Alternative Methods for Earning Credits

Students may earn credits through traditional classroom coursework or by alternative methods.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students are invited to take the general and subject examinations developed by the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit is given as follows:

General Examinations: Students will receive from three to six credit hours (depending on the particular test taken) for each examination on which they score at the 50th percentile or higher. The minimum score for English composition is the 61st percentile, and the test must include the essay section.

Subject Examinations: Successfully completed subject examinations will apply toward appropriate graduation requirements.

For further information about CLEP, please contact the Registrar's Office at Colby-Sawyer College at 603.526.3673 or write directly to:

College-Level Examination Program
Box 1821
Princeton, NJ 08540.

Excelsior College

Excelsior College Credit will be granted to students who score at the 50th percentile or higher. For further information about Excelsior College exams, please contact the Registrar's Office at Colby-Sawyer College by calling 603.526.3673 or write directly to:

Excelsior College
7 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203

Independent Study

Courses numbered 295, 395 and 495 may be developed by students in subject areas not ordinarily offered at the college. However, not all departments offer all levels of independent study. The distinction among levels depends on the focus of the proposed course, the amount of previous work done in the field, and the extent of student independence. In general, the higher the level, the greater the expectations.

Independent study courses may not be used to meet major requirements.

Completed proposals should be submitted, with departmental approval, to the academic dean during the registration period for the next semester. Under special circumstances, the academic dean may extend the period for submission of independent study proposals, but in no case will proposals be accepted after the third day of the first week of classes of the fall and spring semesters.

Independent Study guidelines and forms are available in myRegistrar.

Off-Campus Course Work

A matriculated Colby-Sawyer student may receive Colby-Sawyer transfer credit for courses taken at other accredited institutions. The registrar must approve all courses prior to enrollment and students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) to receive transfer credit.

Students should complete and submit the electronic Pre-approval to Take Courses at Other Colleges form found in myRegistrar.

After completing the course(s), request that an official transcript from the institution be mailed to:

Registrar's Office
Colby-Sawyer College
541 Main Street
New London, NH 03257

Credit hours and grades will be recorded on the student's transcript and calculated into the student's GPA. Students will be notified via their Colby-Sawyer e-mail account when credits are applied to their Colby-Sawyer transcript.

ROTC Programs

Students attending Colby-Sawyer College may enroll in Air Force or Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of New Hampshire. Students should be aware that not all ROTC courses will carry transfer credit. The registrar should be consulted prior to course enrollment. ROTC scholarships are offered on a competitive basis. Scholarships may pay full or part of tuition, mandatory university fees, and required textbooks for all courses. More specific information can be obtained by contacting:

ROTC Recruiting Officer
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03825

or by calling:
Air Force ROTC 603.862.1480
Army ROTC 603.862.1460

Student Exchange

Colby-Sawyer College is a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council, an academic consortium which includes Daniel Webster College, Franklin Pierce University, Keene State College, New England College, Plymouth State College, Rivier College, Saint Anselm College, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of New Hampshire.

Altogether more than 20,000 students are enrolled in consortium institutions. These students are able to benefit from student and faculty exchange, special workshops and seminars, enlarged library resources, and full- and part-time study on other consortium campuses.

Qualified students, with appropriate approval of the registrar, may enroll in one or more courses or for the fall or spring semester (excluding summer) in residence at one of the NHCUC institutions listed above on a space-available basis. Such study is considered Colby-Sawyer sponsored and may be used to meet the Residence Requirement. The registrar must approve all courses prior to enrollment and students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) to receive transfer credit. Credit hours and grades will be recorded on the student's transcript and calculated into the student's GPA.

No extra financial charge is made other than special course fees, such as laboratory fees. Students must provide their own transportation and, when applicable, must make their own arrangements for room and board at the institution they intend to visit. The consortium network of schools offers the variety of courses usually found only on a large university campus but retains the small-college environment with respect to academic support, residency, social life, and student development opportunities.

Study Abroad

The Study Abroad/Study Away program at Colby-Sawyer provides students the opportunity to acquire broad cultural knowledge and practical skills which will enable them to participate fully in a global society and to contribute to the internationalization of the Colby-Sawyer campus through academically demanding domestic and international programs.

Teaching Assistantships

Qualified juniors and seniors may apply to work with faculty members as teaching assistants in 100- and 200-level courses. If they are accepted for an assistantship, students enroll in the course designated 480: Teaching Assistantship, in the relevant academic area.

The teaching assistantship course allows students to participate in the instructional development of a course and to learn about teaching methodologies and course development. The teaching assistant has definite instructional responsibilities in the class as well as instructional component in which the assistant learns how to teach. The assistant engages in regular discussions with the faculty member concerning the course and teaching methodology. The rules governing assistantships are listed below:

  • A student may earn up to three credit hours for teaching assistantships. This can be done in one three-credit course or in any combination.
  • Course credit toward major or minor requirements is a departmental decision.
  • The course will be graded unless the student chooses the pass/fail option.
  • The credit hours granted should follow regular guidelines for the department and may differ with the nature of the course (lecture, laboratory, studio).
  • Teaching assistantships are limited to juniors and seniors.
  • The assistant must work in a 100- or 200-level course.
  • The student must have received a B (3.0) or better in the course or its equivalent.
  • The student must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
  • The student must submit an electronic permission form located in myRegistrar during the course registration period.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Matriculated students who have completed work at other accredited post-secondary institutions may be eligible to receive transfer credit. Students must submit an official transcript and course descriptions for all work completed.

Students with an associate degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher will receive full credit for all courses taken and passed at the other college, provided that the degree has liberal education requirements similar to those at Colby-Sawyer. The work of students who have an associate degree with dissimilar or no liberal education requirements, do not have an associate degree, or do not have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher, will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. In such cases, credit is given for courses which have been completed with grades of C or above which are pertinent to the educational mission of Colby-Sawyer and thus have course equivalents here.

The registrar has the responsibility of making the final determination regarding transferability of individual courses. Grades earned in courses taken before matriculation at Colby-Sawyer will not be included when computing the cumulative grade point average. Transfer students should note that at least one-half of the prescribed credits for a Colby-Sawyer degree, including the final 30 credit hours, must be sponsored by Colby-Sawyer, whether taken on- or off-campus.