2.1.7 College Level Examination Program

Policy

Illinois State University grants credit by examination toward General Education requirements and some specific courses for the College Level Examination Program under the following guidelines:

Guidelines

1. A student may receive credit for a maximum of eighteen semester hours credit through CLEP General Examinations.
2. A student who desires to take the CLEP General Examinations should do so before enrolling for classes at the University.
3. Credit earned through the CLEP General Examinations shall count toward General Education and graduation requirements only. A student may not use the CLEP General Examinations to raise grades or remove failures in courses already taken. All credit for CLEP General Examinations shall be considered credit at the 100 level.
4. A student who is awarded credit in one or more areas of the General Examinations should consult with his or her adviser to select other appropriate basic and advanced courses.
5. A student may not receive credit for both an area of the CLEP General Examinations and previously earned course credit in the same area. For example, a student who receives credit for a General Examination in the Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre) area may not receive credit for a Department Proficiency Examination in the Fine Arts area. Also, credit will not be awarded for the General Examination areas in which credit is earned through Department Proficiency, Advanced Placement or CLEP Subject Examinations.
6. Students may take the CLEP General Examinations at Illinois State at times scheduled by the University Testing Office or any CLEP Open Test Center. A student who takes the CLEP examinations is responsible for the cost of the examination.
7. For students who have taken the CLEP general examinations prior to July 1, 2001.  A student will be awarded 6 semester hours credit toward graduation and General Education requirements for a score of 570 on the Humanities, a score of 610 on the Natural Sciences, and a score of 550 on the Social Sciences and History general examinations passed. Credit will be awarded as follows:

   Humanities     -3 hours Fine Arts (Outer Core) -and 3 hours Language in the Humanities (Middle Core) Natural Sciences     -3 hours Biological Sciences (Inner Core) -and 3 hours Physical Sciences (Inner Core) Social Sciences and History     -3 hours Individuals and Socieity (Middle Core) -and 3 hours U.S. Traditions (Middle Core)

   
   *If CLEP credit is received in both Biological and Physical Sciences, the General Education lab requirement will be waived.
   NOTE:  Credit is not available for the English Composition or Mathematics General Examination.
8. For students who have taken the CLEP general examinations on or after July 1, 2001. A student will be awarded 6 semester hours credit toward graduation and General Education requirements for a score of 56 on the Humanities, a score of 65 (56 after May 22, 2006) on the Natural Sciences, and a score of 56 on the Social Sciences and History general examinations passed. Credit will be awarded as follows:

   Humanities
   -3 hours	Fine Arts	(Outer Core)
   -and 3 hours	Language in the Humanities	(Middle Core)
   Natural Sciences*
   -3 hours	Biological Sciences	(Inner Core)
   -and 3 hours	Physical Sciences	(Inner Core)
   Social Sciences and History
   -3 hours	Individuals and Society	(Middle Core)
   -and 3 hours	U.S. Traditions	(Middle Core)

*If CLEP credit is received in both Biological and Physical Sciences the General Education lab requirement will be waived.

NOTE: Credit is not available for the English Composition or Mathematics General Examination.

9. CLEP Subject Examinations: In addition to the previously described opportunities provided by the CLEP General Examinations, several departments or schools grant credit by examination in specific subject areas covered by CLEP Subject Examinations. Courses approved for credit under this program are HIS 101 and 102, MAT 145 and 145, POL 105 or 106 (includes U.S. Constitution only), PSY 111, and SOC 106. The University Testing Office provides information about test dates and fees.