Ways to Earn College Credit
Get a Head Start on Your Degree
At Marian University, we believe your hard work should go further—starting now. By earning college credit before you officially enroll, you can save time, cut costs, and step into your degree with a head start. Whether you’ve taken advanced high school courses, passed college-level exams, or gained valuable knowledge through work and life experience, we offer flexible pathways to turn what you already know into real college credit. Marian accepts up to 90 total credits, including a maximum of 30 from outside-the-classroom learning—so your adventure can begin with momentum.
Explore the ways you can earn credit and get closer to graduation—before your first day as a Marian student.
Credit by College-Level Exams During High School
If you have taken or plan to take any college-level exams, you may earn college credit at Marian. Some of these may be taken while you are in high school. A minimum score must be achieved in order to earn college credit. While there are fees associated with these exams, they can be both cost-saving and time-saving, if you achieve the minimum score for college credit.
- AP Courses
- CLEP Exams
- DSST Exams
- IB Exams
AP courses are taken in high school in a variety of academic areas, where students can demonstrate college-level knowledge. AP exams are administered by the College Board over several weeks, beginning the first full week in May, typically at the school that offers the AP course.
1) Take the AP courses through your high school. Then take the AP tests that go with each course. Important: It is not enough to take the class for credit. You must take the exams and achieve the minimum score to earn college credit.
Find out the minimum scores for AP tests to earn credit at Marian University.
2) Submit your scores to your admission counselor at Marian University.
For further information, contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar: registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
CLEP exams are administered by the College Board. They have exams in 34 subjects, that are typically taught in the first two years of college. CLEP exams are open to high school students, college students, and adult learners.
1) Register to take CLEP exams at a testing site near you through: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
Find out the minimum scores for CLEP exams to earn credit at Marian University.
2) Submit your scores to your admission counselor at Marian University.
For further information, contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar: registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
Originally developed for military personnel through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), DSST exams are now available to civilians as well. There are more than 37 subject exams to choose from.
1) Register to take DSST exams at a testing center near you. Find a test center near you through: https://getcollegecredit.com/find-a-test-center/.
To find out the minimum scores for DSST exams to earn credit at Marian University, contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.
920-923-7618 Mon. – Fri. 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
2) Submit your scores to your admission counselor at Marian University.
For further information, contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar: registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
IB exams are a standardized assessment offered as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a globally recognized pre-university education program. The exams assess students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in specific subjects. IB programs are popular among international students because they are recognized globally by universities and provide a standardized curriculum across different countries.
Higher Level (HL): More in-depth and rigorous, typically requiring 240 hours of study.
Standard Level (SL): Less intensive, requiring about 150 hours of study.
Students must take a mix of HL and SL courses for the IB Diploma.
1) You must be enrolled in high schools that offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP) and take the IB exams as part of their curriculum. Important: It is not enough to take the coursework for credit. You must take the test and achieve the minimum scores to earn college credit.
Find out the Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) courses that are transferable and the amount of credit awarded for each examination with scores of 4 or higher.
2) Submit your scores to your admission counselor at Marian University.
For further information, contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar: registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
Credit by College-Level Courses During High School
High School Students can earn college credit while still in high school by taking college-level courses either at your high school, if your high school is an approved Marian partner, or at Marian University.
- College-Level Courses Taken at Your High School
- College-Level Courses Taken at Marian
The University Collaboration Credits (Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit) Program offers an opportunity for students attending high schools that partner with Marian University to take college-level courses at their high school.
The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) offers any high school student who meets certain academic requirements to take post-secondary courses at Marian University.
Contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar
Request Info
Credit for College-Level Learning Experiences
Marian University recognizes that learning may take place outside a classroom setting and may grant undergraduate credits for prior learning through an individualized evaluation process.
- Experiential Learning
1) To qualify, students must work with their academic advisor at Marian to provide evidence/ documentation of their learning, following guidelines from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
2) Credit is granted only for learning that is comparable to courses in the Marian University curriculum. Other courses may be acceptable if they align with the student’s educational goals. If credit by examination is an option, students are encouraged to take it.
3) Fees for this process include the following:
- 0-3 Credits – No charge
- 4+ Credits – $150 per credit for portfolio assessment and transcription
Evaluations are conducted by Marian University faculty with expertise in the relevant academic areas.
For further information, contact Marian’s Office of the Registrar: registraroffice@marianuniversity.edu
Credit for Transferring to Marian
If you have earned some college credit at another four-year institution or you have completed credits at a technical or community college, then you will be considered a Transfer Student. We have a special section just for you.
