Ways to Earn Credit

If you’ve already gained college-level knowledge outside the classroom, JWU offers three ways to turn that experience into credit.

1. Departmental Challenge Exams

Take a comprehensive exam covering a course’s material to earn credit without enrolling in the class. Available for select courses; some programs have additional eligibility requirements. 

Challenge Exam Restrictions

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

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. Résumé and professional references must be attached to the Challenge Exam application. 

Challenge Exam Dates & Deadlines

Students interested in taking a Challenge Exam should meet with their academic advisor in Student Academic Services for information. Culinary Lab Challenge Exams have both a written and a practical component and are offered once per semester.  

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. 

2026-2027 Schedule TBD 

Challenge Exam Fees

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. 

2. College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Earn credit by passing a standardized CLEP exam in a subject you already know well. JWU’s Providence Campus is an authorized CLEP testing site. 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. U.S. military personnel and veterans may qualify for a fee waiver. 

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. 

3. Portfolio Assessment

Build a portfolio documenting relevant prior learning or work experience, reviewed against course objectives to determine credit eligibility. Some programs — including culinary and food service courses — have specific experience requirements. Students have 6 months from the beginning date of the session to submit the completed portfolio. 

College of Food Innovation & Technology Intermediate Internship (CFIT2699 and CFIT 2799): 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. Résumé and professional references must be attached to the Portfolio Assessment application.  

Supervision for Foodservice Professionals (FSM3035) and Food Service Financial Systems (FSM3040): 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. Résumé and professional references must be attached to the Portfolio Assessment application.  

Portfolio Development Seminar Schedule

2026-2027 Schedule TBD 

Portfolio Assessment Fees

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.