College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College Level Examination Program

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is an official testing center for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). You can take any CLEP exam at SHSU, but only the specific subject exams listed below are eligible for credit at the university. 

SHSU allows students to earn up to 30 credit hours through a combination of CLEP exams and other standardized or departmental tests. If a students wishes to earn more than 30 hours of credit by examination, they can request an individual review by the relevant academic department as outline in policy UG 950531. 

  • Exams Accepted for SHSU Course Credit
    SUBJECT EXAM TITLE SHSU COURSE # CREDIT HOURS
    AWARDED
    American Government POLS 2305 3
    Analyzing & Interpreting Literature(+Essay)* ENGL 1302 3
    Biology BIOL 1406 and 1407 4, 4
    Calculus MATH 1420 4
    Chemistry CHEM 1411 4
    College Algebra MATH 1314 3
    College Composition Modular (+Essay)* ENGL 1301 3
    College Mathematics MATH 1332 3
    Financial Accounting ACCT 2301 3
    French Language FREN 1411, 1412, 2311, 2312 4-14
    German Language GER 1411, 1412, 2311, 2312 4-14
    Human Growth and Development PSYC 3374 3
    Information Systems COSC 1436 4
    Introductory Business Law BUAD 2301 3
    Introductory Psychology PSYC 1301 3
    Introductory Sociology SOCI 1301 3
    Precalculus MATH 1314 3
    Principles of Macro Economics ECON 2301 3
    Principles of Microeconomics ECON 2302 3
    Principles of Management MGMT 3310 3
    Principles of Marketing  MKTG 3310 3
    Spanish with Writing SPAN 1411, 1412, 2311, 2312 4-14
    History of United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 HSTY 1301 3
    History of United States II: 1865 to Present HSTY 1302 3
    Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 HSTY 2311 3
    Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present HSTY 2312 3

    *Essay prompts developed by SHSU English department. Examinees for these exams must be a SHSU student with a valid SAM ID number. Non-SHSU students can still complete the multiple-choice section

    • Letter grades A and B take precedence over credit-by-exam. 
    • Credit-by-Exam will automatically replace letter grades D and F. If a letter grade of C is listed on the transcript for a course in which credit-by-exam is also applicable, the C will take precedence over the credit-by-exam. Students will have the option to request credit (via credit-by-exam) in lieu of letter grade C. Students will initiate the change with the respective academic department and Admissions to finalize the change. Although credit-by-exam replaces letter grades C, D, and F, it does not remove the letter grade from the transcript.
    • Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores, but no grades will be awarded. 
  • Acceptable Scores and Exceptions
    • The minimum score needed on a CLEP exam is 50 to earn credit.
    • Exceptions for SHSU Students:  
      • The Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam and College Composition Modular exams also require grading of the essay before credit may be considered. 
      • For foreign language CLEP exams, the SHSU Department of World Languages and Cultures has established the following score requirements for credit 

          Exam Title Credit-Granting Score Course Title
          French Language Level 1 Proficiency 50 FREN 1411; FREN 1412
          French Language Level 2 Proficiency
          51-58
          59-80
          FREN 1411; FREN 1412;  FREN 2311
          FREN 1411; FREN 1412;  FREN 2311; FREN 2312
          German Language Level 1 Proficiency 50

          GERM 1411;
          GERM 1412
          German Language Level 2 Proficiency
          51-59
          60-80
          GERM 1411; GERM 1412; GERM 2311
          GERM 1411; GERM 1412; GERM 2311; GERM 2312
          Spanish with Writing Level 1 Proficiency 50 SPAN 1411; SPAN 1412
          Spanish with Writing Level 2 Proficiency
          51-64
          65-80
          SPAN 1411; SPAN 1412; SPAN 2311
          SPAN 1411; SPAN 1412; SPAN 2311; SPAN 2312
        • Scheduling Options and Exam Length
          • Test Delivery Options: In-person 
          • In-person exams are located on the SHSU Huntsville campus.  
          • Exam length: 90-160 minutes  
        • Test Fee
          • $33.50 (paid to the Testing Center)
          • $95.00 (paid to CLEP) 

          Please note, the CLEP fee must be paid before scheduling your appointment with the Testing Center. Visit CLEP to select your exam and pay the CLEP fee.  

           

          All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.  

        • Test Day Requirements
          • Please arrive to the Center 15 minutes before your exam start time.  
          • Testers must bring the following forms of ID and information with them on test day:  
            • Valid Photo ID – may not be expired and must have photo.
              • Examples: Driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, military ID, student ID. 
          • CLEP Ticket ID 
            • This ID number is provided to you after your exam selection and payment on the CLEP website.  
                  • Test Score Availability
                    • Scores will be displayed immediately following completion of the exam* and a paper copy of scores will also be provided*.  
                    • Additionally, students can view, download, or print a copy of their CLEP scores 24 hours after completing their exam by visiting their My CLEP portal*.  
                    • *Scores for the College Composition exam and the Spanish with Writing exam will be available in a student’s My CLEP portal 2-3 weeks after their exam day. 
                      • How Do I Send My Scores? How Do I Get My Score Reports?
                        • Test takers are provided with two free score requests during the registration process for their CLEP exam. This will allow you to send your scores to the institution(s) you desire.  
                        • After completion of your CLEP exam, you can request additional copies of your score report, or have your scores sent to another institution for a fee. This is handled through your My CLEP student portal.  
                        • If you are a SHSU student and wish to have your CLEP credit applied to your curriculum, you will need to request an official copy of your CLEP scores to be sent to SHSU.  
                      • How Long are my Scores Valid?
                        • CLEP exams completed on or after July 1, 2022, are valid for 10 years from the test date.  
                        • Scores for CLEP exams taken on or before June 30, 2022, will be valid for 20 years from the test day.  
                        • Am I Able to Take an Exam Again?
                          • Students may repeat CLEP exams, but must follow the criteria below:
                            • CLEP exams: must wait 90 days to retest
                            • Essay exams: must wait 30 days to retest
                              • (i.e., Analyzing & Interpreting Literature and College Composition Modular) 
                              • Accommodations
                                      • The Testing Center must receive documentation of your accommodation at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled test date.  
                                    • CLEP Resources
                                    • CLEP Contact Information