Sciences and Mathematics

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) through CollegeBoard allows students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material, through standardized tests, in introductory subjects to earn college credit. West Chester University accepts certain exams, for degree credit only, with a qualifying score of 50 or above. For more information about the exams accepted by West Chester University, please visit the Registrar’s  Test Credit page. 

Credit by Examination – Students may receive credit for a course by taking a test. Students must coordinate the Credit by Examination with the appropriate academic department and submit the completed Credit by Examination form, with proof of payment, to the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the Drop/Add period. Additional information about Credit by Exam can be found on the Registrar’s Credit Types page or refer to the 2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog Course Policies section.

Individualized Prior Learning Portfolio – Students may choose to develop a portfolio as a means of demonstrating their competency in a particular course. The portfolio should include an extensive description of the student’s learning and how it aligns with the learning goals of the particular course for which the student is seeking credit. Credit received through portfolio submission will appear as transfer credit. 

Through the Prior Learning Assessment, students demonstrate that what they already know is equivalent to what they would have learned in a particular course. This knowledge could have been acquired through past work, training programs, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies and recreational pastimes, community or religious activities, organizational membership, adult education, noncredit courses, military training not evaluated for credit by ACE, or other experiences. 

The process to obtain credit through Prior Learning Assessment is as follows:

• Students are responsible for identifying the particular course(s) for which they wish to seek credit through Prior Learning Assessment.
• If the course sought is available through CLEP, that becomes the only PLA option available to the student. Students are responsible for registering for the appropriate CLEP exam and ensuring the official CLEP transcript is sent to the Office of the Registrar. Students can register for CLEP exams through the Professional Testing Center.
• If the course sought is not available through CLEP, the student should contact the appropriate academic department to determine their best option: Credit by Examination or an Individual Prior Learning Portfolio.
• Students who will be completing an Individual Prior Learning Portfolio should obtain a syllabus, containing the learning goals, for the identified course or courses. The portfolio should clearly describe how the student’s learning satisfies the identified course(s) competencies/learning goals. Students should be prepared to provide supporting documentation, such as: course descriptions, certificates from training courses, job description, sample work, etc.  

West Chester University will not transfer credit received through Prior Learning Assessments by other institutions. Students who received credit for prior learning from a previous institution will need to adhere to West Chester’s Prior Learning Assessment policy. 

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation was created in 1979 at the bequest of Mrs. Newcombe. Mrs. Newcombe greatly valued higher education during her lifetime. In her will, she established the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation to continue her scholarship gifts. Her legacy continues until today. The Foundation provides scholarship funds to select colleges and universities for mature/second career students to complete their education and prepare for careers. As a result of this generous funding, WCU is able to award 20-30 Newcombe Scholarships per year. 

Eligibility:

• 25 years old or more by the time of award
• Undergraduate degree candidate completing 60+ credits by by the time of award
• Enroll in 9 or more credits per semester at West Chester University during the award academic year
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31. International students must complete a paper version of the FAFSA, available in the Financial Aid Office.  

Application Process: The online application for the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Application is available in February; Applications are due in early April; Award recipients are notified by late June.

The Alice E. Conway Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2006 to honor the memory of a beloved member of the West Chester University staff. Alice served the University with distinction for many years, and always provided great comfort, support, and valuable assistance to faculty, staff, and students. She was a member of the Division of Academic Affairs staff for close to two decades before joining the Division of Student Affairs in 1999, where she oversaw the administrative operations of the Counseling Center. Her humor, genuineness, warmth, and care for others were valued traits, and she brought welcomed relief to the many students who passed through the Counseling Center. The University honored Alice in 2003 with the Civility Award in recognition of her untiring dedication to others. After her untimely death, her family, friends, and colleagues created a scholarship in her name to memorialize and honor her "mothering" presence to so many at the University.

Amount:  $500

Eligibility:  A student who is a parent, guardian, or part of a custodial relationship with a child or children who are under the age of 18

Application Process:  This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications.

The Jane Swan Scholarship is given each year to a student who demonstrates superior academic achievement and steadfast dedication to improving the lives of women. Jane Swan was the Director of the Women's Center from 1977-1981. Her hard work secured a central location, budget, and graduate student support. In 1979, Jane Swan was instrumental to starting drop-in childcare at the Women's Center to support parenting students. She was especially committed to supporting non-traditional women students at WCU.

Amount:  $500

Eligibility:  A non-traditional woman in her third or fourth year at the University

Application Process:  This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications.