College Level Exam Program
The College Level Exam Program (CLEP) includes nationally normed examinations. CLEP offers subject matter examinations and general examinations.
Eligibility for CLEP
CLEP subject or general examinations may be taken prior to entering the University. If the individual passes a CLEP examination, the University accepts the amount of credit indicated in the table below, but only after admission is granted and the student is (or has been) enrolled in Portland State courses.
Qualifications for CLEP Transfer
Students who have taken CLEP examinations prior to entering Portland State may transfer such credit provided they have passed the examination with scores at or above the minimum accepted by Portland State and provided the University has approved the examinations for credit.
Application for Credit Before Coming to Portland State
Students may request an official CLEP transcript be sent to Portland State. Download the transcript request form from the CLEP web site.
Send transcript(s) to:
Admissions, Registration and Records
Portland State University
PO Box 901
Portland, OR 97207-0901
Where to Apply for CLEP Exams
Admitted students planning to take CLEP exams should apply for them at least one month in advance with Testing Services (part of Student Health and Counseling) or with another recognized CLEP testing center. Testing Services supplies descriptive brochures and other information on CLEP exams. The office also supplies information and administers exams to nonadmitted or nonenrolled students. Fees for CLEP exams are set by the national Educational Testing Services and are subject to change. All exams are computerized.
Relation Between CLEP and AP Program
Students cannot earn duplicate credit through CLEP in the subjects for which they earned Advanced Placement (AP) credit. To the extent that a student's high school does not offer AP courses, CLEP credit can supplement or substitute for AP credit.
CLEP Examinations Approved at Portland State University1
| General Examinations |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| Humanities |
Fulfills 9 credits of non-major requirements or nine lower division credits |
50 |
Closed to students with more than 90 credits.
|
| Natural Science |
Fulfills 9 credits of non-major requirements |
50 |
Closed to students with more than 90 credits.
|
| Social Science/History |
Fulfills 9 credits of non-major requirements or 9 lower division credits |
50 |
Closed to students who have earned 9 credits in the social sciences
|
| Subject Examinations |
| Arts and Letters |
| French |
12 |
50 |
Satisfies FR 101, 102, 103* |
| French |
12 |
62 |
Satisfies FR 201, 202, 203* |
| German |
12 |
50 |
Satisfies GER 101, 102, 103* |
| German |
12 |
60 |
Satisfies GER 201, 202, 203* |
| Spanish |
12 |
50 |
Satisfies SPAN 101, 102, 103* |
| Spanish |
12 |
66 |
Satisfies SPAN 201, 202, 203* |
| Science |
| Biology |
0 |
49 |
Waives BI 251, 252, 253 |
| Calculus |
8 |
50 |
Satisfies MTH 251, 252 |
| College Algebra |
4 |
50 |
Satisfies MTH 111 |
| Pre-Calculus |
4 |
50 |
Satisfies MTH 112 |
| General Chemistry |
12 |
50 |
Satisfies CH 201, 202, 203 or CH 221, 222, 223 |
| Social Science |
| American Government |
8 |
50 |
Satisfies PS 101, 102 |
| Introductory Psychology |
8 |
50 |
Satisfies PSY 200, 204 |
| Introductory Microeconomics |
4 |
50 |
Satisfies EC 201 |
| Introductory Macroeconomics |
4 |
50 |
Satisfies EC 202 |
| Sociology |
0 |
50 |
Waives prerequisite for upper division courses |
1Credits and course equivalencies are subject to change.
*Language exam credit is limited to either first or second year, depending on score.
|