Mar 19, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Alternative Credit Options


Credit for Prior Learning

Successful completion of national examinations, departmental examinations, or a prior learning portfolio, or assessment of nonaccredited training programs through published guides may be used to award credit or may permit placement in advanced courses. A student may earn up to 60 semester hours of credit toward degree requirements using prior learning credit options. Prior learning credit may not be used toward the last 12 semester hours of a degree program, does not substitute for residency requirements, and cannot be used to challenge prerequisite courses for courses already completed. Students are advised that letter grades are not assigned for such credit, and some institutions may not accept transfer credits that do not include letter grades. Additional information is available from the offices indicated in each section below.

Advanced Placement Examinations

Students who have performed satisfactorily in special college-level courses while in high school, and who have passed appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) examinations conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board may have official scores submitted directly to the Office of Admissions for consideration for college credit. This office, in consultation with the appropriate department chair, determines the amount and nature of the credit and/or advanced placement granted. Students should contact collegeboard.com or 888-225-5427 to request official AP scores; MSU Denver’s AP code is 4505.

Course Credit Awards For Advanced Placement Exams

 
AP SCORES 2 3 4 5
Art History     ARTH 1600-3
ARTH 1700-3
ARTH 1600-3
ARTH 1700-3
Biology   BIO 1080-3
BIO 1081-3
BIO 1090-1
BIO 1091-1
BIO 1080-3
BIO 1081-3
BIO 1090-1
BIO 1091-1
BIO 1080-3
BIO 1081-3
BIO 1090-1
BIO 1091-1
Chemistry   CHE 1800-4 CHE 1800-4
CHE 1810-4
CHE 1850-2
CHE 1800-4
CHE 1810-4
CHE 1850-2
Computer Science (A)     CS 1050-4 CS 1050-4
Computer Science (AB)   CS 1050-4 CS 1050-4
CS 2050-4
CS 1050-4
CS 2050-4
Economics (Macro)   ECO 2010-3 ECO 2010-3 ECO 2010-3
Economics (Micro)   ECO 2020-3 ECO 2020-3 ECO 2020-3
English (Comp & Lit)   ENG 1010-3
ENG 1100-3
ENG 1010-3
ENG 1020-3
ENG 1100-3
ENG 1010-3
ENG 1020-3
ENG 1100-3
English (Lang & Comp)   ENG 1010-3 ENG 1010-3
ENG 1020-3
ENG 1010-3
ENG 1020-3
Gov’t & Politics (U.S.)   PSC 1010-3 PSC 1010-3 PSC 1010-3
Geography-Human   GEG 1300-3 GEG 1300-3 GEG 1300-3
Environmental Science   ENV 1200-3 ENV1200-3 ENV1200-3
French Language   FRE 1020-5
FRE 2110-3
FRE 1020-5
FRE 2010-3
FRE 2110-3
FRE 1020-5
FRE 2010-3
FRE 2020-3
FRE 2110-3
French Literature  FRE 1020-5 FRE 1020-5
FRE 2010-3
FRE 2110-3
FRE 1020-5
FRE 2010-3
FRE 2110-3
FRE 1020-5
FRE 2010-3
FRE 2020-3
FRE 2110-3
FRE 3010-3
German Language GER 1020-5 GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 2310-3
GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 2310-3
GER 2320-3
German Literature GER 1020-5 GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 2310-3
GER 1020-5
GER 2110-3
GER 2120-3
GER 2310-3
GER 2320-3
History (American)   HIS 1210-3 HIS 1210-3
HIS 1220-3
HIS 1210-3
HIS 1220-3
History (European)   HIS 1010-3 HIS 1010-3
HIS 1020-3
HIS 1010-3
HIS 1020-3
History (World)   HIS 1030-3 HIS 1030-3
HIS 1040-3
HIS 1030-3
HIS 1040-3
Math (Calc AB)   MTH 1400-4 MTH 1410-4 MTH 1410-4
Math (Calc BC)   MTH 1400-4 MTH 1410-4
MTH 2410-4
MTH 1410-4
MTH 2410-4
Physics (B)   PHY 2010-4
PHY 2030-1
PHY 2020-4
PHY 2040-1
PHY 2010-4
PHY 2030-1
PHY 2020-4
PHY 2040-1
PHY 2010-4
PHY 2030-1
PHY 2020-4
PHY 2040-1
Physics (C-Mechanics)   PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
Physics (C-Magnetism, Elec)   PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
PHY 2331-4
PHY 2341-1
PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
PHY 2331-4
PHY 2341-1
PHY 2311-4
PHY 2321-1
PHY 2331-4
PHY 2341-1
Psychology     PSY 1001-3 PSY 1001-3
Spanish Language SPA 1020-5 SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 2310-3
SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 2310-3
SPA 2320-3
Spanish Literature SPA 1020-5 SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 2310-3
SPA 2320-3
SPA 1020-5
SPA 2110-3
SPA 2120-3
SPA 2310-3
SPA 2320-3
SPA 3110-3
Statistics   MTH 1210-4 MTH 1210-4 MTH 1210-4


