The College Level Exam Program (CLEP) offers subject matter examinations and general examinations. 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 this chart, but only after admission is granted and the student is (or has been) enrolled in Portland State courses.
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 College Board.
Students can take the CLEP exam at an approved testing site, if one is open. Request that CLEP send the official score transcript to Portland State University (select PSU's school code when requesting a transcript). You can find a list of CLEP testing centers on the CLEP website. If you have additional test center questions, contact CLEP Services at clep@info.collegeboard.org.
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.
College Level Exam Program (CLEP) Approved at Portland State
Credits and course equivalencies are subject to change. Language exam credit is limited to either first or second year, depending on score.
| Examination |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| Humanities |
9 Arts and Letters (AL) elective credits |
50 |
Closed to students with more than 90 credits |
| Natural Science |
9 Science (SCI) elective credits |
50 |
Closed to students with more than 90 credits
|
| Social Science/History |
9 Social Science (SSC) elective credits |
50 |
Closed to students with more than 90 credits
|
| Arts and Letter Subject Examination |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| French |
12 |
50 |
Awards FR 101, 102, 103
|
| French |
12 |
59 |
Awards FR 201, 202, 203
|
|
German
|
12 |
50 |
Awards GER 101, 102, 103
|
| German |
12 |
60 |
Awards GER 201, 202, 203
|
| Spanish Language |
12 |
50 |
Awards SPAN 101, 102, 103
|
| Spanish Language |
12 |
63 |
Awards SPAN 201, 202, 203
|
| Spanish with Writing |
12 |
50 |
Awards SPAN 101, 102, 103
|
| Spanish with Writing |
12 |
65 |
Awards SPAN 201, 202, 203
|
| History Subject Examination |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| History of the US I |
2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exams |
50 |
Awards History lower division elective |
| History of the US II |
2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam |
50 |
Awards History lower division elective
|
| Western Civilization I |
2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam
|
50 |
Awards History lower division elective
|
| Western Civilization II |
2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam
|
50 |
Awards History lower division elective
|
| Science Subject examination |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| Biology |
0 |
49 |
Waives BI 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216
|
| Calculus |
8 |
50 |
Awards MTH 251, 252
|
| College Algebra |
4
|
50 |
Awards MTH 111
|
| Pre-Calculus |
4
|
50 |
Awards MTH 112
|
| College Mathematics |
4 |
50 |
Awards Math lower division credit (starting 7/2001) |
| Social Science Subject Examination |
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| American Government |
8 |
50 |
Awards PS 101, 102
|
| Introductory Psychology |
8 |
50 |
Awards PSY 200, 204
|
|
Introductory Microeconomics
|
4
|
50 |
Awards EC 201
|
|
Introductory Macroeconomics
|
4
|
50 |
Awards EC 202
|
| Sociology |
0 |
50 |
Waives prerequisite for upper division courses |
|
Business Subject Examination*
|
Credits Approved |
Passing Score |
Notes |
| Financial Accounting |
4 |
50 |
Awards BA 211
|
| Information Systems and Computer Applications |
4 |
50 |
Awards Business lower division elective credit
|
|
Introductory Business Law
|
4
|
50 |
Awards Business lower division elective credit
|
|
Principles of Management
|
4
|
50 |
Awards Business lower division elective credit
|
| Principles of Marketing |
4 |
50 |
Awards Business lower division elective credit
|
*Valid for exams taken fall 2014, and later