CLEP for College Credit in Minnesota

Over 2,900 colleges grant credit for the CLEP and almost 2,000 grant credit for DSST. For a quick check of colleges that award credit for CLEP exams, look up a college profile on the College Board website.  While credit policies vary from school to school, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Mn State) has led the way by setting a uniform credit-granting policy.  With its 31 institutions, including 24 two-year colleges and seven state universities, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota.

The procedure outlined in Policy 3.33.1 defines guidelines for all 31 MnSCU schools to grant equivalent course credit for a specific lower-division college course for each CLEP examination that covers substantially similar material.  If there is not an equivalent course, the college can grant elective credits.  Having this uniform policy provides a level of transparency that creates an enormous opportunity for degree-seeking students.

Within the MnSCU system, earning credit with DSST is addressed in Policy 3.35 which requires each system college and university to have a policy in place regarding DSST and other types of credit for prior learning.  Under these guidelines many schools award credit for the DSST but a uniform policy is not in place, as it is for the CLEP.  Students will need to ask schools individually for their policy and course equivalency guide.

Since the University of Minnesota is not part of the MnSCU system, they are not part of this uniform policy.  Private colleges are independent as well.  A quick sampling of seven private Minnesota Christian colleges reveals that six have CLEP credit-granting policies posted on their websites, many accepting between one and two years of CLEP credits.

Both DSST and CLEP have been reviewed by ACE, the American Council on Education.  ACE provides both a recommended passing score and a recommended number of credits that could be awarded to successful students. Some schools set their own standards for awarding credit and may require a higher score than the ACE recommendation. Make sure to obtain this information from the institution from which you expect to receive credit and review the transfer policy from which you are seeking the college degree.

Understanding Course Equivalencies.  Since these exams were developed to enable colleges to award students credit for demonstrating knowledge equivalent to that learned by taking the college course, students might ask, Which course may I receive credit for completing by “testing out” with  CLEP or DSST?  Many colleges post information for course equivalencies at transferology.com or on their website.

Which exams should my student start with?  There is no one best exam to begin with.  Start with an area your student is strong in or with studies they traditionally learn in depth in 8-12th grade like US History, or Analyzing and Interpreting Literature.  These courses are also often repeated as part of the requirements in the first two years of a college degree.  Since the exams do not include a curriculum component, preparation through a rigorous high school course of study is suggested, though you may find the books your student is already studying are adequate.  College-level learning is more about engaging the material enough to understand the “why’s” rather than it is about memorizing answers.  Students should also take available practice exams to determine their readiness.

When and where are exams given?  Exams are easily scheduled by appointment at testing centers located on many local 2- and 4-year college campuses.  Visit the above websites to find your nearest location and contact that center directly to make an appointment.  Appointments are available year-round, so simply schedule when your student has completed his study.

Advantages.  According to Prometric, “Homeschooled students are using DSST exams to complement their admissions portfolio.”  Others are using exams to challenge and motivate students and others are seeking cost- and time-savings options.  Combining the flexibility homeschooling provides with the uniform policy credit-granting policy at MnSCU institutions, and Minnesota’s popular PSEO program, affordable degree options are within students’ reach.

Copyright©2012 Cheri Frame – All Rights Reserved

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Category: Minnesota-specific