BSU accepts 20 CLEP® exams for transferable college credit. Here's every exam, its minimum required score, and credit hours awarded — plus the other credit-by-exam and prior-learning pathways available at this university.
5401 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.20 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 45 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 51 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 46 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| English Literature | 46 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 46 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Psychology | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Sociology | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 44 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 41 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 46 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 47 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Algebra | 46 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 39 | 6 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 45 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 45 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
BSU is recognized on acenet.edu as an ACE-aligned institution. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept ACE-recommended coursework toward degree requirements. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the BSU Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.
Most students pass their CLEP® on the first try. If you don't, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — with a retake-able final exam. Either route earns you transferable credit at BSU.
Self-paced courses across the full gen-ed and major-requirement catalog. Each carries an official ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation — submitted to the Registrar like any transcript.
BSU is an ACE-aligned institution per acenet.edu. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm before enrolling.
BSU's minimum CLEP® scores run 39 – 51. Generic flashcard apps aim for "passing." We're built for acing.
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We're credit-by-exam prep provider and offer ACE/NCCRS coursework via our partners — both pathways produce official records that feed into BSU's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
5401 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar9068Three legitimate ways to earn BSU credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
Bowie State University is a public historically Black university in Bowie, Maryland, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is part of the University System of Maryland and serves undergraduate and graduate students on its main campus in Prince George's County. The university is one of the oldest historically Black institutions in the United States.
Bowie State offers a broad mix of undergraduate and graduate study across fields such as education, business, computer science, nursing, social work, and the liberal arts. The university is known for serving a diverse student body and for programs that connect classroom learning with professional preparation. It also has a long-standing reputation as an HBCU with a strong focus on access and student support.
For credit by examination, Bowie State participates in the College-Level Examination Program, so students may be able to earn credit for qualifying CLEP scores according to university policy. As with most institutions, acceptance of CLEP credit depends on the exam, the score earned, and how the credit fits the student's degree requirements. Transfer credit policies can also vary by course and program.
Credit evaluation at Bowie State is handled through the university's registrar and academic records processes. Students seeking transfer or exam-based credit should submit official score reports or transcripts for review, and the university determines how credits apply to a specific degree plan. Because policies can change, students should confirm current requirements with the registrar or academic advising office before relying on prior credit decisions.
5401 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.One subscription. 25+ CLEP® subjects for prep. 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses via partner. Pass-or-pivot safety net. Start your trial today.
TransferCredit.org is an independent education service, not affiliated with or endorsed by Bowie State University. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board. DSST is a registered trademark of Prometric. Credit policy facts verified at time of writing; always confirm current policy with the Registrar.