CLEP tests are offered by the same organization that implements the SAT test. They are generally 90-minute long, multiple-choice tests that you can take at MTSU (and many other locations around the world). These tests apply and are recognized at colleges around the United States and give you college-level credit for the course. You can send your score to whatever institutions you choose (for instance, if you take the test in Michigan, you can also use it in Tennessee).
The potential “catch” in this process is that not every college accepts the exact same CLEP tests. In other words, their standards vary…and CLEP tests are not all accepted at all universities. MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University – in Murfreesboro – close to the Nashville area) has a list of several courses that they give CLEP credit for. You will see a long list of those below. Many of these courses apply to the “General Education” hours that ALL students need in order to graduate – no matter what “Major” you select. I am copying the list of CLEP tests and equivalency that MTSU accepts along with the General Education requirements for ther university. If you are attending anywhere else, you will need to check that school’s requirements.
Typically, you only need to make a “C” or better on the test (which generally means a 50 on their scoring scale), and it does not matter if you make 100 percent or 70 percent – you get the same credit with either score. You also get the same credit in college as you would if you took an AP class and test at the high school…only the CLEP tests tend to be a good bit easier and are offered year-round.
It costs about 110 dollars to take a CLEP test. You will need to prepare using some type of “test prep” book geared towards that test. In some cases, the test prep book alone may be enough, but in other cases (like chemistry and biology for instance), you will need to use additional study materials to prepare. We have found the REA test guides to be helpful. The Brentwood Library (here in Brentwood, Tennessee) also offers FREE CLEP test prep and practice tests through their online resources for library card holders. We also have used www.shmoop.com and a variety of online resources to study and review for these tests. Check out this long list of CLEP test opportunities that exist at MTSU. This will give you a good idea of what is possible. Praise GOD for this ability to explore these great options for your children to gain college credit early!
MTSU CLEP acceptance (http://www.mtsu.edu/countest/testing/clep.php – scroll to the bottom for a list)
MTSU General Education Hours – http://www.mtsu.edu/gen_ed/program.php
| CLEP GENERAL EXAMINATION | CREDITS | IN LIEU OF COURSES AT MTSU |
| American Government | 3 | Political Science 1005 |
| American History I: Early Col. to 1877 | 3 | History 2010 |
| American History II: 1865 to Present | 3 | History 2020 |
| Western Civ. I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 3 | History 1010 |
| Western Civ. II: 1648 to Present | 3 | History 1020 |
| Analysis & Interp. of Literature (Essay) | 3 | English 2030 |
| Pre-calculus | 4 | Mathematics 1730 |
| Calculus | 4 | Mathematics 1910 |
| College Algebra | 3 | Mathematics 1710 |
| College Mathematics | 3 | College Mathematics 1010 |
| Biology | 4 | Biology 1030/1031 |
| Chemistry | 8 | Chemistry 1110/1111, 1120/1121 |
| Principles of Management | 3 | Management 3610 |
| Financial Accounting | 3 | Accounting 2110 |
| Introductory Business Law | 3 | Commercial Law 3430 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | Economics 2410 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | Economics 2420 |
| Introductory Psychology | 3 | Psychology 1410 |
| Introductory Sociology | 3 | Sociology 1010 |
| Principles of Marketing | 3 | Marketing 3820 |
MTSU GENERAL EDUCATION HOURS
| COMMUNICATION (9 hours) There are 3 required courses: 3 hours in Oral Presentational Communication and 6 hours in English Composition |
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| COMM | 2200 | Fundamentals of Communication |
| ENGL | 1010 | Expository Writing |
| ENGL | 1020 | Research & Argumentative Writing |
| HISTORY (6 hours) | ||
| HIST | 2010 | Survey of US History I |
| HIST | 2020 | Survey of US History II |
| HIST | 2030 | Tennessee History |
| HUMANITIES and/or FINE ARTS (9 hours) One course must be in Literature; in order to insure breadth of knowledge, the two other courses selected must be with different rubric prefixes. |
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| ANTH | 2210 | Introduction to World Prehistory |
| ART | 1030 | Art Appreciation |
| ART | 1920 | Survey of Western Art I |
| DANC | 1000 | Dance Appreciation |
| ENGL | 2020 | Themes in Literature and Culture |
| ENGL | 2030 | The Experience of Literature |
| HIST | 1010 | Survey Western Civilization I |
| HIST | 1020 | Survey Western Civilization II |
| HIST | 1110 | Survey World Civilization I |
| HIST | 1120 | Survey World Civilization II |
| HUM | 2610 | Foreign Literature in Translation |
| MUS | 1030 | Introduction to Music |
| PHIL | 1030 | Introduction to Philosophy |
| THEA | 1030 | Theatre Appreciation |
| MATHEMATICS (3 hours) A 4 hour course would be 3 hours General Education and 1 hour toward degree requirements |
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| MATH | 1010 | Mathematics for General Studies |
| MATH | 1530 | Applied Statistics |
| MATH | 1630 | College Mathematics for Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences |
| MATH | 1710 | College Algebra |
| MATH | 1720 | Plane Trigonometry |
| MATH | 1730 | Pre-Calculus |
| MATH | 1810 | Applied Calculus I |
| MATH | 1910 | Calculus I |
| NATURAL SCIENCES (8 hours) 3 hour class/1 hour lab Two different non-sequential courses must be selected for natural-science credit and must be with different rubric prefixes; at most only the first semester of any two-semester discipline-specific sequence may count for General Education natural-science credit. |
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| ASTR | 1030/1031 | Exploring the Universe |
| BIOL | 1030/1031 | Exploring Life |
| BIOL | 1110/1111 | General Biology |
| BIOL | 2010/2011 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
| BIOL | 2020/2021 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
| CHEM | 1010/1011 | Introductory General Chemistry |
| CHEM | 1030/1031 | Chemistry for Consumers |
| CHEM | 1110/1111 | General Chemistry I |
| GEOL | 1030/1031 | Introduction to Earth Science |
| GEOL | 1040/1041 | Physical Geology |
| PHYS | 1110 | Discovering Physics |
| PHYS | 2010/2011 | Non-Calculus-Based Physics I |
| PHYS | 2110/2111 | Calculus-Based Physics I |
| PSCI | 1030/1031 | Topics in Physical Science |
| PSCI | 1130/1131 | Comtemporary Issues in Science |
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SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (6 hours) The two courses selected must be with different rubric prefixes. |
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| AAS | 2100 | Introduction to African-American Studies |
| ANTH | 2010 | Cultural Anthropology |
| ECON | 2410 | Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics |
| GEOG | 2000 | Introduction to Regional Geography |
| GS | 2010 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural Experiences |
| HLTH | 1530/1531 | Health and Wellness |
| JOUR/EMC/RI | 1020 | American Media and Social Institutions |
| PS | 1005 | Introduction to American Politics (prev. Amer. Govt. & Politics) |
| PS | 1010 | Introduction to Global Politics (prev. Foundations of Govt.) |
| RS | 2030 | Religion and Society |
| PSY | 1410 | General Psychology |
| SOC | 1010 | Introductory Sociology |
| SOC | 2010 | Social Problems |
| WGST | 2100 | Introduction to Women’s Studies |