Delaware Valley University's Prior Learning Assessment process grants you the ability to attain college credit for experiences and achievements outside of the traditional classroom. This opportunity can save you money and time, and get you closer to graduation based on learning that has already been completed.
There are many different options for you to take advantage of prior learning assessment. You are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors and department chair(s) to discuss whether or not your experience, certificate, or other learning opportunity could qualify you to receive credit toward graduation. Please follow the links below to learn more about your prior learning assessment options.

Follow this link to explore
- Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Course Credit
- High School Articulation Agreements
If you have participated in Advanced Placement courses in high school and took the final examination you may be eligible to receive college credit based on your scores. Please visit https://www.collegeboard.org/ to have your scores sent to:
Delaware Valley University
Office of the Registrar
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA 18901
Listed below are the courses and/or credits awarded for receiving a minimum of a 3 on an AP Exam:
AP Course |
Score of 3 or 4 Equivalent |
Score of 5 Equivalent |
Art History |
LA-1060 (3 credits) |
LA-1060 (3cr) + 3 cr Elective |
Art-Drawing |
3 cr Elective |
6 cr Elective |
Art-General |
3 cr Elective |
6 cr Elective |
Biology |
BY-1113 (4cr) OR |
BY-1113 (4 cr) + BY-1214 (4 cr) OR |
|
BY-1116 (4cr) |
BY-1116 (4 cr) + BY-1217 (4 cr) |
Calculus AB |
MP-1204 (4 cr) |
MP-1204 (4 cr) +Elective (4 cr) |
Calculus BC |
MP-1204 (4 cr) |
MP-1204 (4 cr) + Elective (4 cr) |
Calc AB+BC |
MP-1204 (4 cr) |
MP-1204 (4 cr) + MP-2121 (4 cr) |
Chemistry |
CH-1103 (3 cr) |
CH-1103 (4 cr) + CH-1203 (4 cr) |
Computer Science A |
IT-2218 (3 cr) |
IT-2218 (3 cr) + Elective (3 cr) |
Computer Science AB |
IT-2218 (3 cr) |
IT-2218 (3 cr) + IT-3117 (3 cr) |
Microeonomics |
BA-2210 |
BA-2210 + Elective (3 cr) |
Macroeconomics |
BA-2008 |
BA-2008 + Elective (3 cr) |
English Lang/Comp |
EN-1101 |
EN-1101 + EN-1201 |
English Lit/Comp |
EN-1101 |
EN-1101 + EN-1201 |
English Lang&Lit |
EN-1101 + EN-1201 |
EN-1101 + EN-1201 + Elective (6 cr) |
Environmental Science |
Elective (3 cr) OR |
Elective (6 cr) OR |
|
BY-1216 |
BY-1216 + Elective (3 cr) |
French Language |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
French Literature |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
European History |
LA-2040 |
LA-2040 + Elective (3 cr) |
German Language |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Govt and Politics US |
LA-1032 |
LA-1032 + Elective (3 cr) |
Govt and Politics COMP |
LA-4037 |
LA-4037 + Elective (3 cr) |
Human Geography |
LA-3240 |
LA-3240 + Elective (3cr) |
International English Language |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Latin- Vergil |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Latin- Lit |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Music Theory |
LA-1060 |
LA-1060 + Elective (3 cr) |
Physics B |
MP-2119 (4 cr) |
MP-2119 (4 cr) MP-2219 (4 cr) |
Physics C- Mech |
MP-2123 (4 cr) |
MP-2123 (4 cr) + Elective (4 cr) |
Physics C- Mech and Elec |
MP-2123 (4 cr) |
MP-2123 (4 cr) + Elective (4 cr) |
Psychology |
PY-2036 |
PY-2036 + Elective (3 cr) |
Spanish Language |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Spanish Literature |
Elective (3 cr) |
Elective (6 cr) |
Statistics |
MP-2215 (4 cr) OR |
MP-2215 (4 cr) + Elective (4 cr) OR |
|
MP-2114 (3 cr) |
MP-2114 (3 cr) + Elective (3 cr) |
US History |
LA-1032 |
LA-1032 + Elective (3 cr) |
World History |
LA-4037 |
LA-4037 + Elective (3 cr) |
All incoming students are placed into Fundamentals of Writing (EN 0012) or College Writing I (EN 1101) based on their SAT score, ACT score, OR overall high school GPA.
In order to place into College Writing I, students must meet at least ONE of the following:
- Score of 480 or higher on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam (EBRW)
- Score of 18 or above on the ACT English Language Arts exam (ELA)
- Overall high school GPA of 2.6 or above
Students who do not meet the above criteria are placed into Fundamentals of Writing (EN 0012).
Exceptions are as follows:
- Students who have received transfer credits in English Composition
- Students who have received a score of 3 or better on the AP English exam
Note: College Writing I (EN 1101) is the first college-level writing course. It is worth 3 credits which count toward a student’s required credits for graduation. The grade received in this class is calculated into a student’s GPA. EN 1101 is also a prerequisite for several courses.
Fundamentals of Writing (EN 0012) is a pass/no pass remedial writing course whose aim is to prepare students for success in College Writing I (EN 1101). Students receive three credits, but those credits will not count toward required credits for graduation, and the grade received in the class will not be calculated into a student’s GPA.
If a student places into Fundamentals of Writing (EN 0012) but believes they have strong writing skills and could do well in College Writing I (EN 1101), they have the option to challenge their English placement by taking a diagnostic essay exam during orientation.
All incoming students will be placed in a mathematics course based on standardized test scores or an online placement exam.
