College Level Exam Program

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.

ExaminationCredits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
Humanities9 Arts and Letters (AL) elective credits50Closed to students with more than 90 credits
Natural Science9 Science (SCI) elective credits50Closed to students with more than 90 credits
Social Science/History9 Social Science (SSC) elective credits50Closed to students with more than 90 credits
Arts and Letter Subject ExaminationCredits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
French1250Awards FR 101, 102, 103
French1259Awards FR 201, 202, 203
German1250Awards GER 101, 102, 103
German1260Awards GER 201, 202, 203
Spanish Language1250Awards SPAN 101, 102, 103
Spanish Language1263Awards SPAN 201, 202, 203
Spanish with Writing1250Awards SPAN 101, 102, 103
Spanish with Writing1265Awards SPAN 201, 202, 203
History Subject ExaminationCredits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
History of the US I2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exams50Awards History lower division elective
History of the US II2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam50Awards History lower division elective
Western Civilization I2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam50Awards History lower division elective
Western Civilization II2; Maximum 4 total from any combination of CLP History exam50Awards History lower division elective
Science Subject examinationCredits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
Biology049Waives BI 221Z, 222Z, 223Z
Calculus850Awards MTH 251Z, 252Z
College Algebra450Awards MTH 111Z
Pre-Calculus450Awards MTH 112Z
College Mathematics450Awards Math lower division credit (starting 7/2001)
Social Science Subject ExaminationCredits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
American Government850Awards PS 101, 102
Introductory Psychology850Awards PSY 201Z, 202Z
Introductory Microeconomics450Awards EC 201Z
Introductory Macroeconomics450Awards EC 202Z
Sociology050Waives prerequisite for upper division courses
Business Subject Examination*Credits ApprovedPassing ScoreNotes
Financial Accounting450Awards BA 211Z
Information Systems and Computer Applications450Awards Business lower division elective credit
Introductory Business Law450Awards Business lower division elective credit
Principles of Management450Awards Business lower division elective credit
Principles of Marketing450Awards Business lower division elective credit

*Valid for exams taken fall 2014, and later