 


International Baccalaureate

MSU Denver recognizes the high level of achievement that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program represents. Students who complete the IB Diploma Program and the IB examinations are guaranteed admission to the University and are eligible to receive credit and advanced placement standing. To receive credit, a student must receive at least a score of four (4) on each IB examination and call 212-696-4464 to request that official scores be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the IB organization. For specific equivalencies, see the table below. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 303-556-3058 for more information. Students should consult with the appropriate department for further advising and with their major departments about acceptance of credits toward their majors.

International Bacalaureate Transfer Credit Award

 
IB Exam Level of
Exam
Exam
Score
MSU Denver Equivalence Semester
Hours
MSU Denver General
Studies Area
Anthropology Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
ANT 1310 w/ 3 hrs elective
Anthropology elective
6
3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Art-Design A Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
ART 1101-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
ART 1101-3
6
3
 
Art-Visual Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
Art elective
Art elective
6
3
 
Biology Higher
Higher
Standard
5 thru 7
4
4 thru 7
BIO 1080-3, BIO 1090-1 w 2 hrs elective
Biology elective
BIO 1000-3
6
6
3
Natural and Physical Sciences
Natural and Physical Sciences
Chemistry Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
CHE 1100-4, CHE 1150-1 w/ 1 hr elective
CHE 1010-3
6
3
Natural and Physical Sciences
Natural and Physical Sciences
Computer Science Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
CIS 1010-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
CIS 1010-3
6
3
 
Dance Higher 4 thru 7 Theatre elective 3  
Economics Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
ECO 2010-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
Economics elective
6
3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
English (A-1) Higher 4 thru 7 ENG 1010-3, ENG 1100-3 6 Written Communication - 3
Foreign Lang (A1)
French, German,
Spanish
Higher
Standard
4 thru 7

4 thru 7
FRE 3110-3 & FRE 3320-3 or
GER 3010-3 & GER 3210-3 or
SPA 3110-3 & SPA 3250-3
FRE, GER, SPA 1010-5, 1020-5
6


10


Oral Communication
Foreign Lang (B) Higher
Standard
4 thru 7

4 thru 7
FRE 2010-3 & FRE 2020-3 or
GER 2110-3 & GER 2120-3 or
SPA 2110-3 & SPA 2120-3
FRE, GER, SPA 1010-5, 1020-5
6


10

Oral Communication
Geography
(Environmental Sys)
Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
ENV 1200-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
Environmental elective
6
3
Natural and Physical Sciences
Natural and Physical Sciences
History of Africa Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
History elective
History elective
6
3
Historical
Historical
History of Americas Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
History elective
History elective
6
3
Historical
Historical
History of Europe Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
HIS 1010-3, HIS 1020-3
HIS 1010-3
6
3
Historical
Historical
Japanese Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
Modern Languages elective
Modern Languages elective
6
3
 
Latin Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
Modern Languages elective
Modern Languages elective
6
3
 
