CPL: Section 8-Credit Earned Via Waiver

Credits Earned with Waiver

General Information

Please note, credits earned via a waiver process does not alter or change the total number of credits required for degree completion.  Students should consult with appropriate faculty, advisors, and transfer specialists to discuss what courses should be taken in lieu of a course that was waived.

SDV Waiver for Students With A Previous Degree

Students who have graduated with an associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA’s SDV requirement. To receive an SDV waiver, students must submit an official transcript to the College Records Office and fill out the Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form #125-049E.

PED Waiver for Criminal Justice Academy Completers

Students who have completed a program of study at a state academy recognized by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services may be granted all or part of the physical education (PED) credit required for a degree program.

PED Waiver for Active Fire Department and Police Employees

Students who are currently employed by a fire department or police force and can document that they have completed physical fitness requirements for the job may have up to two credits of physical education requirements waived. Such a waiver is at the discretion of the academic dean responsible for the student’s curriculum and will require that an additional two credits of general elective be completed to meet the total number of credits required for the degree. The online Substitution Request Form must be submitted to designate which course will be used to meet the credit requirement.

World Language Waiver or Credit

Students who have completed two years of foreign language in high school or whose native language is not English have the following options:

Option 1: Advance placement or Waiver (i.e., no college credit)

• Advance Placement: Students may request an assessment from the college’s faculty to demonstrate that previous educational study or training is at a proficient level in a language taught at NOVA. This discipline specific assessment could place the student into levels above the introductory course in the foreign language sequence. The decision to grant advance placement is at the discretion of the Academic Dean. For students who are granted advanced placement, additional general education electives must be completed to meet the minimum credit requirements for the degree.

• Waiver of the foreign language requirement: Students who are proficient in a foreign language not offered by NOVA or through examination may request a waiver. Proficiency is generally indicated if the student has at least the equivalent of a high school diploma from an institution where the primary language is other than English. Credits waived are those normally required course credits for the program which are administratively exempted. Credits waived require election of additional general education credit courses to compensate for the credits waived to meet degree requirements. This waiver is accomplished through the student sending a copy of the foreign transcript along with an email request for a waiver to the College Records Office using the AsktheCRO@nvcc.edu email address. 

         Option 2: Foreign Language Proficiency Exams (i.e., college credit)

• Foreign Language Proficiency Exams: Students who are proficient in a foreign language can take the Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or NYU Foreign language exam (see section 5 & 7). Upon achieving a satisfactory score for approved foreign language exams in the current CPL Manual students will be awarded college credit for the foreign language that may be used toward completion of a degree. 

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