DSST Program
The DSST credit by exam program gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for life experience as a form of prior learning assessment. The 30+ exams are offered in diverse subject areas such as health, ethics, finance and technology.
To learn more about the DSST program including test preparation, practice exams, exam fact sheets and technical information, visit the official DSST site.
Scheduling an Appointment to Take the DSST
The DSST exam may be taken on campus at FHSU. To learn more about this option see the Testing Services DSST test information.
DSST examinations may be taken at any approved testing center. To locate other locations to take the examination use the find a test center tool. We recommend that you contact the testing center of your choice to learn times, fees, and other information.
DSST Credit Opportunities at FHSU
Fort Hays State University grants credit for many DSST examinations. Listed below are each of the DSST examinations with information on the required FHSU minimum score and credit granted at FHSU. Please be sure that you also read through the "General Information" and "Minimum Score Required Information" sections so that you can make an informed decision about participating in the DSST 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, DSST 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 DSST 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 DSST credit applies.
- DSST 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 DSST credit for non-degree students or for students who have not returned to FHSU after a prior registration.
- DSST credits earned at FHSU may or may not be accepted by other institutions. It is important to verify DSST credit policies at each institution of attendance.
- Visit the FHSU Credit for Prior Learning site for additional information.
- DSST 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 DSST.
Minimum Score Required Information
- Current Scoring: Criterion-referenced standard-setting scores with a 3-digit score reporting scale (200-500 scale).
- Old Scoring: Norm-referenced standard-setting scores with a 2-digit score reporting scale (20-80 scale).
- The FHSU minimum score required for each DSST reflects both the current 3-digit criterion-referenced required score and the old 2-digit norm-referenced required score (when applicable).
- If an examination is not accepted for credit at FHSU, "Not Accepted" will appear in the FHSU Minimum Score Required section and "No Credit Awarded" will appear in the Credit Granted section.
Scoring Explanations
- Criterion-referenced ACE Score = FHSU accepts the American Council on Education recommended cut score (pass point) of 400 for awarding credit.
- Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = FHSU accepts the American Council on Education B-grade equivalent score for awarding credit.
- Norm-referenced ACE Score = FHSU accepts the American Council on Education recommended score for awarding credit. This score represents the average score that was achieved on the test form by the representative sample of college students who received a grade of C in the actual subject.
- Norm-referenced "A" Equiv. Score = FHSU accepts the score that represents the average score that was achieved on the test form by the representative sample of college students who received a grade of A in the actual subject.
- Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score = FHSU accepts the score that represents the average score that was achieved on the test form by the representative sample of college students who received a grade of B in the actual subject.
- For each norm-referenced required score, the test form number/code and corresponding required 2-digit minimum score is listed.
- Additional information on the scoring methodology for DSST examinations is available on the DSST site.
DSST Examination Title with Minimum Score Required and Credit Granted at FHSU
A History of the Vietnam War
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = 434; Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SF 473 = Score 51, SG/SH/SL/SM 473 = Score 49
Credit Granted: Credit for "Topics in History-America and the Vietnam Experience" (HIST 600), 3 credit hours
Art of the Western World
FHSU Minimum Score Required:
Level 1: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF 461 = Score 48
Level 2: Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = 434; Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SE/SF 461 = Score 53
Credit Granted:
Level 1: Credit for "Survey of Art History I" (ART 201), 3 credit hours
Level 2: Credit for "Survey of Art History I" (ART 201), 3 credit hours AND Credit for "Survey of Art History II" (ART 202), 3 credit hours (6 credit hours total)
Astronomy
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 500 = Score 48
Credit Granted: Credit for "Descriptive Astronomy" (PHYS 309), 3 credit hours
Business Ethics and Society
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Business Law II (Exam discontinued by DSST effective December 31, 2014)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Business Mathematics
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Computing and Information Technology (formerly Introduction to Computing)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SG/SH/SL/SM 536 = Score 45
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Computer Information Systems" (INF 101), 3 credit hours
Criminal Justice
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 498 = Score 49
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Criminal Justice" (CRJ 101), 3 credit hours
Environmental Science (formerly Environment and Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score=400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 511 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Credit for "Humans and the Environment" (BIOL 200), 3 credit hours
Ethics in America
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Ethics in Technology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400
Credit Granted: Credit for "Public Policy, Law, and Ethics" (INF 610), 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.
