By successfully completing one of the Prior Learning Assessment options — Portfolio Assessment, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Departmental Challenge Examinations — students may earn undergraduate course credit for previous academic and/or prior learning experiences.
Prior Learning Assessment
Review Prior Learning Assessment policies and then review the Dates & Deadlines section of this site for your campus.
Challenge Exam Requirement:
The challenge exam uses an automated online proctoring tool called Honorlock to verify students’ identities and ensure academic integrity during the exams. Therefore, students are required to use a computer or laptop with a webcam, microphone, and reliable Internet access for use with Honorlock. Students will be asked to show a government-issued photo ID. Students submitting a challenge application agree to be recorded throughout the exam and must understand that JWU and Honorlock are fully compliant with the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), data is fully encrypted, and only authorized JWU personnel will have access to the recordings.
Course Search
Conduct a course search to determine if a course has a Prior Learning Assessment option.
Transfer Evaluation System
If your course has a CLEP option, access the Transfer Evaluation System to determine the equivalent CLEP exam title: In the Find a Transfer College by Name field, type ‘College Board’ > click SEARCH > click ‘COLLEGEBOARD AP/CLEP’ > in the ‘Course Code’ field, enter the JWU course code > select ‘Home Course’ and click ‘SEARCH’ > the equivalent CLEP title will be displayed. To find the equivalent DSST options follow the same process by typing DSST in the Find a Transfer College by Name field.
Restrictions
Challenge Exams
Culinary and Baking & Pastry Lab Courses
All Culinary and Baking lab courses have specific eligibility criteria:
Students must provide evidence of 3 years of relevant cooking (service) experience that meet the course objectives and as determined by the dean. Resume and professional references must be attached to Challenge Exam Applications for all culinary and baking labs.
Food Service Management Courses
The following courses have specific eligibility criteria:
FSM2045 Introduction to Menu Planning and Cost Controls: students must provide evidence of 3 years of relevant food service leadership and management experience as determined by the dean. Resume and professional references must be attached to Challenge Exam application.
Portfolio Assessment
Students have 6 months from the beginning date of the session to submit the completed portfolio.
The following courses have specific eligibility criteria:
CFIT2699 and CFIT 2799 College of Food Innovation & Technology Intermediate Internship: students must provide evidence of 3 years of full-time relevant cooking or baking and pastry experience that fulfills course objectives and as determined by the dean. Resume and professional references must be attached to the Portfolio Assessment application.
FSM3035 Supervision for Foodservice Professionals and FSM3040 Food Service Financial Systems: students must provide evidence of 5 years of relevant full-time foodservice leadership and management experience that meet course objectives and as determined by the dean. Resume and professional references must be attached to the Portfolio Assessment application. Foreign Language CLEP Exams may only be taken to fulfill language requirements and may not be used to fulfill arts and sciences or free electives.
Fees
Challenge
There is a $127 fee for each undergraduate semester credit and a $250 fee for each graduate academic semester credit challenged regardless of whether or not credit is awarded. Challenge exam fees are non-refundable.
Portfolio
Portfolio requests will be assessed a $127 fee for each undergraduate semester credit and a $250 fee for each graduate semester credit. Fees are non-refundable and apply whether or not credit is awarded.
Participation in the prior learning seminar does not constitute enrollment at Johnson & Wales University. As such, any fees associated with involvement in the portfolio seminar are not eligible for financial aid.
Placement Testing
Placement testing is used to place students into appropriate course levels and to determine the student's course schedule.
Placement tests are free of charge.
TESTING DATES, TIMES & APPLICATION DEADLINES
Campus Specific Dates and Deadlines
2024-2025 Academic Year
Placement Testing
All placement testing is completed online via the ProctorU platform. Tests are taken online from home and proctored by a live ProctorU proctor.
Challenge Exam
Students interested in taking a Challenge Exam should meet with an academic advisor in Student Academic Services for information.
Note: Culinary lab Challenge Exams have both a written and a practical component and are offered once per semester. Please see important applicable dates below.
| Application Deadline | Written Test Deadline | Practical Exam Deadline |
| September 6, 2024 | September 20, 2024 | October 4, 2024 |
| January 17, 2025 | January 31, 2025 | February 14, 2025 |
Online Portfolio Development Seminar
Fall Seminar
- Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
- Session Begins: September 16, 2024
- Session Ends: March 16, 2025
Spring Seminar
- Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
- Session Begins: January 13, 2025
- Session Ends: July 13, 2025
2024-2025 Academic Year
Challenge Exam
Students interested in taking a Challenge Exam should meet with an Academic Advisor in Student Academic Services for information.
Note: Culinary lab Challenge Exams have both a written and a practical component and are offered once per semester. Please see important applicable dates below.
| Application Deadline | Written Test Deadline | Practical Exam Deadline |
| September 6, 2024 | September 20, 2024 | October 4, 2024 |
| January 17, 2025 | January 31, 2025 | February 14, 2025 |
Online Portfolio Development Seminar
Fall Seminar
- Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
- Session Begins: September 16, 2024
- Session Ends: March 16, 2025
Session: II
- Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
- Session Begins: January 13, 2025
- Session Ends: July 13, 2025
2024-2025 Academic Year
Challenge Exam
Online students interested in taking a challenge exam should contact their Online Academic Advisor.
Note: Culinary lab Challenge Exams have both a written and a practical component and are offered once per semester. Please see important applicable dates below.
| Application Deadline | Written Test Deadline | Practical Exam Deadline |
| September 6, 2024 | September 20, 2024 | October 4, 2024 |
| January 17, 2025 | January 31, 2025 | February 14, 2025 |
Online Portfolio Development Seminar
Fall Seminar
- Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
- Session Begins: September 16, 2024
- Session Ends: March 16, 2025
Spring Seminar
- Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
- Session Begins: January 13, 2025
- Session Ends: July 13, 2025