Students may also begin their college careers while still in high school by enrolling in independent study courses. The Independent Study Program is described in greater detail in the University Extension section.
Lower division credit in nursing may be awarded to students who are already registered nurses and who earn scores of 45 or higher on the following PEP tests: Fundamentals of Nursing (403); Maternal and Child Nursing, Associate Degree (453); Adult Nursing (554); Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (503).
For more information on PEP tests, contact the Counseling and Testing Center at (859) 257-8701.
Students who receive Advanced Placement credit for a course may apply this credit the same way credit earned by passing a course is applied. UK does not recognize College Board SAT II Subject Tests for placement or credit purposes.
Academic departments have designated the current policy (see chart) for students who score 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examinations. For subject areas marked with an asterisk (*), students are encouraged to submit examinations to the appropriate department for evaluation. No specific score guarantees placement or credit, but each examination is evaluated on its own merit. Each year many students receive credit or placement in these disciplines.
For more information on UK's Advanced Placement policy, contact:
The General Examinations at UK measure college-level achievement in two basic areas of the liberal arts: English composition and natural sciences. Both CLEP General Examinations may be recognized as appropriate credit for meeting degree requirements. Colleges and departments within the University, in consultation with the Office of Admissions and the Office of the Registrar, determine and publish appropriate cutoff scores. The amount of awarded credit that may be used in meeting curricular requirements is determined by the colleges. Scores are listed in the Policy Guide for CLEP General Examinations below.
The Subject Examinations cover specific material that is common to courses at many universities. UK has recognized the majority of CLEP Subject Examinations since 1972.
Credit for University courses is awarded to students who obtain the listed scores on the appropriate Examinations, as listed in the Policy Guide for CLEP Subject Examinations below.
The Registrar's Office is responsible for all official posting of credit to a student's record. For information regarding these matters, call the Registrar's Office at (859) 257-8729.
These examinations are prepared and administered by the offering department, and are usually equivalent to a final examination. Students must be enrolled in good standing at UK. The examinations are offered without charge.
Almost any course offered at the University is available for credit by special examination, regardless of whether a student has audited the course, is currently enrolled in it, or has studied it independently. Please note, most elementary and intermediate foreign language courses are not available on the basis of a special examination.
More information about special examination credit appears in the Academic Requirements section.
English Examination: Students who have a standard score of 29 or above on the English section of the ACT Assessment (560 or above on the SATI verbal score) may elect to take a special writing proficiency examination administered by the English Department's Writing Program. Students who pass this examination are eligible to fulfill the University Writing requirement by successfully completing ENG 105, Writing: An Accelerated Course. Students who do not pass must take the normal sequence of ENG 101-102. For more information, contact the Writing Program Office, 1221 Patterson Office Tower, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, (859) 257-7002.
The University's colleges and departments determine the amount of credit that will apply to a student's curriculum.
Information on PONSI appears in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
The University of Kentucky Honors Program offers outstanding students, especially those interested in developing independent and critical thinking, a special program and a special identity within the framework of the larger institution. The Honors Program is an important part of the University's commitment to academic excellence in undergraduate education.
The Honors curriculum includes four seminars in the history of ideas, tracing the development of Western civilization from antiquity to the present, providing a sound basis for a liberal arts education. Juniors and seniors in the Honors Program may enroll in the Honors Proseminars, which vary each semester and explore multidisciplinary topics. Upperclass students also complete an independent project of research or artistic expression. The Honors Program, its curriculum and special features are described in detail in the Honors Program section.
The Donovan Scholars Program sponsors a variety of education programs for older adults. One of the most outstanding is the Herman L. Donovan Senior Citizens Fellowship program (described below).
Other programs include a biweekly lecture series on a variety of topics and classes in art, computers, dulcimer, chorus, reader's theatre, physical fitness, writing your autobiography, and Great Decisions. Anyone over age 60 can participate in these noncredit courses and activities.
For more information about the Donovan Fellowship, contact:
Additional support will be provided to these students via the University Writing Center.
Transfer students enrolled in a degree program who have not taken and successfully passed a college-level course in English will be placed in our introductory ENG 101 (Writing 1) course.
