Verified · Credit Policy

Christopher Newport University CLEP® Credit Policy

CNU accepts 12 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.

CLEP® · 12 ExamsNCCRS MemberACE Accepted
How It Works

3 steps to earn
CNU credit via CLEP®.

Prep with TransferCredit
Pick your CLEP® subject. Our structured chapters and 500+ practice questions per course take you from zero to exam-ready in 4–8 weeks of part-time study.
Sit the CLEP® exam
90-minute exam at any College Board test center. Enter CNU's CLEP® code 5128 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.
Credit posts to your transcript
Most students see credit on their CNU transcript within 2–4 weeks of exam transmission. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
Christopher Newport University accepts.

12 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.

Business

2 exams · up to 6 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Financial Accounting503Start prep →
Information Systems503Start prep →

History and Social Sciences

4 exams · up to 12 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Government503Start prep →
Introductory Sociology503Start prep →
Principles of Macroeconomics503Start prep →
Principles of Microeconomics503Start prep →

Science and Mathematics

6 exams · up to 25 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Biology506Start prep →
Calculus504Start prep →
Chemistry506Start prep →
College Algebra503Start prep →
College Mathematics503Start prep →
Precalculus503Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with Christopher Newport University's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
Beyond CLEP®

CNU is both an ACE-aligned
and NCCRS member institution.

CNU is listed as an NCCRS member on nationalccrs.org and recognized on acenet.edu. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept both ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended coursework — three complementary pathways to your degree. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the CNU Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.

ACE · American Council on Education
ACE Credit
ACE evaluates non-traditional learning — corporate training, workforce programs, credit-by-exam — and recommends equivalent college credit. CLEP® exams themselves are ACE-reviewed. Colleges that are ACE-aligned often accept ACE coursework in addition to CLEP®.
Source: acenet.edu
NCCRS · CNU is a Member
NCCRS Credit
The National College Credit Recommendation Service, administered by the University of the State of New York, reviews non-collegiate coursework and assigns college-equivalent credit. CNU is a listed NCCRS member, meaning NCCRS-recommended self-paced courses may count toward degree requirements.
Source: nationalccrs.org
How Your Credit Path Works

Two ways to earn credit.
Both count at CNU.

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 CNU.

Watch how it works
📝
Step 1
Take your CLEP®
exam
Prep with chapters & 500+ questions
Outcome
Awaiting
result
Most students pass first try
🎟️
Safety Net
ACE/NCCRS
included
Self-paced · retake-able exam
Ready. Pass or not — you're covered.

ACE & NCCRS courses CNU may accept

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.

CNU is both an ACE-aligned institution (per acenet.edu) and an NCCRS member (per nationalccrs.org). Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion under prior-learning policy — confirm with your registrar before enrolling.

Business & Accounting

20 courses · 60 credits
Managerial Accounting 3cr Financial Accounting 3cr Business Essentials 3cr Principles of Management 3cr Foundations of Leadership 3cr Leadership & Organizational Behavior 3cr Business Communication 3cr Business Ethics 3cr Leading Organizational Change 3cr Project Management 3cr Business Law 3cr International Business 3cr Human Resources Management 3cr Globalization & International Mgmt. 3cr Entrepreneurship 3cr Microeconomics 3cr Macroeconomics 3cr Principles of Finance 3cr Financial Management 3cr Principles of Marketing 3cr

English, Writing & Humanities

7 courses · 21 credits
Advanced Technical Writing 3cr English Composition I 3cr English Composition II 3cr College Writing 3cr Humanities 201: Critical Thinking 3cr Art History I 3cr Art History II 3cr

Mathematics

9 courses · 31 credits
Business Math 3cr College Algebra 3cr Pre-Calculus 3cr Calculus 1 4cr Calculus 2 4cr Calculus 3 4cr Discrete Mathematics 4cr Quantitative Analysis 3cr Principles of Statistics 3cr

Computer Science & IT

22 courses · 66 credits
Current Trends in CS & IT 3cr Computer Concepts & Applications 3cr Introduction to HTML & CSS 3cr Introduction to JavaScript 3cr Ethics in Technology 3cr Introduction to Networking 3cr Fundamentals of Information Technology 3cr Introduction to Linux 3cr Introduction to Java 3cr Programming in Python 3cr Introduction to Computing 3cr Programming in C 3cr Programming in C++ 3cr Data Structures & Algorithms 3cr Network & Systems Security 3cr Cybersecurity 3cr Database Fundamentals 3cr Software Engineering 3cr Introduction to Operating Systems 3cr Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3cr Database Programming 3cr Systems Analysis & Design 3cr

