College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 examinations. Through CLEP you can earn credit for knowledge you've acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits or internships.
To learn more about the CLEP credit-by-examination program including test preparation, examination descriptions and authorized test center locations, visit the official CLEP website.
Scheduling an Appointment to Take the CLEP
Students may take the CLEP exam on campus at FHSU. To learn more about this option see the Testing Services CLEP test information.
CLEP examinations may be taken at any testing center approved by the Collegeboard. To locate a center search the Collegeboard's test center locator. We recommend that you contact the testing center of your choice to learn times, fees, and other information.
CLEP Credit Opportunities at FHSU
FHSU grants credit for all CLEP examinations. Listed below are each of the CLEP examinations with information on the FHSU required minimum score and credit granted at FHSU. Please be sure that you also read through the "General Information" section so that you can make an informed decision about participating in the CLEP program.
General Information
- Students should consult their academic advisor and/or the transcript analysts in the Registrar's Office for specific information on how the successful completion of an examination applies to their degree program.
- A grade of CR (Credit) is recorded on a student's transcript for successful completion of an examination that is accepted for credit.
- No credit will be awarded for a course that has been previously completed at Fort Hays State University or a transfer institution. If a student has previously registered in or audited a course, and received a grade, credit or an incomplete, CLEP is not a consideration.
- Credit by examination is a form of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). CPL maxima (all forms) are defined by credential level: Certificate--6 hours; Associate--30 hours; Baccalaureate--60 hours; Master's--6 hours; Education Specialist and Doctoral--Not Allowed.
- Credits earned through CLEP may not be accepted in all degree programs. It is the student’s responsibility to check with an advisor or the department if changing majors to determine if previously earned CLEP credit applies.
- CLEP exams and/or the associated course may have to be taken within a specific timeframe to be used as a course prerequisite or to satisfy a requirement for your degree. Contact your academic advisor to determine if you will need to retake an exam/course.
- Credit from qualifying credit-by-examination programs is only recorded for registered students who are in a signed degree program at Fort Hays State University. FHSU will not record CLEP credit for non-degree students or for students who have not returned to FHSU after a prior registration.
- CLEP credits earned at FHSU may or may not be accepted by other institutions. It is important to verify CLEP credit policies at each institution of attendance.
- Visit the FHSU Credit for Prior Learning site for additional information.
- CLEP credit policies are subject to change upon periodic review.
- Examination information appearing in italics indicates that the version of the examination has been retired/discontinued by CLEP.
- Policies for paper-based CLEP examinations administered before April 1, 2004 are available on the CLEP Policies for Retired Paper-based Testing page. CLEP paper-based examinations taken before 4/1/04 are a part of the now-retired paper and pencil program. CLEP transcripts show a letter "P" designating that the examinee took a paper-based CLEP test before April 1, 2004.
CLEP Examination Title with FHSU Minimum Score Required and Credit Granted at FHSU
American Government
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "American Government" (POLS 101); 3 credit hours
American Literature
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50 - Including previous exams with the optional essay.
Credit Granted: Credit for "Topics in IDS (non Gen Ed): American Literature CLEP Exam" (IDS 199); 3 credit hours. Effective June 1, 2021 Credit awarded will be for ENG 199 English Elective; 3 credit hours
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50 - Including previous exams with the optional essay.
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Literature" (ENG 126); 3 credit hours
Biology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Biology" (BIOL 180), 3 credit hours; OR Credit for "Human Biology" (BIOL 100), 3 credit hours
Calculus
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Analytic Geometry and Calculus I" (MATH 234); 5 credit hours
Chemistry
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Level 1--50; Level 2--58*; Level 3--66*
Credit Granted: Credit is granted for only one course as follows:
Level 1--Credit for "Chemist's View of the World" (CHEM 100); 3 credit hours
Level 2--Credit for "General Chemistry I" (CHEM 112) and "General Chemistry Laboratory I" (CHEM 112L); 3 credit hours (*See important note below for additional Level 2 requirements.)
Level 3--Credit for "University Chemistry I" (CHEM 120) and "University Chemistry Laboratory I" (CHEM 120L); 5 credit hours (*See important note below for additional Level 3 requirements.)
*Important Note Regarding Additional Requirements for Level 2 and Level 3:
Students meeting the Level 2 (58 and up) or Level 3 (66 and up) score may elect credit for CHEM 100 or take the appropriate lab practical to receive credit for CHEM 112 with lab or CHEM 120 with lab. Students who fail the lab practical will receive credit for CHEM 100, and if the student still desires credit for either CHEM 112 or CHEM 120, the student must register in both the lecture and lab co-requisites to receive credit for CHEM 112 or CHEM 120. Students meeting the cut for Level 2 or Level 3 are encouraged to discuss which course fits into their degree plan with their advisor.
