Education Guide Number 3 [text only]

Credit-By-Examination Programs

Adults who have been in the workforce for a period of time have gained knowledge in any number of areas. One of the goals of nontraditional educational programs is to enable students to document or prove that they have gained college-level learning in specific areas. One of the simplest ways of doing that is through examinations.

Literally thousands of colleges award students credit towards their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees on the basis of scores received through credit-by-examination programs. Many of these institutions do not have nontraditional degree programs, but still accept results on exams for credit. By using one of the well-established credit-by-examination programs, specifically College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs), Excelsior College Examinations, or Thomas Edison State College Examination Program (TECEP), schools often give the same amount of credit as their own courses offered by similar names.

Why Use Credit-By-Examination Programs?

There are a number of reasons why people take exams for credit, but the three major reasons are as follows:

Time. Most adult students have job and family responsibilities that preclude taking more than one or two courses per term. Trying to get any college degree at that rate seems like it would take forever! Using exams to gain as many as 30 or 40 credits towards a degree (which some New York State employees have done) would considerably shorten the time required to finish a degree program.

Money. Credit-by-examination programs are very economical, with exams costing as little as $65. Most community colleges charge at least $300 for a 3-credit course.

Confidence. Many adults who think about returning to school may lack the confidence in their ability to do college-level work. Taking examinations for credit can help students determine whether or not they are ready to start a degree program.

Is Credit-By-Examination For You?

Although using credit-by-examination programs is a great boost in pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, it may not be for everyone. There are two factors you should consider as you look into taking examinations for credit.

1. How well do you learn independently? There are some people who learn extremely well on their own, as long as they have the right resources (books, tapes, Internet sites). If this is you, then credit-by-examination is for you. However, if you really need interaction with teachers and other students, then you may not be able to use these examinations for very many credits.

2. What type of test taker are you? Some of us are almost “naturals” at taking standardized tests, while others are the type who always have trouble on exams no matter how well they know the subject matter. If you have always had trouble taking tests, at the very least, you will want to get some assistance in developing your test taking skills before taking any of these exams.

Planning and Preparation

Obviously, you will want to contact CLEP, the DSST Program, Excelsior College, or TECEP to get information on their examination programs. Before signing up to take any exams, there are a few steps to take to ensure that using a credit-by-examination program will help you in the long run. If you are already in a college program, start with Step 5.

Step 1: Get the catalog from the college or colleges you are considering and also get a copy of the college’s policy on accepting CLEP, DSSTs, Excelsior College, or TECEP exams.

Step 2: Meet with advisors from the colleges to ask any questions you may have and to learn about

services available to adult students.

Step 3: Based on your needs, the programs and services offered at the college(s), their policies on using examinations for credit, and other factors, evaluate your options and decide on which college is right for you.

Step 4: Apply for admission to the college of your choice.

Step 5: After acceptance, meet with an academic advisor to discuss courses to take and which exams you could take for possible credit.

Step 6: Arrange to take exams and to have your scores sent to your college. Each examination program can supply a list of test centers for their respective programs.

Step 7: STUDY!! Regardless of the strength of your background in a particular subject, most people cannot take an exam with no preparation. CLEP, DSSTs, Excelsior College, and TECEP all offer study guides for their exams. These guides indicate what is covered on each of the exams and in some cases, give sample questions. Since many exams cover introductory level coursework, one of the best resources to use in preparing is a course textbook (preferably used!) available from the college bookstore.

Specific Examination Programs

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program of credit-by-examination that allows you to gain recognition for college-level achievement. General Examinations measure familiarity with material covered during the first two years of college to meet general education requirements. Subject Examinations measure knowledge acquired in more specific college course areas. CLEP, P.O. Box 6600, Princeton, NJ, 08541; (800) 257-9558; and www.collegeboard.com/clep.

Composition and Literature

American Literature
Freshman College Composition
English Composition
Analyzing & Interpreting Literature
English Literature
Humanities

Foreign Languages

College-Level French (1 and 2 semesters)
College-Level Spanish (1 and 2 semesters)
College-Level German (1 and 2 semesters)

History and Social Sciences

American Government
Introduction to Educational Psychology
Principles of Microeconomics
Introductory Sociology
U.S. History I: Early Colonizations to 1877
U.S. History II: 1865 to the Present
Western Civilizations I: Ancient Near East to 1648
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
Human Growth & Development
Principles of Macroeconomics
Introductory Psychology
Social Sciences and History

Science and Mathematics

Calculus
College Algebra
Trigonometry
College Mathematics
College Algebra – Trigonometry
Biology
Chemistry
Natural Sciences

Business

Information Systems & Computer Applications
Introductory Business Law
Principles of Management
Principles of Accounting
Principles of Marketing

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) is a credit-by-examination program offering students the opportunity to earn college credit. DSSTs offer 37 exams in areas somewhat different than CLEP. They cover sciences, social sciences, business, applied technology, and foreign languages. The Chauncey Group International, DSST Program, 664 Rosedale Road, MS 23P, Princeton, NJ 08540; (877) 471-9860; and www.getcollegecredit.com.