Health Sciences

8 courses · 20 credits
Medical Terminology 3cr Healthcare Finance & Budgeting 3cr Healthcare Organization & Management 3cr HR Management in Healthcare 3cr Anatomy & Physiology I 3cr Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 1cr Anatomy & Physiology II 3cr Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1cr

Natural Sciences

5 courses · 13 credits
Introduction to Biology 1 3cr Introduction to Biology 2 3cr Chemistry I 3cr Physics I 3cr Environmental Science 1cr

Psychology & Social Science

11 courses · 33 credits
Introduction to Psychology 3cr Research Methods in Psychology 3cr Psychology of Diversity 3cr Educational Psychology 3cr Abnormal Psychology 3cr Psychology of Personality 3cr Advanced Social Psychology 3cr Ethics in the Social Sciences 3cr Introduction to Sociology 3cr Introduction to Criminology 3cr Principles of Philosophy 3cr

History & Languages

3 courses · 9 credits
U.S. History I 3cr U.S. History II 3cr French Language I 3cr
Why TransferCredit.org

The prep tool built for
CNU's bar.

CNU's minimum CLEP® scores run 50. Generic flashcard apps aim for "passing." We're built for acing.

📖
Structured chapters & subchapters
Not flashcards. Every subject is broken into chapters and subchapters mapped directly to the College Board exam outline — you learn the material, not memorize trivia.
🎯
Readiness quizzes per topic
Short quizzes after each subchapter. Your readiness score tells you when you're actually ready for the target minimum — no guessing, no wasted exam fees.
500+ questions per course
Every subject ships with 500+ practice questions calibrated to real exam difficulty. Most students hit their target score in 4–8 weeks of part-time prep.
🛡️
ACE/NCCRS backup included
If CLEP® doesn't work out, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS course with a retake-able final exam.
Self-paced, no deadlines
Study on your schedule. Complete prep in 2 weeks or 12 — whatever works. Especially useful for adult learners, military, and working students.
💰
One subscription, every subject
Prep for 25+ CLEP® subjects under one plan. No per-course fees. At ~$29/mo vs. $300–600 per credit — the math is obvious.
Everything You Need

One subscription.
Everything unlocked.

📚
25+
CLEP® Subjects
College Board's most popular exams, covered in depth with official exam-outline alignment.
500+
Questions per course
Exam-calibrated practice tests with detailed explanations for every answer.
🎓
70+
ACE/NCCRS courses
Full catalog via partner — your CLEP® safety net and credit-direct path.
🧑‍🏫
Expert help
Subject-matter experts available when you're stuck on a concept or a question.
Student Reviews

50,000+ students.
Real results.

Hover to pause · updates daily

L
Lauren W.
ACE · Intro to Sociology
★★★★★
Failed the CLEP® by 4 points. Was crushed. Then I saw my subscription had the matching ACE course. Retook the final, passed, credit posted.
L
Luis R.
CLEP® Chemistry
★★★★★
Brutal exam honestly. Studied 6 weeks. Practice problems pushed me hard. Barely passed but that's all I needed. 3 credits earned.
H
Hassan R.
CLEP® Microeconomics
★★★★★
International student, needed to convert transcript credits. CLEP® was by far the fastest path. Two weeks prep, one exam, three credits.
V
Violet O.
CLEP® Introductory Business Law
★★★★★
Business minor needing an elective. Studied contract law + torts hard. Exam was direct — if you know the concepts, you pass. I passed.
L
Leo N.
ACE · English Composition I
★★★★★
Writer by trade but never got the required college comp course. Took the ACE instead of CLEP — more my style. Essays graded fairly.
A
Atlas K.
ACE · Project Management
★★★★★
Program manager at a tech company. ACE course was more comprehensive than any PMP prep I've done. Learned something new. Credit earned.
L
Liam P.
CLEP® History of U.S. II
★★★★★
Post-Civil War to present. Lots of memorization. Chapter-based study guide organized it chronologically which helped enormously. Passed.
O
Otto B.
CLEP® German Level II
★★★★★
Studied abroad in Berlin, never took formal college German. Prep content tested my real fluency. Got a 74. 9 credits. That math is insane.
L
Lauren W.
ACE · Intro to Sociology
★★★★★
Failed the CLEP® by 4 points. Was crushed. Then I saw my subscription had the matching ACE course. Retook the final, passed, credit posted.
L
Luis R.
CLEP® Chemistry
★★★★★
Brutal exam honestly. Studied 6 weeks. Practice problems pushed me hard. Barely passed but that's all I needed. 3 credits earned.
H
Hassan R.
CLEP® Microeconomics
★★★★★
International student, needed to convert transcript credits. CLEP® was by far the fastest path. Two weeks prep, one exam, three credits.
V
Violet O.
CLEP® Introductory Business Law
★★★★★
Business minor needing an elective. Studied contract law + torts hard. Exam was direct — if you know the concepts, you pass. I passed.
L
Leo N.
ACE · English Composition I
★★★★★
Writer by trade but never got the required college comp course. Took the ACE instead of CLEP — more my style. Essays graded fairly.
A
Atlas K.
ACE · Project Management
★★★★★
Program manager at a tech company. ACE course was more comprehensive than any PMP prep I've done. Learned something new. Credit earned.
L
Liam P.
CLEP® History of U.S. II
★★★★★
Post-Civil War to present. Lots of memorization. Chapter-based study guide organized it chronologically which helped enormously. Passed.
O
Otto B.
CLEP® German Level II
★★★★★
Studied abroad in Berlin, never took formal college German. Prep content tested my real fluency. Got a 74. 9 credits. That math is insane.
How TransferCredit.org Works

