Departmental Proficiency Examinations Guidelines

Departmental Proficiency Examinations demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills gained through job experience, outside coursework and specialized training. The examinations require a high degree of skill-based knowledge. Faculty may find the form below.

Departmental Proficiency Exams are not eligible for Federal Student Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Direct Loans, SEOG, and Work Study).

Students never enrolled in the course or who were enrolled in prior semesters may attempt the Departmental Proficiency Test at any point in a semester.

Students who are registered for the current semester must complete the test before the end of the 100% refund period of the applicable term. If successful, the student must drop the course prior to submitting the form to the Registrar. If a student was enrolled during the current semester but dropped the course after the 100% refund period, the test should not be taken until after the semester has ended.

The student must be currently enrolled at Ozarks Tech and in a program for which the course is required. No more than 24 credit hours may be earned through Departmental Proficiency Exams.  The grade on the transcript will be ‘S’ and will count as hours earned but will not count in cumulative grade point calculations for grade point average (GPA).  A student may not receive credit for any course he/she has previously received credit or in a repeat attempt to receive credit.  Students must complete one semester in residence at Ozarks Tech before any credit is posted on the transcript.

Step 1: Student meets with the instructor to discuss the exam and its guidelines/requirements on timing, costs, etc. They schedule the exam.
Step 2: Instructor gives student the Departmental Proficiency Test form. Student completes the form and pays the $50 testing fee online or to a Student Account Services staff member.
Step 3: Student brings the Departmental Proficiency Test form with them to attempt the test. Instructor and Dean sign off on the form if the student passed. If registered for the course, the student drops the course if they passed the test.
Step 4: Instructor or student sends the form to the Office of the Registrar.
Step 5: The Registrar posts the credit to the student’s transcript with an “S” grade. The Registrar informs the student that credit has been posted.

For Faculty:
Departmental Proficiency Exam Form

Last Reviewed: 08/19/2024