Mathematics* Standard 4 thru 7 MTH 1110-4 4 Quantitative Literacy
Mathematics* Higher
Higher
5 thru 7
4
MTH 1410-4
MTH 1400-4
4
4
 
Quantitative Literacy
Quantitative Literacy
Math Methods* Standard
Standard
5 thru 7
4
MTH 1110-4
Mathematics elective
4
3
Quantitative Literacy
Quantitative Literacy
Math Studies* Standard 4 thru 7 Mathematics elective 3 Quantitative Literacy
Physics Higher
Standard
4 thru 7

4 thru 7
PHY 2010-4, PHY 2020-4,
PHY 2030-1, PHY 2040-1
PHY 1000-4
10

4
Natural and Physical Sciences

Natural and Physical Sciences
Psychology Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
PSY 1001-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
Psychology elective
6
3
 
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Russian Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
Modern Languages elective
Modern Languages elective
6
3
 
Theater Higher
Standard
4 thru 7
4 thru 7
THE 2210-3 w/ 3 hrs elective
Theater elective
6
3
Arts and Humanities
Arts and Humanities
*See Math Department for further advising.

 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) consists of a series of national standardized examinations. They are designed to evaluate non-accredited college-level learning in order to award credit for successful demonstration of this knowledge. Based on the results of one or more of the CLEP examinations that are accepted at MSU Denver, the University may award up to 30 credits toward the General Studies requirements. Thus, students may test out of many of the traditional courses required during the freshman year. Students are advised to check with their major departments for information on specific General Studies requirements that may not be met through the use of CLEP examinations.

MSU Denver does not allow CLEP to be used for ENG 1020, Freshman Composition: Analysis, Research and Documentation.

No more than 60 credits may be earned through all the approved CLEP examinations.

  • Credit earned through the English composition with essay, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences/history, and college mathematics examinations may be applied only to General Studies requirements. Credit earned through the other approved examinations may apply to any requirements unless otherwise stated.
  • Credit earned will be entered on the student’s transcript with the title of the examination(s) and without reference to any specific MSU Denver course(s). CLEP examinations are recorded without reference to a letter grade and are not figured into the student’s GPA. Credit earned through CLEP examinations does not count toward residency credit requirements and therefore may not be awarded as part of the last 12 credit hours applicable to a degree.
  • In order to have CLEP examination or military examination (DANTES) results evaluated, the student should have a copy of the official score report sent to, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Office of Admissions, Campus Box 16, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362. To request an official CLEP score report, contact collegeboard.com/clep or 800-257-9558. MSU Denver’s CLEP code is 4505. DANTES test scores can be obtained by calling 850-452-1063.
  • All CLEP examinations will be subject to the statement of policy in place at the time the scores are submitted, not the policy in place at the time the examination was taken.
  • Credit awarded through CLEP examinations at other colleges or universities will be re-evaluated at MSU Denver according to the MSU Denver policy in place at the time the test scores are submitted. Students are advised to have an official copy of their score(s) sent to the University in order to have that credit evaluated.
  • MSU Denver will not grant credit for a CLEP examination if, prior to the semester the exam is taken, a student has completed, or was enrolled in, college courses equivalent to or more advanced than the subject material of the exam. This restriction includes courses designated at a higher level (i.e., 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) within the same subject prefix (e.g., HIS, ENG). Credit will not be recorded on a student’s permanent record until all official transcripts from other regionally accredited colleges and universities attended by the student have been received and evaluated by the Office of Admissions.
  • Any exception to these policies must be approved through the Board on Academic Standards Exceptions (BASE). Information about filing an appeal through BASE is available from the student’s dean’s office.
  • Failure to achieve the required score(s) listed will not be entered on the permanent record. However, a copy of the CLEP score report will be retained in the student’s file.
  • Any examination may be repeated six months after the date of the previous examination.

