Challenge Exams

The College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) recognizes that valuable learning happens beyond the traditional classroom. In the Degree Completion and Adult Learning (DCAL) unit we work with students who bring meaningful professional, cultural, military, entrepreneurial, and community experience to help them earn academic credit through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Challenge Exams.

Challenge exams are faculty-developed assessments that allow students to “test out” of specific courses by demonstrating mastery of the course learning outcomes. These assessments measure equivalent learning without requiring completion of the traditional class.

Depending on the course, a challenge exam may include:

• A comprehensive final exam or equivalent assessment
• A writing assignment comparable to a final paper
• An interview
• A combination of assessment methods

By earning credit through a challenge exam, students may save both time and tuition costs while accelerating progress toward their degree.