College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The Individualized Study Major at JMU participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The tests are now being administered in the ISM office. CLEP is a national program that offers students credit by computer-based examination. This allows students to have the opportunity to obtain recognition for achievement in specific college courses. ISM students are typically non-traditional students and it is important for them to have access to several mechanisms for earning credit. This page will take you to a list of the CLEP exams.

 The following policies determine the awarding of credit based on this program:

1. Credit for the same college-level learning may not be acquired by using two different methods.
2. Duplication of credit in the general and subject examinations is not permitted.
3. If an equivalent course is not offered, CLEP will be accepted as elective credit whenever a similar discipline or department is available at the University. The number of such courses will be a "000."
4. Academic departments may require other evidence of proficiency.

General Exams

General exams may be taken to earn general education credit. For the most part, numbers for such courses will be "001."

The minimum score on the general examinations is 50, which is recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Educational (ACE).

Students may not earn credit on general exams and also on equivalent courses.

Students may earn up to six semester hours of credit with the Humanities exams in the areas of Art (3 credits) and English (3 credits).

Students may earn up to six credits with the Natural Science exam. They will not be eligible to take any introductory level course in biology, chemistry, geology or physics.

Subject Exams

1. The minimum score on subject exams is the passing score recommended by ACE for all subject exams.
2. Students may not earn credit on subject exams and also on equivalent courses.

CLEP tests must be arranged in advance. Please call the ISM office at 540-568-6824 to schedule and exam, for directions, and the current fees.

 
 Go to http://www.collegeboard.org/clep/ for more information on the CLEP exams.

Note: The US History I and US History II CLEP exams do not meet US History general education requirements for ISM students at JMU beginning with the Spring 2006 semester. Students must take GHIST 225 or GPOS 225 or arrange for a departmental exam to meet the requirements.

All available CLEP exams are available at the university whether or not they are accepted for credit by JMU's Individualized Study Major.