Foundations of Education
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 489 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Credit for "Foundations of Education" (TEEL 202), 3 credit hours
Fundamentals of College Algebra
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 424 = Score 47
Credit Granted: Credit for "College Algebra" (MATH 110), 3 credit hours
Fundamentals of Counseling
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400
Credit Granted: Credit for "Foundations of Information Systems Security" (INF 684), 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.
General Anthropology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG 494 = Score 47
Credit Granted: Credit for "Cultural Anthropology" (SOC 145), 3 credit hours
Health and Human Development (formerly Here's to Your Health)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 508 = Score 48
Credit Granted: Credit for "Personal Wellness" (HHP 200), 3 credit hours
History of the Soviet Union (formerly The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Human Resource Management (formerly Personnel/Human Resource Management)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Introduction to Business
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 543 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Business" (MGT 101), 3 credit hours
Introduction to Geography (formerly Human and Cultural Geography)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Introduction to Geology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400
Credit Granted: Credit for "Introduction to Geology" (GSCI 100), 3 credit hours (Credit is awarded only to non-GSCI majors.)
Introduction to Law Enforcement
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SG/SH/SL/SM 497 = Score 45
Credit Awarded: Credit for "Introduction to Law Enforcement" (CRJ 220), 3 credit hours
Introduction to the Modern Middle East (Exam discontinued by DSST effective December 31, 2014)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE 469 = Score 44, SF/SG/SH/SL 469 = Score 47
Credit Awarded: Undergraduate Credit for "The Modern Middle East-1300 to the Present" (HIST 692), 3 credit hours
Introduction to World Religions
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = 434; Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 496 = Score 52
Credit Granted: Credit for "World Religions" (PHIL 170), 3 credit hours
Lifespan Developmental Psychology
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 490 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Lower-division Psychology elective credit, 3 credit hours
Management Information Systems
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 551 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Credit for "Management Information Systems" (INF 304), 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.
Math for Liberal Arts
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400
Credit Granted: Credit for "Liberal Arts Math" (MATH 101), 3 credit hours
Money and Banking
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Organizational Behavior
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Personal Finance
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 550 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Credit for "Theory and Practice of Personal Finance" (FIN 205), 3 credit hours
Physical Geology (Exam discontinued by DSST effective December 31, 2014)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 519 = Score 53
Credit Granted: Elective credit in Geosciences, 3 credit hours, (Credit is not granted for a specific course.)
Principles of Advanced English Composition
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Principles of Finance
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = 434; Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SF/SG/SH/SL 524 = Score 53
Credit Granted: Credit for "Managerial Finance" (FIN 305), 3 credit hours
Principles of Financial Accounting (Exam discontinued by DSST effective December 31, 2014)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: 1 Point Higher than Norm-referenced ACE Score--SF 525 = Score 50, SG/SH/SL/SM 525 = Score 48
Credit Granted: Credit for "Principles of Accounting I" (ACCT 203), 3 credit hours
Principles of Physical Science I (Exam discontinued by DSST effective July 31, 2018)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 512 = Score 47
Credit Granted: Credit for "Physical Science" (PHYS 102), 3 credit hours
Principles of Public Speaking
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Principles of Statistics
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SH/SL/SM 450 = Score 48
Credit Granted: Credit for "Elements of Statistics" (MATH 250), 3 credit hours
Principles of Supervision
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced ACE Score = 400; Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 532 = Score 46
Credit Granted: Elective credit for a lower division (200-level) course in Management (MGT), 3 credit hours
Substance Abuse (formerly Drug and Alcohol Abuse)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
Technical Writing
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Not Accepted
Credit Granted: No Credit Awarded
The Civil War and Reconstruction
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Criterion-referenced B-Grade Equiv. Score = 434; Norm-referenced "B" Equiv. Score--SE/SF/SG/SH 483 = Score 52
Credit Granted: Credit for "The Era of the Civil War" (HIST 644), 3 credit hours
Western Europe Since 1945 (Exam discontinued by DSST effective December 31, 2014)
(Formerly Contemporary Western Europe: 1946-1990)
FHSU Minimum Score Required: Norm-referenced ACE Score--SE 465 = Score 48, SF/SG/SH/SL 465 = Score 45
Credit Granted: Undergraduate Credit for "Europe Since 1914" (HIST 629), 3 credit hours