Test out of classes to get closer to your degree at UMGC.
Getting a head start at UMGC Europe could be as easy as passing approved examinations and earning college credit. You can earn credits toward your Associate of Arts degree or bachelor's degree via credit by exam. You can earn these credits as long as there is no duplication of academic credit and your scores meet UMGC standards.
Exam Information
See below for information on equivalencies and other information for obtaining credit by exam.
Our national test centers offer computer-based College Level Examination Program, or CLEP, exams. CLEP study guides are available online through the College Board. The UMGC code number is 5804. You must enter this number on your exam material if you want your score sent to UMGC.
CLEP information is subject to change without notice. All CLEP General Examinations are considered lower level.
| CLEP EXAM TITLE | ACE RECOMMENDED PASSING SCORE | CREDITS | UMGC EQUIVALENT COURSE OR SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | 3 | GVPT 170 |
| American Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 221 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 | Literature (Arts and Humanities GER) |
| Biology* | 50 | 6 | BIOL 101 (3); Biology (non-lab) (3) |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | MATH 140 |
| Chemistry* | 50 | 6 | CHEM 103 (3); CHEM 113 (3) (non-lab) |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | MATH 107 |
| College Composition‡ | 50 | 6 | Communications GER (3); Elective (3) |
| College Composition Modular‡ | 50 | 3 | Communications GER |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 6 | MATH 106 (Mathematics GER for most degrees) (3); Elective (3) |
| English Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 211 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 | ACCT 220 |
| French Language (Level 1)† | 50 | 6 | FREN 111 (3); FREN 112 (3) |
| French Language (Level 2)† | 59 | 9 | FREN 111 (3); FREN 112 (3); FREN 211 (3) |
| German Language (Level 1)† | 50 | 6 | GERM 111 (3); GERM 112 (3) |
| German Language (Level 2)† | 60 | 9 | GERM 111 (3); GERM 112 (3); GERM 211 (3) |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | HIST 156 |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 157 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | PSYC 351 (lower level credit only) |
| Humanities | 50 | 3 | ARTH 100 |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | IFSM 201 |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSYC 442 (lower level credit only) |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | BMGT 380 (lower level credit only) |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSYC 100 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | SOCY 100 |
| Natural Sciences* | 50 | 6 | NSCI 100 (3); BIOL 101 (3) |
| Precalculus | 50 | 3 | MATH 108 or MATH 115 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 201 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | BMGT 364 (lower level credit only) |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | MRKT 310 (lower level credit only) |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 203 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 6 | Social Sciences GER (3); History GER (3) |
| Spanish Language (Level 1)† | 50 | 6 | SPAN 111 (3); SPAN 112 (3) |
| Spanish Language (Level 2)† | 63 | 9 | SPAN 111 (3); SPAN 112 (3); SPAN 211 (3) |
| Spanish with Writing (Level 1)† | 50 | 6 | SPAN 111 (3); SPAN 112 (3) |
| Spanish with Writing (Level 2)† | 65 | 12 | SPAN 111 (3); SPAN 112 (3); SPAN 211 (3); Spanish Electives (3) |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | HIST 141 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 142 |
GER = General Education Requirements
* Science exams are for non-lab credit only
† Credits may differ for students educated in these languages
‡ No more than 3 credits of writing may be earned through credit by examination for UMGC degrees
Notes About CLEP Exams
- No more than 3 semester hours of writing credit may be earned through credit-by-examination. Generally CLEP Composition exams may not be taken for credit by students who have completed a higher-numbered English writing course.
- Educational Testing Services requires a three-month waiting period before retaking a test.
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support funds CLEP and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests exams (one attempt per title). Military funding is no longer available for retesting
The nationally recognized DSST program, formerly known as DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, allows you to earn college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. The UMGC code number is 9357. You must enter this number on your exam material if you want your score sent to UMGC.
Please note: Active-duty military personnel may apply for and take DSST exams without charge at the education office of their respective military installations if taking an exam for the first time. Military funding is no longer available for retesting.
DSST information is subject to change without notice. To see which exams fulfill your degree requirements, please check with a UMGC Europe academic advisor.