Additional support will be provided to these students via the University Writing Center.
Transfer students enrolled in a degree program who have not taken and successfully passed a college-level course in math will be placed in MA 108R (Intermediate Algebra).
Students (freshmen and transfers) may choose to take our math placement exam if they desire to enroll in a higher-level math course than MA 108R.
Transfer students may provide ACT/SAT scores to demonstrate their eligibility to take higher level (above MA 108R) courses without the exam.
All students with less than an 18 in English, reading, and math will be identified in SIS for tracking purposes and feedback to CPE.
SAT equivalencies will also be subject to the above policies.
All UK students converting from non-degree status to degree status who have not yet taken and successfully passed a college-level course in math or English or can provide ACT/SAT scores above the minimum stated requirements, are subject to specified policies.
The goal for these policies will be to provide support and appropriate preparation in English, reading, and math to insure student academic success at the University of Kentucky.
| PLACEMENT INFORMATION FOR ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES | |||
| Students entering UK must meet basic skills in the University Studies Program. The placement information outlined below plays an important role in determining specific options for meeting these requirements. Please carefully read the placement information below to determine which placement exams you may benefit from taking. | |||
| ENGLISH | |||
| All students must fulfill the University Writing Requirement. Most students do this by taking two semesters of writing (ENG 101 and ENG 102). However, if you qualify (ACT English Score = 29 or greater, SAT Verbal Score = 630 or greater, and you are not admitted to the Honors Program), you may take the English Proficiency Exam. Passing this exam will allow you to fulfill the Writing Requirement by taking the one-semester accelerated course (ENG 105). NOTE: This exam is for placement only; no credit will be awarded. | |||
| You have scored 3 or greater on the English literature/composition AP exam | English proficiency exam not required | Enroll in ENG 105 | |
| You have taken the AP English exam but do not yet have your score | ----------- | You may choose to enroll in ENG 105 in anticipation of scoring more than or equal to 3 on the AP exam. If you do not take the exam or do not meet this score, you must then change your registration to ENG 101 | |
| You have been accepted and plan to enroll in the UK Honors Program | ----------- | Enroll in HON 101 | |
| You have applied to the UK Honors Program but have not yet been accepted | and | English proficiency exam not taken or not passed | Enroll in ENG 101 pending your acceptance into the Honors Program |
| or | English proficiency exam passed | Enroll in ENG 105 pending your acceptance into the Honors Program | |
| If your ACT English score is less than or equal to 28 (SAT Verbal Score: less than or equal to 620) | ----------- | Enroll in ENG 101 | |
| If your ACT English score is more than or equal to 29 (SAT Verbal Score: more than or equal to 630) | and | You passed the UK English Placement Exam | Enroll in ENG 105 |
| and | You did not take the AP Exam and do not wish to take the UK English Placement Exam | Enroll in ENG 101 | |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE | |||
| You must complete two years of a foreign language in secondary school (as indicated on your official transcripts) or a two-semester sequence in college in the same language to satisfy the basic skills requirement in foreign language. Students who have had only high school French, German, or Spanish and plan to continue in the same language must take a Foreign Language Placement Exam. | |||
| Some colleges at UK only require the completion of two years of a foreign language in a secondary school, while others (e.g., Arts and Sciences and Communications and Information Studies) may have additional foreign language requirements beyond the two-semester sequence required by the University Studies Program. Please ask your advisor about your college and major requirements. | |||