Standardized Test Placement:
- Students who score below 500 on the SAT Mathematics section will be enrolled in MP 0010, Fundamentals of Algebra. The ACT Score range for this placement is 0-16.
- Students who score between 501 and 640 on the SAT Mathematics section will be enrolled in MP 1102, College Algebra. The ACT Score range for this placement is 17-24. Students in this range whose academic programs prefer that they begin with MP 1203, Elementary Functions, or MP 1210, Applied Mathematics, can complete an online diagnostic assessment to determine appropriate course selection.
- Students who score 640 or higher on the SAT-Mathematics section may enroll in MP 1204, Calculus I, or a lower-level Mathematics course based upon program requirements. For this placement, ACT scores must be 25 or greater.
Some exceptions to these placements include the following:
- Students who have received advanced placement (AP) credit for Calculus I
- Students who have received transfer credit for a mathematics course taken at another institution and approved by the Mathematics and Physics Department as equivalent to any of the above courses.
For students who were admitted to Delaware Valley University in programs not requiring standardized test scores, the results of a placement exam will determine the mathematics course in which they will be enrolled. Students who pass Part 1 of the Exam will be enrolled in College Algebra. Students who pass Part 2 of the Exam will be enrolled in Elementary Functions or Applied Mathematics. Students who pass Part 3 will be enrolled in Calculus I. Students wanting to take placement exams beyond Part 1 must pass Part 1 before attempting Part 2. Part 2 of the Exam must be passed before Part 3 is attempted.
*Fundamentals of Algebra (MP 0010) is a pass/no pass remedial algebra course whose aim is to prepare students for success in College Algebra (MP 1102). Students receive three credits, but those credits will not count toward required credits for graduation, and the grade received in the class will not be calculated into a student’s GPA. Students assigned to this course are required to take MP 1102 and MP 1203 or MP 1210.
CLEP Exams are an optional test offered to high school students to receive college credit for subjects students already excel in. For more information on how to take a CLEP test or order your scores please visit this link.
Listed below are the courses and/or credits DVU awards students who take the CLEP examination and score above the 50th percentile:
CLEP Examination |
DVU Course Equivalent |
American Government |
LA-3032 Mod American History and Gov't |
History of the United States I |
Elective |
History of the United States II |
Elective |
American Literature |
EN-2028 Literature Requirement |
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
EN-2028 Literature Requirement |
Calculus with Elementary Functions |
MP-1204 Calculus I |
College Algebra |
MP-1103 College Algebra |
College Algebra- Trig |
MP-1203 Elementary Functions |
Pre-Calculus |
MP-1203 Elementary Functions |
Calculus |
MP-1204 Calculus I |
Information Systems and Computer Apps |
IT-1011 and 1012 Info Tech and Computer Apps |
Educational Psychology |
ED-2230 Educations Psychology |
English Literature |
EN-2028 Literature Requirement |
French Language |
LA-1113 and LA-1214 French I and II |
College Composition Modular with Essay |
EN-1101 Comp I |
General Biology |
Science Requirement (Business IT majors only) |
General Chemistry |
Science Requirement (Business IT majors only) |
Introductory Psychology |
LA-2036 Intro to Psych |
German Language |
LA-1160 and LA-1261 German I and II |
Human Growth and Development |
LA-2036 Intro to Psych |
Principles of Accounting |
BA-2123 Accounting I |
Introductory Business Law |
BA-2161 Business Law I |
Principles of Management |
BA-1005 Intro to Business |
Principles of Microeconomics |
BA-2210 Microeconomics |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
BA-2008 Macroeconomics |
Principles of Marketing |
BA-2017 Principles of Marketing |
Introductory Sociology |
LA-2012 Introduction to Sociology |
Spanish Language |
LA-1112 and LA-1212 Spanish I and II |
Trigonometry |
Elective |
Wester Civilization I |
Elective |
Wester Civilization II |
LA-2040 Modern History of Western Societies |
Humanities |
EN-2028 Literature Requirement |
College Mathematics |
MO-1102, MP-1203 College Algebra and Elementary Functions |
Natural Sciences |
BY-1115 and BY-1216 Natural Science I and II |
Social Sciences and History |
LA-2012, LA-2036 and LA-4203 Social Science Requirement |
For students who have a mastery of a subject area, they can take advantage of the Course Challenge opportunity. A matriculated student with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 who believes s/he has the competence in the subject matter of a course worthy of a grade of “C” or better in that course may petition the Registrar for the opportunity to demonstrate that competence via a course challenge. After reviewing the student’s academic record, the Registrar will establish whether the student has the right to challenge the course based on the restrictions / criteria outlined in the college catalog.
A course challenge is not permitted if the student has been enrolled in the course for any period of time. Also, all prerequisites must be satisfied prior to the approval of a course challenge. Unsuccessful challengers will have no opportunity to challenge the course again. If a qualified instructor is not available, the course challenge will not take place.
The student will consult with the chair of the department that teaches the course to request an appropriate faculty member to administer the challenge. If a qualified instructor is not available, the course challenge will not take place.
The fee for a course challenge is not included in the regular tuition charges. Contact the Bursar’s Office for the fees associated with challenging a course.
Students may petition to challenge up to five courses while attending Del Val. Not all courses may be challenged. Courses may be challenged only with the consent of the department that teaches the course. Please follow this link to review the form.
Students who have completed International Baccalaureate (IB) courses at either the "Higher Level" (HL) or "Standard Level" (SL) and have successfully completed the corresponding IB examinations and obtained a score of 5 or higher on the Higher Level (HL) or a 7 or higher on Standard Level (SL) examinations may be entitled to credit at Delaware Valley University.