For advising assistance with CLEP examinations and information about departmental credit by examination and portfolio assessment, students may contact the Center for Individualized Learning, St. Francis Center, 2nd floor, Room 10, 303-556-8342. Additional information about the content and format of CLEP examinations is available through the College Board website at collegeboard.com/clep. Examinations may be taken through MSU Denver’s Office of Assessment and Testing located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 347, 303 556-3677, msudenver.edu/testing. Other official testing centers can be found through the College Board website listed above.

CLEP EXAMINATION STANDARDS

 
CLEP Exam Minimum Score for
MSU Denver Credit
MSU Denver Credit

MSU Denver
General Studies

No Credit for Prior
Enrollment
2
American Government 56 3 Social and Behavioral Sciences PSC 1010
American Literature 55 3 * ENG 2210, 2220
Analysis and Interpretation of Literature1 60 3 Arts and Humanities ENG 1100,1110, 1120
College Composition 50 3 Written Communication ENG 10101
English Literature 55 3 * ENG 2310, 2330
French Language 50 10 * FRE 1010, 1020
French Language 59 16 * FRE 1010, 1020, 2010, 2110
General Biology 57 3 Natural and Physical Sciences BIO 1000
Calculus 54 3 Quantitative Literacy MTH 1410
College Algebra 54 3 Quantitative Literacy MTH 11104
College Mathematics 50 3 Quantitative Literacy MTH 1080
General Chemistry 63 4 * CHE 1800
General Chemistry 69 8 * CHE 1800, 1810
German Language 50 10 * GER 1010, 1020
German Language 60 16 * GER 1010,1020, 2110, 2310
History of the US I 50 3 Historical HIS 1210
History of the US II 50 3 Historical HIS 1220
Humanities 50 6 Arts and Humanities ARTH 1500, MUS 1000,
ENG 1100, 1110 or ENG 1120
Human Growth and Development3 50 3 * PSY 2210
Precalculus 54 3 Quantitative Literacy MTH 1400
Introductory Psychology1,3 50 3 * PSY 1001
Introduction to Educational Psychology 50 3 * PSY 1001
Introductory Sociology1 58 3 Social and Behavioral Sciences SOC 1010
Information Systems and Computer Applications 66 3 * CIS 1010, CSS 1010
Principles of Macroeconomics1 62 3 Social and Behavioral Sciences ECO 2010
Principles of Marketing 62 3 * MKT 3000
Principles of Microeconomics 61 3 Social and Behavioral Sciences ECO 2020
Principles of Management 50 3 * MGT 3000
Natural Sciences1 50 6 Natural and Physical Sciences BIO 1000, AST 1040, CHE 1010,
GEL 1010, PHY 1000
Social Science and History1 50 6 Social and Behavioral Sciences ECO 2010, HIS 1000, PSC 1010,
PSY 1001, SOC 1010
Spanish Language 50 10 * SPA 1010, 1020
Spanish Language 63 16 * SPA 1010, 1020, 2110, 2120
Western Civilization 50 3 Historical HIS 1010
Western Civilization II 50 3 Historical HIS 1020

* Does not meet general education requirements

1 Although the examinations are essentially independent, where there is overlap, credit may be obtained by completing only one of the two overlapping examinations.

2 If during or subsequent to the semester the exam is taken, the student earns credit in any course(s) in column 5, accepted at MSU Denver, the credit value of the course(s) will be subtracted from the corresponding CLEP credit previously awarded.

3 Introductory Psychology may be applied to a psychology major or minor.

4 Students wishing to take Calculus I at MSU Denver must first pass MSU Denver’s departmental calculus placement exam.

Examination scores are based on standards set by NTE/ETS and in consultation with the appropriate department chairperson.

Attainment Examinations

Any student may take attainment examinations in some departments for the purpose of waiving specific graduation requirements. Passing such an examination, although it does not reduce the number of credits required for graduation, entitles students to substitute their own choice for the required subject. The examination is approximately the equivalent of the final examination in the course.