| You have had one year or more of French, German, or Spanish in high school and plan to take additional courses in this language at UK | Language placement exam required | Enroll in appropriate course determined by placement exam | |
| You have did not take any foreign language in high school | ----------- | Enroll in first-semester language course (no language placement exam required) | |
| You are planning to enroll in a new language at UK | ----------- | Enroll in first-semester language course (no language placement exam required) | |
| PLACEMENT INFORMATION FOR MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY COURSES | |||
| These prerequisites are in effect and will be applied to entering freshmen. Students should see their advisor before enrolling in any courses. | |||
| MATHEMATICS | |||
| You may satisfy the basic skills requirement in mathematics with one of the following: a score of 26 on the mathematics section of the ACT (or a 540 SAT math score); a bypass examination; MA 109 College Algebra; MA 110 Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry; or any calculus course. The chart below will help determine which math course you are eligible to take or to determine if you should take the math placement test. | |||
| If your ACT Math Score is: | |||
| Less than or equal to 17 (Math SAT: less than or equal to 410) | and | Math placement test not taken or not passed | Enrollment permitted in MA 108R (enrollment in MA 109 barred) |
| or | Level 1 math placement test passed | Enrollment permitted in MA 109 | |
| 18, 19, or 20 (Math SAT: 420-460) | and | Math placement test not taken or not passed | Enrollment permitted in MA 109 (enrollment in MA 123, MA 110 and MA 113 barred) |
| or | Level 1 math placement test passed | Enrollment permitted in MA 123 (enrollment in MA 110 and MA 113 barred) | |
| 21 - 25 (Math SAT: 470-530) | Level 1 math placement test not required | Enrollment permitted in MA 123 (enrollment in MA 113 barred) | |
| 23 - 25 (Math SAT: 520-530) | Level 1 math placement test not required | Enrollment permitted in MA 110 | |
| 24 - 25 (Math SAT: 520-530) | Level 2 math placement test passed | Enrollment permitted in MA 113 and MA 193 | |
| 26 or greater (Math SAT: 540 or greater) | Math placement test not required | Enrollment permitted in MA 113 and MA 193 | |
| CHEMISTRY 105 | |||
| Proficiency in chemistry and biology are options in the disciplinary requirements of the University Studies Program. If you plan to major in science, nursing, engineering, or a health profession, chemistry and biology may be important parts of your first year at UK. A strong math background is essential for success in chemistry, and a strong chemistry background is essential for success in biology. The chart below can help you determine what level of science you're eligible to take or to determine if you should take the chemistry placement test. | |||
| If your ACT Math Score is: | |||
| Less than or equal to 20 (Math SAT: less than or equal to 460) | and | Math or chemistry placement tests not taken or not passed and MA 109 not completed | Enrollment in CHE 105 barred |
| or | Level 1 math placement test passed and enrollment permitted in MA 123 | Enrollment permitted in CHE 105 | |
| or | Level 1 chemistry placement test passed | Enrollment permitted in CHE 105 | |
| or | MA 109 completed with passing grade | Enrollment permitted in CHE 105 | |
| 21 or greater (Math SAT: 470 or greater) | Chemistry placement test not required | Enrollment permitted in CHE 105 | |
| BIOLOGY 150, 152 | |||
| If your ACT Math Score is: | |||
| Less than or equal to 25 (Math SAT: less than or equal to 520) | and | CHE 105 not completed or chemistry placement test not taken or not passed | Enrollment in BIO 150 and BIO 152 barred |
| or | Level 2 chemistry placement test passed and CHE 105 taken concurrently | Enrollment permitted in BIO 150 or BIO 152 | |
| or | CHE 105 completed with a passing grade | Enrollment permitted in BIO 150 or BIO 152 | |
| 26 or greater (Math SAT: 530 or greater) | and | CHE 105 taken concurrently | Enrollment permitted in BIO 150 or BIO 152 |
| Math and Chemistry Placement Tests will be given on the UK campus during most advising conference periods and during the summer two-day advising sessions. If the student chooses not to take the Placement Test or does not perform well on the Placement Test, then the ACT/SAT Math criteria listed will govern entry to courses. Listed SAT scores are valid for exams taken on or after April 1995; if you took the SAT prior to April 1995, please let your advisor know. | |||
