College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program is a nationwide credit-by-examination program which offers persons of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to obtain recognition for college-level achievement, regardless of where, when, or how the knowledge has been acquired—through formal study, independent reading, employment, noncredit courses or other learning experiences.

Bowling Green State University offers academic credit for some, but not all CLEP subject examinations offered by the College Board. CLEP general examinations are not accepted at BGSU. Examinations accepted and criteria for awarding credit are listed in the table below. Equivalencies can be adjusted due to changes in American Council on Education recommendations.

Subject examinations are computer-based and measure achievement in specific college courses. If you meet the criteria established for the examination, you will be awarded credit for the specific courses allowed by the appropriate academic department. Most subject examinations are objective tests, but some include a separate essay section which candidates should take if the academic department requires it (noted in the following table). For helpful information concerning content of tests and preparation for them, please visit the following link to the CLEP Prep Center.

As a national testing center, BGSU administers CLEP examinations on the Bowling Green campus through the Testing Center in Disability Services. The Testing Center schedules and administers the tests (419-372-8495). More information about CLEP examination scheduling, costs, and score reporting can be found at the CLEP web site.

All fees, credit awards and testing procedures are subject to change. Questions about CLEP credit should be directed to Transfer Evaluation Services in the Office of Registration and Records, transfer@bgsu.edu or (419) 372-7959.

Criteria and Credit Awarded for Select CLEP subject Examinations

CLEP Subject
Examination
Current Criteria for Granting
Credit
BGSU Credit Awarded Comments
American Government Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours of credit for POLS 1100 Exam is computer-based version
offered 7-1-2001 or later
American Literature Scaled score of 50 or higher 6 hours of credit for ENG 2740 and ENG 2750  
Analysis &
Interpretation of
Literature (essay
version of the examination
required)
Scaled score of 64 or higher 3 hours of credit for ENG 2010 Paper and pencil tests (taken
July 1, 2001 or prior) earned 3
hours of credit for ENG 2010 for a score in the 70th percentile and approved essay
Biology Scaled score of 50 or higher 10 hours credit for BIOL 2040
and 2050
Paper and pencil tests (taken
July 1, 2001 or prior) earned 10
hours of credit for BIOL 2040
and 2050 for a score in the
70th percentile
Calculus Scaled score of 50 or higher 5 hours credit for MATH 1310  
College Algebra Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours credit for MATH 1210  
College Composition Scaled score of 50 or higher 6 hours credit for GSW 1110
and ENG 1XXX
 
College Composition Modular Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours credit in GSW 1110  
English Literature Scaled score of 50 or higher 6 hours of credit for ENG
2640 and 2650
 
French Language

Scaled score of 55 or higher

Scaled score of 66 or higher

4 hours of credit for FREN 1020

3 hours of credit for FREN 2020

Credit for only one course
awarded. Exams are computer
based offered after
7-1-2001.
German Language

Scaled score of 50 or higher

Scaled score of 63 or higher

4 hours of credit for GERM 1020

3 hours of credit for GERM 2020

Credit for only one course awarded.

Exams are computer based offered
after 7-1-2001.

History of the US I:
Early Colonization to 1877
Scaled Score of 50 or higher 3 hours of credit for HIST
2050
 
History of the US II:
1877 to Present
Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours credit for HIST 2060  
Introductory Psychology Scaled score 55 or higher 4 hours of credit for PSYC 1010 Exams are computer based
offered after 7-1-2001
Introductory Sociology Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours of credit for SOC 1010 Paper and pencil tests (taken
July 1, 2001 or prior) earned 3
hours credit for SOC 1010 for a
scaled score of 46.
Principles of Marketing Scaled score of 62 or higher 3 hours of credit for MKT 3000  
Principles of
Macroeconomics
Scaled score of 64 or higher 3 hours of credit for ECON
2030
 
Principles of
Microeconomics
Scaled score of 64 or higher 3 hours of credit for ECON 2020  
Spanish Language

Scaled score of 50 or higher

Scaled score of 66 or higher

4 hours of credit for SPAN 1020

3 hours of credit for SPAN 2020

Credit for only one course
awarded. Exams are computer
based offered after 7-1-2001.  
Western Cililization I:
Ancient Near East to 1648
Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours of credit for HIST 1510  
Western Civilization II:
1648 to the Present
Scaled score of 50 or higher 3 hours of credit for HIST 1520  

Updated: 12/01/2017 10:36PM