Academic Alternatives @ Medaille

Alernataives in Earning Credit for Nontraditional Students

Medaille College recognizes that adult students may possess knowledge and experiences distinguishing them from the traditional college student. Therefore, Medaille College offers adult students the opportunity to obtain credit for this knowledge and those experiences, through Academic Alternatives.

The Academic Alternative process deals solely with college-level knowledge obtained outside the accredited college classroom. This includes, for example, formal learning gained through successful completion of coursework sponsored by business, military, and government institutions; it also may include, for example, knowledge obtained through career experiences, business expertise, and volunteer work.

The most essential thing to keep in mind about Academic Alternatives is that credit is not awarded for experience (no matter how sophisticated) but for the student's ability to demonstrate that these experiences, knowledge, and/or skills are comparable to what is required within Medaille College's degree programs and courses.

For enrolled Medaille students, the primary avenues for Academic Alternatives are Challenge Exams and Prior Learning Assessment.

Academic Alternatives Offered at Medaille

Challenge Exam
   Students who think they have the knowledge base for a particular course may be able to take a challenge exam instead of enrolling in the course. Courses open to Challenge Exams are listed in the application packet. This is the only Academic Alternative given residential credit. Fee: $100 each, non- refundable.

Prior Learning Assessment
    Students have the opportunity to work with the Portfolio Advisor to prepare a portfolio which demonstrates college-level knowledge/skills that have been acquired through career and life experiences. The portfolio is directed at addressing objectives for a particular course(s) at Medaille College. Students must discuss possible courses for PLA with the Portfolio Advisor. Fee: $100 non-refundable application fee for each course. $75 for each credit earned.

Are there any deadlines?
    Deadlines exist for Challenge Exams (CE) and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) alternatives:

* ACCEL Students check with Student Services for deadlines based on cohort sequences and degree conferral dates.

Questions & Answers

How do I earn college credit?
   You must demonstrate that the experiences, knowledge, and/or skills are comparable to what is required within Medaille College's courses. Each option provides the opportunity to earn transfer credit, except the Challenge Exam which is considered residential credit.

How many credits can I earn towards my Medaille degree?
   The total number of credits earned through any combination of academic alternatives cannot exceed 60 for the baccalaureate degree or 30 for the associates degree. All students working toward the bachelor's degree must earn the last 30 credits in coursework at Medaille; for the associate degree, the last 15 credits.

How and when do I apply?
   In order to apply for credit for the Challenge Exam & Prior Learning Assessment, a student must be currently enrolled at Medaille College. Students can contact Ms. Jenifer Bavifard, Associate Dean for Special Programs (Academic Alternatives Coordinator), or Ms. Deborah Ceppaglia, Assistant Academic Dean (Portfolio Advisor), for information and application materials.
    Any new students interested in Academic Alternatives should first meet with Admissions to begin the process of applying to the College. Transfer credit and non-college sponsored credits are evaluated by the Medaille Registrar's Office.

How are credits earned through Academic Alternatives reflected on my Medaille transcript?
    Credits earned are posted on the transcript as a separate designation during the semester in which the credit is awarded. There is an indication of which alternative was pursued. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades are issued for Challenge Exams and Prior Learning Assessment.

What other Academic Alternatives are available?
   Medaille offers DANTES exams on campus. All other alternatives are options taken at other institutions and are eligible for possible transfer credit at Medaille.

DANTES Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support
    Students can choose from a series of multiple-choice standardized tests in various college and technical subjects. These tests generally cover the knowledge/skills acquired during lower level undergraduate work. Test subject areas include physical science, applied technology, math, business, social sciences and humanities. These exams are administered at Medaille. Fee: $85 each, nonrefundable

Regents College Examination Program
   The Regents College Examination Program of college level exams are computer delivered exams administered at Sylvan Learning Centers. Exams are multiple-choice, extended response, or a combination of both in areas of arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. They focus on testing knowledge acquired, ranging from lower level to upper division levels. Fees: $60-360 each.

CLEP (College Level Examinations Program)
    Offered through CLEP are a series of general and specific exams measuring lower level college material. The five general exams cover English composition, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and history. There are also 29 subject exams offered as timed and multiple-choice with essay. Fee: $46 each.

AP (Advanced Placement)
    High school students may take college-level courses through their high schools. A formal exam taken at the completion of the course and scored by CEEB, may be accepted as transfer credit. Evaluation is conducted by the Medaille Registrar's Office.

Military Service/ACE-Military
   There are formal courses offered through the armed services eligible for transfer credit. A DD214 form should be submitted. Evaluation is conducted by the Medaille Registrar's Office.

ACE CCRS (American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service)
   These high quality educational programs, appropriate for college credit, are conducted by non-collegiate organizations. Evaluation is conducted by the Medaille Registrar's Office.

For additional details contact Medaille College, Agassiz Circle,
Buffalo, New York 14214 (716)884-3281 or (800)292-1582.