Departmental Credit by Examination

A department may grant a student credit for college courses for which the student requests and passes appropriate examinations. The charge for each credit hour requested is one-half the student’s portion of in-state tuition for one credit hour, and must be paid prior to taking the examination. A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit may be awarded through departmental credit by examination. Credit through departmental examination is based on knowledge equivalent to a regular course offered by the University. Omnibus-numbered courses are excluded. Permission for departmental credit by examination must be obtained in advance from the instructor giving the examination, the department chair and the appropriate dean.

To earn credit by examination, a student must be currently enrolled in good standing in a degree or certificate program at the University. Credit by examination may not be counted as part of the last 12 credit hours of a degree program unless it is approved by the Board on Academic Standards Exceptions (BASE). Applications for submitting a request to BASE are available in the dean’s offices in each school.

If a student has registered for a higher numbered course in a sequence, the exam for a prerequisite for that higher-numbered course must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester. Credit by examination for a course which is a prerequisite for a course already completed will not be granted unless approved by BASE.

Examinations cannot be taken to raise grades, to remove failures, or to remove “NC,” “SP,” “I,” or “CC” notations. Credit by examination is not applicable toward academic residency requirements. Credit by examination cannot be obtained for a course in which a student has been enrolled at MSU Denver or at another regionally accredited college or university unless approved by BASE. Credit by examination will not be granted for courses attended as a listener, visitor or auditor.

Examinations for credit will be taken at a time specified by the department. A grade equivalent to “A” or “B” must be attained on the examination in order to receive credit, but credits so earned for the course will be recorded without a grade on the student’s permanent record and are not considered in computing college grade point averages.

The hours granted for credit by exam are not included as a part of the student’s semester enrollment. The credit will appear on the transcript for the semester in which the examination was taken, but the hours do not count as part of the student’s total enrollment for the purposes of financial aid or any other purpose predicated on total hours of enrollment for a given semester.

Credit by examination will be posted after a student has completed eight semester hours of credit at Metropolitan State University of Denver and after an evaluation of all transfer credit has been completed. The application form will be maintained in the student’s file. No record of failures on such examinations will be entered on the student’s permanent record. Departmental examinations attempted for course credit under these guidelines may not be repeated.

Applications for departmental credit by examination are available at the Center for Individualized Learning (303-556-8342) and from the Office of the Registrar (Student Success 160).

Portfolio Assessment

Students may apply for credit for college-level learning gained through experience by preparing and submitting a prior learning portfolio. Credit is awarded on the basis of a careful assessment of the prior learning portfolio by faculty in the department from which credit is sought. Portfolio assessment is available in many, but not all, academic departments. To earn credit, a student must be a continuing student enrolled in good standing in a degree or certificate program.

The portfolio is developed with the assistance of the Center for Individualized Learning, 303-556-8342. Portfolio assessment may be used to apply for credit for specific courses listed in the Catalog. Students may also apply for credit for omnibus courses through portfolio assessment with the permission of the appropriate academic department. Applicants for credit through portfolio assessment will generally be required to take EDS 2680-1, The Portfolio Development Workshop, which is offered as a correspondence course.

Policies that govern credit for prior learning options apply to credit awarded through the portfolio process. The charge for each credit hour assessed is one-half the student’s portion of in-state tuition for one credit hour. The assessment charge is payable prior to evaluation of the portfolio by faculty for academic credit.

Contact the Center for Individualized Learning for assistance and further information (St. Francis Center, 2nd floor, Room 10, 303-556-8342). Information sessions about portfolio assessment and other credit for prior learning options are held on a regular basis. Additional information is available on our website, msudenver.edu/cil.

Credit for Military Training and Other Training Programs

Military training and other educational programs, including DANTES, that have been assessed for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) will be evaluated by the Office of Admissions for transfer credit at MSU Denver. For formal military training, copies of training certificates and a copy of the DD-214 or DD-295 should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. In addition, students with Army training should request that an official AARTS transcript be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by calling 866-297-4427; those with Air Force training should request an official Community College of the Air Force transcript by calling 334-953-2794. Students with training from the Navy or Marines should request an official SMART transcript by calling 877-253-7122. For all other training, request official ACE transcripts by calling 202-939-9434. Credit limit is 30 semester hours.