Transfer Credit Toward Undergraduate Programs by Examination
City University of Seattle participates in several nationally recognized, standardized testing programs. These exams are designed, monitored, scored and validated by authoritative educational testing agencies and enjoy wide acceptance throughout higher education. A list of the recognized examinations follows.
Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
The AP Exams were designed by the College Entrance Examination Board (College Board) to enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school. They are specifically intended to stimulate both students and teachers to higher achievement and to help eliminate the needless duplication of studies later in college. Exams are available in more than 30 different areas, such as biology, calculus, chemistry, classics, European history and psychology.
AP exams are graded on a five-point scale in which one (1) is the lowest and five (5) is the highest. Students must achieve a score of three (3) or higher to receive credit at City University of Seattle.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Sponsored by the College Board, the CLEP affords students the opportunity to earn lower-division credit in a variety of college subjects, as well as through a series of general examinations that cover broad areas of collegiate education. Preparation for CLEP exams may be based on self-study or prior formal instruction.
Through CLEP exams it is possible to earn up to 90 lower-division credits. City University of Seattle does not accept CLEP exams for upper-division credit, and CLEP exams that duplicate lower-division coursework previously transferred for credit are not accepted. CLEP exams are offered at testing centers across the nation and by special arrangement at military installations around the world. City University of Seattle accepts test scores regardless of where the tests are administered. CLEP sponsors two types of exams—general and subject.
1. CLEP General Examinations
The CLEP General Examinations provide a comprehensive measure of achievement in five basic areas of liberal arts and sciences. Each examination assesses the extent to which the student has mastered general knowledge in the area. City University of Seattle awards credit for these CLEP examinations according to the following standards.
| Area of Study |
Quarter Credits |
Minimum Score |
| English Composition |
9 |
50 |
| Humanities |
9 |
50 |
| College Mathematics |
9 |
50 |
| Natural Sciences |
9 |
50 |
| Social Science & History |
9 |
50 |
General exams are multiple-choice and each has a 90-minute time limit. If all five sections are passed with a satisfactory score, it is possible to obtain up to 45 quarter credits, equivalent to one full year of college study.
2. CLEP Subject Examinations
The CLEP Subject Examinations measure achievement in specific undergraduate courses common to U.S. institutions of higher education. Subject exams stress understanding, the ability to perceive relationships, and the student’s grasp of principles, concepts and factual materials in individual subjects.
Subject Examinations consist of multiple-choice questions covering more than 30 college-level subjects. To receive credit at City University of Seattle for these exams, students must earn at least the minimum score recommended by the ACE Guide. The awarding of City University of Seattle credit follows College Board recommendations.
Excelsior College Examinations (EC Exams)
The battery of EC Exams currently consists of approximately 50 exams designed for the recognition of college-level learning acquired outside the classroom. Formerly administered by ACT-PEP, EC Exams are now administered via computer at Prometric Testing Centers in the U.S., Canada, and the U.S. Territories. The tests are also administered worldwide in paper and pencil format through an agreement with the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program.
The tests are composed of multiple-choice, essay, and mixed-format items. EC Exams are available in many areas of the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. Scoring is designed to estimate the level of student knowledge of the subject matter.
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
The DANTES program administers most of the educational support activities originally undertaken by the U.S. Armed Forces Institute on behalf of the Department of Defense, including testing programs through which college credit may be earned. City University of Seattle awards credit for the following DANTES examinations.
- Subject standardized tests (DSST)
- End-of-course tests
- Subject examinations
Transfer Credit from Thirteenth-Year International Programs
Applicants who hold thirteenth-year credentials, such as the Matura, Abitur, Advanced Levels (A-Levels) as tested through Cambridge International Examinations of Cambridge University, and the International Baccalaureate, may receive transfer credit toward advanced standing. Appropriate thirteenth-year transfer credits may fulfill up to 25 of the 30 required lower-division general education quarter credits for an associate’s degree; and up to 45 of the 55 required lower-division general education quarter credits for a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions to this policy may be made by the school dean.