Mathematics

Fundamentals of College Algebra
Principles of Statistics

Social Science

Art of the Western World
Western Europe since 1945
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East
Human/Cultural Geography
A History of the Vietnam War
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Foundations of Education
Life Span Developmental Psychology
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
General Anthropology
Introduction to Law Enforcement
Criminal Justice
Fundamentals of Counseling
Rise & Fall of the Soviet Union

Business

Principles of Finance
Principles of Financial Accounting
Human Resource Management
Organizational Behavior
Principles of Supervision
Business Law II
Introduction to Computing
Management Information Systems
Introduction to Business
Money and Banking
Personal Finance
Business Mathematics

Physical Science

Astronomy
Here’s to Your Health
Environment and Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet
Principles of Physical Science I
Physical Geology

Applied Technology

Technical Writing

Humanities

Ethics in America
Introduction to World Religions
Principles of Public Speaking

Excelsior College exams provide flexible opportunities to demonstrate college-level learning in the arts & sciences, business, education, and nursing. There are 42 tests available in computer delivered format through Prometric Testing Centers nationwide. Excelsior College, 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203; 888-647-2388; Examination Line: (888) 723-9267; and www.excelsior.edu.

Arts & Sciences

Abnormal Psychology
American Dream
Anatomy & Physiology
English Composition
Ethics: Theory & Practice
Foundations of Gerontology
History of Nazi Germany
World Population
Microbiology
Pathophysiology
Psychology of Adulthood & Aging
Religions of the World
Research Methods in Psychology
Statistics
Life Span Developmental Psychology

Business

Business Policy & Strategy
Human Resource Management
Labor Relations
Organizational Behavior
Production/Operations Management

Education

Literacy Instruction in the Elementary School

Nursing: Associates Degree Level

Fundamentals of Nursing
Maternity Nursing
Nursing Concepts 1
Nursing Concepts 3
Nursing Concepts 5
Nursing Concepts: Foundations of Professional Practice
Maternal & Child Nursing
Differences in Nursing Care: Area C
Nursing Concepts 2
Nursing Concepts 4
Nursing Concepts 6

Nursing: Baccalaureate Degree Level

Adult Nursing
Health Restoration: Area I & Area II
Health Support A: Health Promotion & Health Protection
Health Support B: Community Health Nursing
Maternal & Child Nursing
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
Management in Nursing
Research in Nursing
Professional Nursing: Issues and Concerns

Thomas Edison State College Exam Program (TECEP) offers a wide range of examinations for earning college credit. Originally designed to help enrolled Thomas Edison State College students meet degree requirements, the examinations are now administered nationally and may be used at many other institutions. All examinations listed are three semester hours of credit except Anatomy & Physiology, which is six semester hours of credit. Test descriptions for each exam are available from Thomas Edison State College, 101 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608;

(609) 633-2844; and www.tesc.edu.

English Composition

English Composition I
English Composition II

Humanities

Art History I
Public Relations Thought and Practice
Introduction to the History of Film
Shakespeare I
Art History II
Technical Writing
Introduction to News Reporting
Introduction to the Art of Theater

Social Sciences

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Nutrition
Psychology of Personality
Research in Experimental Psychology
Industrial Psychology
Alcohol Abuse: Fundamental Facts
Organizational Behavior
Developmental Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Introduction to Political Science
Psychology of Women
Behavior Modification Techniques Counseling
Introduction to Social Psychology
Substance Abuse: Fundamental Facts
Advanced Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

Natural Sciences/Mathematics

Anatomy & Physiology
BASIC
Physics II
QBASIC
Physics I
Principles of Statistics

Business

Marketing Channels
Introduction to Computer Information Systems
Financial Institutions and Markets
Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Marketing Research
Public Administration
Business Policy
Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
Organizational Behavior
Marketing Communications
Introduction to Operations Management
Advanced Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Business in Society
Principles of Finance
Principles of Management
Sales Management
Marketing Management Strategy
Federal Income Taxation
Database Management
International Finance and Trade
Organization Theory and Analysis
Advertising

Human Services

Introduction to Human Services
Counselor Training: Short-Term Client Systems
Community Health

Radiation Protection

Radioactive Waste Management

Free Elective

Word Processing Fundamentals

Additional Assistance

Using credit-by-examination programs can be an excellent way to shorten the time needed to get your degree and to save tuition dollars. If you need assistance, please call the Partnership Office at (800) 253-4332 and ask to talk to an advisor.

Other Resources

Bear’s Guide to Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally, John B. Bear & Mariah P. Bear, Ten Speed Press, El Cerrito, CA, 1998.

The Official Study Guide for CLEP Examinations, College Board Publications, New York, NY, 1999.

Campus-Free College Degrees, Marcie Kisner Thorson, Tulsa, OK, 1998.

Excelsior College Examinations: A Guide for Test Preparation and Registration, www.excelsior.edu.

DSST: The Official Test Preparation Guide, Peterson’s Guides, Thomson Learning Company, Lawrenceville, NJ, 2001.

TECEP Examinations Test Description Book, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ, 2000.

Development of this guide was jointly funded through the negotiated agreement between the State of New York and the Civil Service Employees Association, Inc. and the negotiated agreement between the State of New York and the Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO. Program administration and additional funding are provided by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations.

Danny Donohue, President
Civil Service Employees
Association, Inc.
Local 1000, AFSCME
AFL-CIO

Gary Johnson, Director
New York State Governor’s
Office of Employee Relations

Kenneth Brynien, President New York State
Public Employees Federation,
AFL-CIO

No. 3 Copyright © May 2007, NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training.