College Algebra
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "College Algebra" (MATH 110); 3 credit hours
College Algebra-Trigonometry (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2006)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Pre-Calculus Mathematics" (MATH 130); 5 credit hours
College Composition
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 59
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (3 credit hours total): English Composition I (ENG 101)--3 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (6 credit hours total): English Composition I (ENG 101)--3 credit hrs. and English Composition II (ENG 102)--3 credit hrs.
College Composition Modular
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for ""English Elective" (ENG 199); 3 credit hours.
College Mathematics
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Contemporary Mathematics" (MATH 101); 3 credit hours
English Composition (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2010)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
English Composition with Essay (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2010)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
English Literature
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50 - Including previous exams with the optional essay.
Credit Awarded: Credit for "English Elective" (ENG 199); 3 credit hours.
Financial Accounting
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Accounting I" (ACCT 203); 3 credit hours
French Language
(Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 3 semesters--59)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 55
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning French II (MLNG 202)--5 credit hrs.
Retired Version: French Language (CBT Version 2 retired April 2008)
Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 4 semesters--62
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 56
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning French II (MLNG 202)--5 credit hrs.
Retired Version: French Language (CBT Version 1 retired March 2003)
Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 4 semesters--52
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 51
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning French I (MLNG 201)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning French II (MLNG 202)--5 credit hrs.
Freshman College Composition (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2010)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: (Important Note: Examinee must complete and pass both the computer-based test and the optional essay section.) Computer-based score must be at least 50 and examinee must receive a passing evaluation on the essay section. (The essay section is evaluated by English Programs.)
Credit Granted: Credit for "English Composition I" (ENG 101); 3 credit hours.
German Language
(Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 3 semesters--60)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 55
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning German I (MLNG 208)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning German I (MLNG 208)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning German II (MLNG 209)--5 credit hrs.
Retired Version: German Language (CBT Version 1 retired June 2008)
Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 4 semesters--63
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 56
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning German I (MLNG 208)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning German I (MLNG 208)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning German II (MLNG 209)--5 credit hrs.
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Non-History Majors: Credit for "United States History to 1877" (HIST 130); 3 credit hours
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Non-History Majors: Credit for "United States History Since 1877" (HIST 131); 3 credit hours
Human Growth and Development
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Human Growth and Development" (TEEL 231); 3 credit hours
Humanities
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Humanities Transfer Elective" (HUM 199); 3 credit hours
Information Systems (formerly Information Systems and Computer Applications)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Computer Information Systems" (INF 101); 3 credit hours
Introduction to Educational Psychology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Educational Psychology" (TEEL 431); 3 credit hours
Note: This exam and/or the associated course may have to be taken within a specific timeframe to be used as a course prerequisite or to satisfy a requirement for your degree. Contact your academic advisor to determine if you will need to retake this exam/course.
Introductory Business Law
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Business Law I" (GBUS 204); 3 credit hours
Introductory Psychology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "General Psychology" (PSY 100); 3 credit hours
Introductory Sociology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Understanding Society: Introductory Sociology" (SOC 140); 3 credit hours
Natural Sciences
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for “Science Transfer Elective” (SCI 199); 3 credit hours
Precalculus
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Precalculus Mathematics" (MATH 130); 3 credit hours
Principles of Accounting (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2007)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Accounting I" (ACCT 203); 3 credit hours AND credit for “Principles of Accounting II" (ACCT 204); 3 credit hours (6 credit hours total)
Principles of Macroeconomics
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Macroeconomics" (ECON 202); 3 credit hours
Principles of Management
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Management" (MGT 301); 3 credit hours
Principles of Marketing
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Marketing Principles" (MKT 301); 3 credit hours
Principles of Microeconomics
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Microeconomics" (ECON 201), 3 credit hours
Social Sciences and History
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Transfer Elective in Social & Behavioral Science" (SBSC199); 3 credit hours
Spanish Language
(Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 3 semesters--63)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 57
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning Spanish II (MLNG 226)--5 credit hrs.
Retired Version: Spanish Language (CBT Version 2 retired July 2007)
Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 4 semesters--66
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 58
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning Spanish II (MLNG 226)--5 credit hrs.
Retired Version: Spanish Language (CBT Version 1 retired March 2003)
Score reports show ACE recommended scores: 2 semesters--50 / 4 semesters--54
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 52
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning Spanish II (MLNG 226)--5 credit hrs.
Spanish with Writing
(Score reports show ACE recommended scores: Level 1--50 / Level 2--65)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: One Semester of Credit = 50 / Two Semesters of Credit = 59
Credit Granted: One Semester of Credit (5 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. / Two Semesters of Credit (10 credit hours total): Beginning Spanish I (MLNG 225)--5 credit hrs. and Beginning Spanish II (MLNG 226)--5 credit hrs.
Trigonometry (Exam discontinued by CLEP effective July 1, 2006)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "Plane Trigonometry" (MATH 122); 3 credit hours
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit for "World Civilization to 1500" (HIST 110); 3 credit hours.
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 50
Credit Granted: Credit awarded for "History Elective" (HIST 199); 3 credit hours.