College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students who present satisfactory evidence of having competence or exposure in certain disciplinary areas covered by a required courses may meet the academic requirements by passing a CLEP tests. The following policies apply to the program:

  1. Maximum Credit Limit: Students may apply a maximum of 32 semester hours of CLEP credit toward graduation.

  2. Major-Specific Limits: The maximum number of CLEP subject examination credits that may be applied within a major is determined by the respective academic department.

  3. General Education Requirements: For general education courses, the Academic Policies Committee will determine which courses may be satisfied through CLEP and the amount of credit may be earned.

  4. Minimum Scores: Credit will be granted only if the student achieves the minimum score required by Oakwood University. These minimum scores may be revised based on updates from the (ETS).

  5. Credit and Grading: Students who earn an acceptable CLEP score will receive credit for the equivalent course. A grade of "P" (Pass) will be recorded, but no quality points will be awarded (see grading system). 

  6. Course Repetition Restriction: Once CLEP credit is recorded on the transcript, the student may not repeat the course for a letter grade.

  7. Retake Policy: If a student does not pass a CLEP exam, no entry will appear on the transcript. The same subject exam may be retaken after a three-month waiting period.

  8. Transfer CLEP Credits: CLEP scores earned at other institutions are subject to evaluation and approval by the Registrar’s Office.

  9. Fees: Students taking a CLEP exam at Oakwood University will be charged a fee that covers both the cost of the exam and its administration.

  10. Request Form Requirement: Students must complete and submit an Academic Request form if a course is not listed in the approved list of CLEP courses (below).

The following table lists the CLEP subjects, corresponding courses and minimum scores acceptable by Oakwood University:

CLEP Subject Score Course Equivalent  
American Government 50 PS 211 (3 hours)
American Literature 50 EN 303 (3 hours)
Biology 50 BI 101-102 (6 hours)
Calculus 50 MA 171 (4 hours)
General Chemistry 50 CH 141-142 (6 hours)
College Algebra 50 MA 108 (3 hours)
College Composition 50 EN 111 (3 hours)
College Mathematics 50 MA 101 (3 hours)
English Literature 50 EN 213 (3 hours)
French Language (Level I and II) 50 FR 101-102 (6 hours)
History of the United States I and II 50, 50 HI 211, 212 (6 hours)
CLEP Subject  Score Course Equivalent   
Human Growth and Development 50 FS 355 (3 hours)
Introduction to Educational Psychology* 50 ED 200 (3 hours)
Financial Accounting 50 AC 220 (3 hours)
Introductory Business Law 50 BA 475 (3 hours)
Introductory Psychology 50 PY 101 (3 hours)
Introductory Sociology 50 SO 101 (3 hours)
Precalculus** 50, 50 MA 121-122
or MA 123
(6 hours)
(4 hours)
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 EC 283 (3 hours)
Principles of Microeconomics 50 EC 282 (3 hours)
Principles of Management 50 BA 310 (3 hours)
Principles of Marketing 50 MK 301 (3 hours)
Spanish Language (Level I and II) 50 SP 101-102 (6 hours)
Western Civilization I and II 50, 50 HI 103, 104 (6 hours)

*Not acceptable for education majors.
**Must be MA 121-122 or MA 123 and not both.