Credit By Exam

Credit by Examination

East Central College allows individuals to earn college credit for knowledge they have acquired outside the regular college classroom through credit-by-examination.  Any student enrolled at East Central College may be eligible for credit under one of the following programs:

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Advanced Placement Program (AP)
• DANTES Subject Standardized Test Program (DSST)
• Project Lead The Way Credit (PLTW)
• Industry Recognized Certifications
• Departmental Examinations

Students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor regarding the use of credit by examination in their educational planning.

Grades for Credit by Examination:  Credits earned by examination are listed on the East Central College transcript with a Passing (P) grade.   A notation is made on the transcript listing the exam that was taken (i.e. CLEP, AP, DSST, departmental exam).

Transfer of Credit by Examination:  Students should be advised that individual colleges set different policies on the acceptance of credit by examination.  Students who plan to transfer should contact the transfer institution for that college’s policies.

Posting Fee:  CLEP, AP, and DSST credits will be posted to the student’s transcript free of charge. Departmental Exams and Industry Recognized Certifications have a fee of one In-district credit hour per course posted.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for knowledge you’ve acquired through independent study, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships.  CLEP is sponsored by the College Board; additional information about specific exams is available at clep.collegeboard.org.

East Central College administers the CLEP Exam.  If you are interested in taking the exam, please contact the Testing Center at 636-584-6124.  An information sheet about testing is also available here.

If a student is interested in obtaining credit from East Central College, an official transcript of scores should be sent to the Registrar’s office for evaluation.  Please note that credit will not be given for CLEP exams if the student has college credit for the equivalent course.

Please see the chart below for CLEP Exams that will be considered for credit at East Central College.

*U.S. History:  HST 100/PSC 100 course required in addition to CLEP to meet US and Missouri Constitution requirement

**Intro to Educational Psychology:  Contact Education Division for observation hours for ED 2413 credit

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

High school students participating in the College Board Advanced Placement Program may be eligible for college credit if they make satisfactory scores on the Advanced Placement exam.  The test is administered by participating high schools.  If a student is interested in obtaining credit from East Central College, an official transcript of scores should be sent to the Registrar’s office for evaluation.   Scores of three or higher will be considered for college credit.

Please see the chart below for AP Exams that will be considered for credit at East Central College.

*U.S. History:  HSC 100/PSC 100 course required in addition to AP test to meet US and Missouri Constitution requirement if student’s high school was out of state.

DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)

The nationally recognized DSST Program allows you to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom perhaps from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study.  If you would like to get additional information about the exams or testing sites, please go to their website at https://www.getcollegecredit.com/.

If a student is interested in obtaining credit from East Central College, an official transcript of scores should be sent to the Registrar’s office for evaluation.  Please note that credit will not be given for DSST exams if the student has college credit for the equivalent course.

Please see the chart below for DSST Exams that will be considered for credit at East Central College.

Project Lead The Way

Students who completed Project Lead the Way in high school may be eligible for credit at no charge. The ECC PLTW credit form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Industry Recognized Certifications

Departmental Examination

Students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency within a subject area may petition the academic discipline or program faculty for credit by examination or review. If this petition is approved, discipline or program faculty would prepare an appropriate measure (test or other instruments) of proficiency and establish with the student guidelines for passing. Upon completion of the examination, the student and faculty member will complete and sign a Recommendation for Credit by Departmental Examination and forward it to the Vice President of Instruction for approval. Posting Fee:  Students will be assessed a fee to post Departmental  Examinations.  The fee is equivalent to one credit hour of in-district tuition at ECC.  The student will receive correspondence from the Registrar’s office once appropriate documentation (official transcript, score report, faculty recommendation) has been reviewed.  Credits will be posted to the transcript upon notification of payment from Financial Services.

Questions?—Contact Information

If you have any questions about receiving credit by examination, please see your academic advisor or contact the Associate Registrar at 636-584-6553.