Challenge Exam (Special Departmental Examination Program)

The examinations are constructed by the Department(s) for the purpose of measuring knowledge in a particular course being offered at UNO. Credit is granted for the course upon successful completion of the examination.

 There is a $25.00 charge for each Departmental (Challenge Exam). Departmental (Challenge Exams) are by appointment with the participating department.  (Fees are subject to change.)

Student Guidelines for Challenge Exam

  • Student must be granted permission by the Academic Department to take the Challenge Exam(s).
  • Student will go to the UNO Testing Center Office after reviewing the Credit by Examination Policy to receive a Department “Challenge Exam” Application Form.
  • Student will complete the “Student” section and pay the $25.00 (per course/non-refundable) fee at the UNO Testing Center.
  • Student will take the form to the Registrar’s Office (EAB 105) to have the “Registrar” section completed.
  • Student will take the form to the Academic Department to have the “Department Chairperson” and “Instructor” sections completed and schedule a time to take the exam(s).
  • Following testing at the Academic Department, the completed form is returned by the department to the UNO Testing Center indicating credit awarded/denied.
  • UNO Testing Center will notify the student of any remaining charge(s) (fee equal to 50% of resident tuition, minus the Challenge Exam fee).  If the actual number of courses challenged is more than the number paid for, the student will need to return to and pay for the additional courses challenged at the UNO Testing Center. This will need to be done prior to credit being posted on the UNO transcript.
  • Payment for any remaining charge(s) will be made to Student Accounts.
  • Registrar’s office will post the credit on the UNO transcript.

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Academic Department Guidelines for Challenge Exam

  • Department will grant/deny permission to take Challenge Exam(s) using the following criteria:
  1. An examination may not be attempted more than once.
  2. A student who has failed to earn credit in an attempted college course may not receive Credit by Examination in the same course.  Neither will credit be granted to raise a grade earned in any course.
  3. A student attempting Credit by Examination in a course which they are currently enrolled must do so before they have completed one month of the course.
  4. Credit by Examination will not be given for a course that is a prerequisite for a course that the student has already earned credit.  For exceptions, check with the Department.
  • Department will send the student to the UNO Testing Center Office to receive a Department “Challenge Exam” Application Form.  (This form is only given to the student by the UNO Testing Center.)
  • UNO Testing Center will give the student a “Credit by Examination at UNO” brochure or direct them to the website to access the brochure. The student will also be given a Department “Challenge Exam” Application Form.
  • UNO Testing Center will have the student complete the “Student” section and pay the $25.00 (per course/non-refundable) fee at the UNO Testing Center.
  • Student will take the form to the Registrar’s Office (EAB 105) to have the “Registrar” section completed.
  • Student will take the form to the Academic Department to have the “Department Chairperson” and the “Instructor” sections completed and schedule a time to take the exam(s).
  •  Following testing at the Academic Department, the completed form is returned by the department to the UNO Testing Center indicating credit was awarded or denied.
  • UNO Testing Center will notify the student of any remaining charge(s) (fee equal to 50% of resident tuition, minus the Challenge Exam fee). If the actual number of courses challenged is more than the number paid for, the student will need to return to and pay for the additional courses challenged at the UNO Testing Center. This will need to be done prior to credit being posted on the UNO transcript.
  • Payment for any remaining charge(s) will be made to Student Accounts.
  • Registrar’s Office will post the credit on the UNO transcript.

Note: The Department “Challenge Exam” Application Form is not available on this website.  The form is only given to the student in person by the UNO Testing Center at the start of this process.

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