EMSC 302
Orientation to Energy and Sustainability Policy

Alternative ways to earn credit

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Alternative ways to earn credit

Looking to earn credit for prior knowledge of a subject? You have several options outlined below. Once you've evaluated your options, be sure to check with your adviser to confirm next steps!

CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)

You can earn credit for courses by taking a CLEP exam. CLEP exams provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your existing knowledge and earn credit for prior learning. You may have learned about applicable topics by completing an independent study epxiernce, prior coursework (that didn't transfer in), on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships.

CLEP Costs

CLEP exams are now available online! These typically cost about $105 (one $20 nonrefundable administrative fee and one $85 CLEP exam fee.)

CLEP Exam Subjects Available

  • business,
  • composition and literature,
  • foreign languages,
  • history and social sciences, and
  • science and mathematics.

For a complete list, visit the Penn State Credit from CLEP Exams page.

Typically CLEP exams take 90 minutes to complete.

Military and Veteran Students

CLEP exams are free for eligible military personnel and eligible civilian employees. You can learn more about that at the CLEP Military Benefits page on the CLEP site.

You can read more about how to get credit for your military schooling and DANTES/DSST testing on the Services for Military and Veteran Students page.

DSST

DSST exams are another way to earn college credit.

DSST Exam Subjects Available

  • business,
  • humanities,
  • math,
  • physical science,
  • social sciences, and
  • technology.

For a complete list, visit the Credit from DSST Exams page.

Typically DSST exams take 2 hours.

Note

Bothe CLEP and DSST exams are multiple choice and administered on a computer.

Credit by Validation

If you completed coursework a a non-accredited institution and the course credits were rejected by Penn State, you may be able to complete the credit by validation process to earn credit for those courses. Read more about that at Undergraduate Admissions' Credit by Validation page.

AP Credits

In order to see if you have earned Penn State credit based on your AP test performance, please search the list found on the Credit from Advanced Placement Exams page.