Examination Policy

Eligibility

I. Student Eligibility

All undergraduate matriculated students accepted or currently enrolled at Kean University are eligible to take CLEP examinations provided they meet specific criteria below.

II. Examination Eligibility 

A. UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS IN SPECIFIC SUBJECT CONTENT AREAS

All enrolled students who have earned 86 semester hours of credit or fewer at Kean University, including transfer credits, may take examinations in the subject areas as per the Kean University regulations for these exams which follow below: 

1. The program will enable students to earn up to a maximum of 16 semester hours.
2. Satisfactory completion will be interpreted to mean a score that is 50 or above.  Foreign Languages examinations require the four-semester level score. Please review Kean University's CLEP Course Equivalencies for appropriate passing scores.
3. Twenty-eight (28) Examinations in specific subject areas are approved for credit at Kean University. Specific course/area equivalencies and minimum scores required can be found in each academic department and Dean’s offices. 
4. Credits may be granted in major, additional requirements (previously known as cognate courses), and Collateral Program areas with departmental approval. Students need to be approved by the Chairperson or Executive Director of their Major Department or school before registering to take an examination. 
5. No credit is granted for any CLEP composition examination without an essay or for the Freshman English Composition (ENG-1030).

B. UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS IN GENERAL CONTENT AREAS (FIVE EXAMS)

Students who have not completed more than 30 semester hours, including credits transferred from other institutions, may take the following five tests: College Composition (essay option only), Humanities, College Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and History.  Kean University regulations for examinations testing general content areas follow below. 

1. The program will enable students to earn up to 15 semester hours of credit provided that the scores on each of the General Content Area Exams are at a score of 50 or above. 
2. General Education courses specifically required by departments and those listed as Additional Requirements (previously known as cognates) may not be completed through CLEP examinations without the written approval of the Department Executive Director or Chairperson.
Credit may be obtained in one or more of the following five areas:

*Note: Only the General Content area examination English Composition with Essay is acceptable for English Composition credit.

3. Should a student choose to take the Humanities and/or Social Sciences and History examination(s), credits earned will be posted as General Humanities and/or General Social Sciences and will not fulfill specific course requirements.

OVERALL REGULATIONS

1. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and adhere to all regulations regarding CLEP.
2. Matriculated students should obtain an Advisor’s approval prior to registering to take any CLEP examination.
3. CLEP credit shall not be awarded and will be rescinded if course duplication and/or equivalency exists.
4. CLEP credit shall not be computed for honors or in a student’s cumulative grade-point average. 
5. No grades are recorded on a transcript for credits earned through CLEP.
6. Acceptable scores for credits indicate performance at a “C” level; CLEP credit will not fulfill a requirement that needs to be completed with a grade higher than “C”. 
7. An unsatisfactory CLEP test will not be recorded on the student’s permanent record.