 must submit a writing sample, per the instructions on the English Course Placement Form.
Math testing is administered to all School of Science and Math majors, to any student scoring 530 or below on the SAT or below 22 on the ACT, and to any student who has not taken the SAT or ACT. The tests is administered at North Greenville University and are used primarily for accurate placement into appropriate level courses. Students are given up to two hours to complete the test.

Students who score below acceptable levels will be required to take transitional studies courses to bring skills up to a suitable level of proficiency. Students who have pending admission for other reasons may also be required to take placement tests.

English 1310 Exemption Policy

Students who pass the English 1310 Essay Exemption Test will be given credit for ENGL-1310.

Music Theory

Any student wishing to exempt music theory must make an appointment for testing with the theory coordinator. If the student demonstrates sufficient elementary theoretical skills, the student may exempt MUSC-1430 and enroll in MUSC-1440. Exemption of MUSC-1430 receives the grade from MUSC-1440. Exemption of MUSC-1440 receives the grade from MUSC-2430.