| AP Test | Score | Credit Awarded | Credit Statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 4 | - | The Department of Political Science awards placement only, no credit. Exemption from PS 101 if in pursuit of a political science degree. |
| 5 | PS 101 | 3 credit hours for PS 101 with a grade of CR. | |
| American History | 3 - 5 | HIS 108, 109 | 3 credit hours each for HIS 108, 109 with a grade of CR. |
| Art History | 3 - 5 | A-H 106 | 3 credit hours for A-H 106 with a grade of CR. |
| Art Studio* | |||
| Biology | 4 or 5 | BIO 150, 152, BIO 151, 153 | Recommended for biology majors, preprofessional students or students who intend to take advanced courses in the life sciences. 3 credit hours each for BIO 150, 152 with a grade of CR. 2 credit hours each for BIO 151, 153 with a grade of CR. |
| Calculus AB | 3 - 5 | MA 113 | 4 credit hours for MA 113 with grade of CR. |
| Calculus BC | 3 - 5 | MA 113, 114 | 4 credit hours each for MA 113, 114 with a grade of CR. |
| Chemistry | 3 - 5 | CHE 105, 107 | 3 credit hours each for CHE 105, CHE 107 with grade of CR. |
| Computer Science A | 3 - 5 | CS 115 | 3 credit hours for CS 115 with a grade of CR. |
| Computer Science AB | 3 - 5 | CS 115, 215 | 3 credit hours for CS 115 and 4 credit hours for CS 215 each with a grade of CR. |
| Economics (micro) | 3 - 5 | ECO 201 | 3 credit hours for ECO 201 with grade of CR. |
| Economics (macro) | 3 - 5 | ECO 202 | 3 credit hours for ECO 202 with grade of CR. |
| English Literature/Composition or English Language/ |
3 - 5 | ENG 161 | 3 credit hours for ENG 161 with a grade of CR. Automatic admission to ENG 105, regardless of ACT English score or SAT Verbal score. ENG 105 proficiency examination Composition not required. (See University Writing Requirement). |
| European History | 3 - 5 | HIS 104, 105 | 3 credit hours each for HIS 104, 105 with grade of CR. |
| French Language | 3 | FR 201 | 3 credit hours for FR 201 with grade of CR. |
| 4 or 5 | FR 201, 202 | 3 credit hours each for FR 201, 202. | |
| French Literature | 3 - 5 | FR 304 | 3 credit hours for FR 304 with grade of CR. |
| German Language | 3 | GER 201 | 3 credit hours for GER 201 with grade of CR. |
| 4 or 5 | GER 201, 202 | 3 credit hours each for GER 201, GER 202 with grade of CR. | |
| Latin | 3 | CLA 201, 202 | 3 credit hours each for CLA 201, 202 with a grade of CR upon completion of University Latin course at the 300 level or above. |
| 4 or 5 | CLA 201, 202, 302 | 3 credit hours each for CLA 201, 202, and 302 with a grade of CR upon completion of University Latin course at the 300 level or above. | |
| Music* | |||
| Physics B** | 3 - 5 | PHY 201, 203 | 4 credit hours each for PHY 201, 203 with grade of CR. |
| Physics C*** (mechanics) | 3 - 5 | PHY 231 | 4 credit hours for PHY 231 with grade of CR. |
| Physics C*** (electricity) | 3 - 5 | PHY 232 | 4 credit hours for PHY 232 with grade of CR. |
| Politics and Comparative Politics | 4 | - | The Department of Political Science awards placement only, no credit. Exemption from PS 210 if in pursuit of a political science degree. |
| 5 | PS 210 | 3 credit hours for PS 210 with a grade of CR. | |
| Psychology | 4 - 5 | PSY 100 | 4 credit hours for PSY 100 with grade of CR. |
| Spanish Language | 3 | SPI 202 | 3 credit hours for SPI 202 with grade of CR. |
| 4 | SPI 210 | 3 credit hours for SPI 210 with grade of CR. | |
| 5 | SPI 210, 310 | 3 credit hours each for SPI 210, 310 with grade of CR. | |
| Spanish Literature | 3 | SPI 202 | 3 credit hours for SPI 202 with grade of CR. |
| 4 | SPI 320 | 3 credit hours for SPI 320 with grade of CR. | |
| 5 | SPI 320, 322 | 3 credit hours each for SPI 320, 322 with grade of CR. | |
| Statistics | 3 - 5 | STA 291 | 3 credit hours for STA 291 with grade of CR. |
| *Examination is referred to the department. No specific score guarantees credit or placement. | |||
| **Upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience, credit will also be given for the laboratory portions of these courses. | |||
| ***Upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience, credit will also be given for the laboratories associated with these courses, PHY 241, 242 respectively. | |||