CLEP (The College-Level Examination Program)
CLEP (The College-Level Examination Program) is a National program of credit-by-examination sponsored by the College Board. These examinations may be taken at Northern Kentucky University. Credit may be earned through general and/or subject examinations. Northern Kentucky University students may earn a maximum of 45 credit hours from CLEP. The University is a recognized CLEP testing center; therefore testing can be applicable to other institutions that accept CLEP scores. NKU students must be degree seeking to receive CLEP credits.
For more information about each individual test, go to http://www.collegeboard.com/clep.
There are two (2) types of CLEP exams:
1. GENERAL EXAMINATIONS: Elective Credit
NKU will accept credit in three areas: Humanities, Natural Science, and Social Science-History; a maximum of 18 credit hours may be earned from these exams. Students who score a 50 or above on each of these three exams will earn 6 credit hours per exam. This credit is awarded on a (P) pass basis and serves as elective credit. This credit DOES NOT go towards General Education requirements.
2. SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS: Course Credit
The following lists of Subject Examinations are those that are accepted at NKU. They have been equated with specific courses offered at the University. Credit is awarded on a pass (P) basis, course per course. This credit DOES go towards General Education requirements.
| Examination |
Minimum Score |
Credit Hours |
Equivalent NKU Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | 6 | ENG 208, ENG 209 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 | ENG 200 |
| Biology (No lab credit) | 50 | 6 | BIO 120, BIO 121 |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | MAT 129 |
| Chemistry | 50 | 6 | CHEM 120, 121 |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | MAT 109 |
| English Composition with Essay | 50 | 3 | ENG 101 |
| English Literature | 50 | 6 | ENG 202, ENG 203 |
|
Financial Accounting |
50 | 3 | ACC 200 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | BUS 230 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 |
PSY 100 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | SOC 100 |
| Precalculus* | 50 | 3 | MAT 119 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECO 200 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | MGT 205 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | MKT 305 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECO 201 |
| U.S. History I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | HIS 102 |
| U.S. History II: 1865 to Present | 50 | 3 | HIS 103 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | HIS 100 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 | 3 | HIS 101 |
*NKU students who take and pass the Precaculus CLEP exam must consult with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for permission to move onto the next math course.
CLEP credit is available in French, German, and Spanish.
NKU students must consult with Dr. Costabile-Heming, Chair of the World Languages Department, before registering for a foreign language CLEP exam.
| Language |
CLEP Score |
Hours Credited |
Additional Course Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| French |
50 or 59 |
8 |
200 level FRE course with A or B grade |
| 60 or above |
14 |
300 level FRE course with A or B grade | |
| German |
50-59 |
8 |
200 level GRE course with A or B grade |
| 60 or above |
14 |
300 level GRE course with A or B grade | |
| Spanish |
50-56 |
8 |
200 level SPI course with A or B grade |
| 57 or above |
14 |
300 level SPI course with A or B grade |
How to Register for a CLEP Exam
CLEP exams are given by appointment only Monday through Friday at 9 am, 11 am or 1 pm. CLEP is not administered when NKU is closed due to campus holiday or closure. Appointments can be made by calling (859) 572-6373.
Important: The same exam may NOT be taken within 6 months.
At the time of the appointment, the examinee is required to pay Northern Kentucky University a registration fee of $25.00. This can be paid over the phone with a credit card or in-person with cash, check, money order, or credit card. This fee is non-refundable. A $15.00 fee will be charged to reschedule an exam day or time.
On the day of the test, the examinee must pay CLEP a $72.00 fee per exam taken. Effective July 1, 2010, this fee will increase to $77.00 per exam taken. CLEP accepts all major credit cards and personal checks.
On the date of the test, examinees must also present a picture identification card that includes both a picture and a signature. Also, a second form of identification is required. This could include a credit card or student I.D. Examinees will not be permitted to test without these identifications.
Study Resources
Examinees in search of study resources can check out the College Board's CLEP Web site at http://www.collegeboard.com/clep. This Web site gives examinees the option to purchase the entire study guide book or individual test study guides. These books can also be found at your local library or bookstore.
For further information about CLEP, contact Amy Danzo, Assistant Director of Testing Services, at (859) 572-6373 or visit our office at University Center 101 (ground level).