| DSST EXAM TITLE | CREDITS | UMGC EQUIVALENT COURSE OR SUBJECT | AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE) EXPIRATION DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| A History of the Vietnam War | 3 | HIST 381 (lower level credit only) | 31 July 2023 |
| Art of the Western World | 3 | Arts & humanities GER ( ARTH) | 31 July 2023 |
| Astronomy† | 3 | ASTR 100 | 31 July 2023 |
| Business Ethics and Society | 3 | BMGT 496 (lower level credit only) | 30 November 2026 |
| Business Mathematics | 3 | Elective | 30 November 2026 |
| Computing and Information Technology | 3 | IFSM 201 | 31 July 2024 |
| Criminal Justice | 3 | CCJS 100 | 30 November 2026 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | NSCI 362 (lower level credit only)+ | 30 November 2026 |
| Ethics in America | 3 | PHIL 140 | 31 October 2025 |
| Ethics in Technology | 3 | IFSM 304 (lower level credit only) | 31 May 2023 |
| Foundations of Education | 3 | Elective | 31 July 2023 |
| Fundamentals of College Algebra | 3 | MATH 107 | 30 November 2026 |
| Fundamentals of Counseling | 3 | PSYC 432 | 30 November 2026 |
| Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 | CMIT 320 | 30 November 2026 |
| General Anthropology | 3 | Behavioral & social sciences GER (ANTH) | 31 October 2025 |
| Health and Human Development | 3 | Elective | 31 July 2024 |
| History of the Soviet Union | 3 | HIST 448 (lower level credit only) | 31 October 2025 |
| Human Resource Management | 3 | HRMN 300 (lower level credit only) | 31 October 2025 |
| Introduction to Business | 3 | BMGT 110 | 31 July 2024 |
| Introduction to Geography | 3 | GEOG 100 | 31 July 2023 |
| Introduction to Geology† | 3 | GEOL 100 | 31 July 2023 |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 | CCJS 100 | 31 July 2023 |
| Introduction to World Religions | 3 | Humanities GER (HUMN) | 31 October 2025 |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 | PSYC 351 | 30 November 2026 |
| Management Information Systems | 3 | IFSM 300 (lower level credit only) | 31 July 2024 |
| Math for Liberal Arts | 3 | MATH 103 | 31 October 2025 |
| Money and Banking | 3 UL* | ECON 430 | 31 October 2025 |
| Organizational Behavior | 3 | BMGT 464 (lower level credit only) | 31 October 2025 |
| Personal Finance | 3 | FINC 321 (lower level credit only) | 31 October 2025 |
| Principles of Advanced English Composition‡ | 3 | Communications GER | 31 October 2025 |
| Principles of Finance | 3 | FINC 330 (lower level credit only) | 30 November 2026 |
| Principles of Public Speaking | 3 UL* | SPCH 100 (upper level credit granted) | 31 July 2023 |
| Principles of Statistics | 3 | STAT 200 | 30 November 2026 |
| Principles of Supervision | 3 | BMGT 364 (lower level credit only) | 31 July 2024 |
| Substance Abuse | 3 | Health elective | 31 July 2024 |
| Technical Writing | 3 | Communications GER (non-writing)* | 30 November 2026 |
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | 3 | HIST 462 (lower level credit only) | 31 July 2023 |
GER = General Education Requirements
* Upper level credit
† Science exams are for non-lab credit only
‡ No more than 3 credits of writing may be earned through credit by examination for UMGC degrees
Pearson VUE testing includes academic, government, health, IT certifications, professional certifications and licensure exams, such as ASMC, Cisco, CompTIA, DSS, Excelsior, GMAT, ISC2, NREMT, PTCB, and much more. We also offer Pearson VUE Computerized GED Exams.
If you are in need of a proctored exam and are not currently enrolled with UMGC, you can have your online internet-based exams officially proctored.
Eligibility Criteria for DANTES-Funded Exams
- Military personnel (active duty, reserve, National Guard): Army, Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army, and Air National Guard.
- Spouses and civilian employees of: Air Force* (civilian employees only), Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Coast Guard (active and reserve).
- Note: Spouses and civilian employees of Air National Guard can no longer receive DANTES funding effective October 15, 2014.
Other Exams
Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced placement College credit may be granted on the basis of scores on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examination. These examinations are normally administered to eligible high school seniors during the May preceding matriculation in college.
A student intending to transfer AP credit that was awarded at another college or similar institution must have a transcript of the original scores sent directly to UMGC from the College Board. When those scores have been received, an evaluator will determine whether they meet the standards established at UMGC for granting AP credit, and how much credit may be awarded.
Cambridge International Examinations
UMGC accepts credits for advanced-level exams taken through Cambridge International Examinations when scores meet UMGC standards. Official transcripts, with scores, must be sent directly to UMGC for review.
Excelsior College Exams
Students may earn credit for successfully completing subject tests offered by Excelsior College. Tests are available in various areas of the arts and sciences, as well as in business. Scores must meet UMGC standards.
International Baccalaureate Exams
If you completed your International Baccalaureate exam before graduating from high school, you could be able to transfer applicable credits to your UMGC degree.
Industry-Specific Certification
If you’ve taken one of several industry-standard certification exams (such as CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco) within the past five years, UMGC could accept your certification for college credit. You'll just need to submit documentation of your certification. See which certifications you can turn into credit.
Course Challenge Exams
After you are a student at UMGC, you can apply for a Course Challenge exam (offered through our Prior Learning program). In this program, you can earn credit by taking the equivalent of the final exam for a UMGC course.
Additional Information
UMGC also accepts credit for professional examinations listed in the American Council on Education Guide to Educational Credit by Examination. We may accept credits by examination awarded by other approved institutions for courses that appear on an official transcript with a grade of C or better. If you have questions about credit by examination, contact an academic advisor.
Limitations for Credit by Exam
Learn about the limitations on credit by exam.
- You can't attempt credit by examination if you are taking an exam for a course which already appears on your transcript.
- If you are pursuing a second bachelor's degree, you can't use standardized examination credit to satisfy the requirement for graduation that courses be taken at UMGC.
- No more than 3 semester hours of writing credit may be earned through credit-by-examination.
UMGC is not responsible for determining students' prior knowledge or preparation for these exams. Approval to take exams does not guarantee award of credit. Other conditions, such as the appropriate score, must be satisfied. All information on credit by exam is subject to change without notice.