Credit Options
Transfer Credit
In the transfer credit category, students may fill degree requirements using transfer credits earned for courses taken at another college or university. The maximum number of quarter credits in this category that may be applied toward the MBA is 12 credits; the maximum number that may applied toward the BBA or BS ranges up to 108 (depending on the program selected); and the maximum number toward the ABA or AAS is 58. Credit in this category does not include a grade and does not count in the student's grade point average or toward the Cleary University residency requirement.
Students who have received college credit with a grade of “C” or better from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body such as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association may transfer these credits to Cleary. Credit for courses from a non-accredited postsecondary institution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and credit may be given if the course content and academic standards of the institution meet the requirements of Cleary University.
Cleary University’s transfer policy is designed to support not only the transfer student from a community college or similar two-year institution, but also those students who have attended other four-year institutions. Course equivalency guides are prepared for many Michigan colleges and universities.
Prior Learning Credit
Cleary University recognizes that students gain knowledge and skills in a variety of ways. Examples include work settings, professional organizations, travel, avocations, leadership positions, volunteering, workplace training, military service, etc. When learning takes place in a non-traditional learning environment (not documented on a college transcript) and is equivalent to college-level learning, Cleary University offers several options for documentation of academic credit up to a maximum of 45 undergraduate credits. It is important to note that the emphasis for granting credit is on what is learned, rather than on what is experienced.
Prior learning options include:
University policy requires that undergraduate students who elect to earn credit by utilizing the prior learning option submit documentation prior to the first day of the final term of the student’s program. Assessment fees for prior learning are included in tuition through the first day of the final term of each student’s program. Late submissions are accepted for evaluation; however, fees and restrictions apply.
Directed Training
Cleary University evaluates professional training for college credit. Directed Training includes professional workplace or vendor-supplied training that has a standardized structure, is verifiable and is available to others in the same format. Examples include workshops, seminars, licenses, and apprenticeships. Credit petitions should include confirmation of training completion such as a certificate, transcript, or training record. Submissions should also include a verifiable record of contact hours. Finally, a curriculum outline, syllabus, or other subject-matter documentation should be included.
- Validation of hours
- Credentials of the instructor
- Organization-sponsored training
- Type and format of instruction (lab, lecture, clinical)
- Course outline or syllabus
- Course requirements
- Text and other related course materials
- Assigned homework
- Assessment experiences (exams, exit assessment, research papers)
- Rigor of the course (at least college level)
- Review of the selection process of students
- Review of duplicated credit
Proficiency Portfolio
A Proficiency Portfolio is a documentation-based option whereby students provide evidence that they have achieved the learning outcomes of a Cleary University course as outlined in a course syllabus. Most lower-division courses are eligible for this option; however, the residency requirement courses are not eligible for this option. Students should take care to present the portfolio in an organized, professional, and thorough manner. Examples of supporting evidence to be included in a portfolio include: certificates of training, samples of work, a résumé, a copy of a performance review, and/or a letter of verification of skills from an employer or supervisor. The documentation should provide clear and convincing evidence that the student has achieved the learning outcomes for the course as specified in the credit petition. Generally, multiple types of documentation increase the likelihood that credit will be awarded.
Proficiency Examinations
Proficiency Examinations or Cleary Exams are objective, computer-based tests focusing on the course outcomes listed on the course syllabus for many lower-division Cleary University courses. They are similar to a final examination for a course. Cleary Exam Preview Guides, which provide topics covered, study resources, credit value, number, and type of test questions, as well as other relevant test information, are available for many of the Cleary exams. The Campus Center staff at each campus administers exams by appointment. Again, residency requirement courses are excluded from this option.
Prior Learning Elective Credit (PLEC)
Prior Learning Elective Credit (PLEC) is a proficiency documentation option through which a student may receive credit for an undergraduate elective course by providing verification of mastery of a predetermined number of course objectives outlined as a course syllabus from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Course syllabi may also be selected from among those provided by Cleary University. The PLEC process requires a student to provide documentation of learning and an official declaration of verification. PLEC documentation reports resulting in the awarding of credit are audited to confirm process validity.
CLEP and DANTES
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is a widely-accepted, credit-by-examination program that allows students to demonstrate mastery of a subject matter by earning the appropriate score on a CLEP examination. Cleary University is an approved testing site and students may choose from 34 subject tests on common, introductory college topics. Tests are administered by appointment in the Campus Center at the Ann Arbor campus. There is a nominal testing fee for each exam. Students who have previously completed a CLEP exam should request that an official copy of the score report be sent to the Cleary University Records Office.
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) sponsors a wide range of examination programs to assist armed service members in meeting their educational goals. The DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO), who is normally the Education Services Officer or Navy College Education Specialist for the military installation, administers the examinations on more than 560 military installations.
The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) program is an extensive series of examinations in college subjects including business, humanities, science, social science, mathematics, and education that is comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses. Each exam is equivalent to 4.5 quarter-hours of credit at Cleary University. DANTES funds DSST testing for eligible service members and personnel at DANTES military test centers.
Military Training or Experience
Cleary University recognizes college credit for military training and experience. Four and one-half credits are awarded for each year of active military service (Reserve and National Guard service is excluded) up to a maximum of 20 hours. To receive credit for military service, students should submit a copy of the discharge form (DD214). Should a review of a student’s military training records indicate there is potential for greater credit award, then copies of the military training records and/or a copy of the transfer or discharge form (DD214) will be submitted to the American Council on Education, Department of Military Evaluations, for a credit recommendation.
Advanced Placement Program
Advanced Placement Program allows individuals—usually high school students—to demonstrate academic ability by taking an Advanced Placement Exam. Credit may be granted based on satisfactory scores (three or higher on a five-point scale) for the 29 Advanced Placement Exams sponsored by The College Board. Students may request a copy of the exam results from The College Board, 45 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023.
High School Articulation
High School Articulation credit will be granted to students for competencies achieved as part of a formal articulation agreement with a secondary, proprietary or charter school. Cleary University has articulation agreements with the following high schools:
- Kensington Woods
- Fowlerville High School
- Hartland High School
- Howell High School
- Livingston Applied Technology Education Consortium (LATEC)
- RCTC, Ypsilanti High School
Second Degree Policy
Individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree, either from Cleary University or another regionally accredited institution, may earn a second baccalaureate degree by completing residency requirements including core and major courses (credit hours required vary by major, 78-96 hours for undergraduate majors). Pre-requisite courses, including pre-major courses, for residency courses also apply. Course substitutions or transfer will be permitted for core courses. For majors that share course requirements, course substitutions will be selected. Project courses, when required, will be required for both majors. A minimum of 30 hours is required to earn a second degree. Additionally, for Cleary alumni, the Cleary Alumni Grant can be used for courses taken and applied to a second degree. The second degree policy is not applicable to graduate degrees.
Second Major
Undergraduate students enrolled in upper division courses may elect to complete a second major. Completion of the major courses for the first and second major for degrees sharing the same core courses and any required pre-requisite courses must be completed within three years of beginning the upper division course sequence to qualify for a second major. For majors where different core courses are required, completion of the unduplicated core courses will also be required. For majors that share course requirements, course substitutions will be selected. Project courses, when required, will be required for both majors. A second major is not applicable to graduate degrees.