The policy,
in plain English.

We're credit-by-exam prep provider and offer ACE/NCCRS coursework via our partners — both pathways produce official records that feed into CNU's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.

The Product

What you get with TransferCredit

  • Structured prep content for 25+ CLEP® exams — chapters, subchapters, 500+ practice questions per subject
  • Access to 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses via partner network like UPIStudy — self-paced, retake-able final exam, no strict proctoring
  • Readiness tracker that tells you when to book the exam vs. keep prepping
  • Official transcripts issued through ACE Credit Registry (Credly) and NCCRS Official trnascript issued via the provider — same format any U.S. college accepts
  • Pass-or-pivot safety net — a CLEP® setback converts into access to the matching ACE/NCCRS course
The Transfer

How credit reaches CNU

  • CLEP® path: Enter CNU's code 5128 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar
  • DSST path: Same mechanism using DSST code (confirm with Registrar)
  • NCCRS path: Complete the course, we issue an official NCCRS transcript, you submit it to the Registrar
  • Consolidation option: ACE/NCCRS credits can be merged into one transcript via Excelsior University's OneTranscript service
  • Credit typically posts 2–4 weeks after the Registrar receives your score or transcript
Which Pathway For You

CLEP®, ACE/NCCRS,
or community college?

Three legitimate ways to earn CNU credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.

⚡ Fastest
🎯
CLEP® Exam
Format90-min exam
Time to credit4–8 weeks prep
Cost$93 exam + prep
CNU acceptsYes · 12 subjects
RiskSingle high-stakes exam
Best for: Confident test-takers who want fastest turnaround and lowest cost per credit.
📖
ACE/NCCRS Course
FormatSelf-paced + retake-able final
Time to credit2–6 weeks / course
CostIncluded in subscription
CNU acceptsYes · Cooperating College
RiskLow · unlimited retakes
Best for: Students who prefer structured learning over high-stakes exams, or who didn't pass a CLEP® first try.
🏫
Community College
Format15-week semester
Time to credit4–6 months
Cost$300–600 per credit
CNU acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
About Christopher Newport University

CNU
in brief.

Christopher Newport University is a public university in Newport News, Virginia, in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. It is named for Christopher Newport, the English sea captain associated with the founding era of Jamestown. The university serves undergraduate students in a suburban campus setting.

CNU offers a range of undergraduate majors through its liberal arts and sciences curriculum, along with professional and pre-professional study areas. The university is known for emphasizing undergraduate teaching, civic engagement, and leadership development. Its academic profile includes programs across the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, and education.

For transfer and credit-by-exam students, Christopher Newport University evaluates prior college coursework and standardized exam credit according to its published transfer policies. CLEP credit may be accepted when it matches university policy and applicable course equivalencies, but acceptance depends on the specific exam, score, and degree requirements. Students should consult the university's official transfer and credit policies before relying on exam credit.

Credit decisions at CNU are handled through the university's registrar and academic offices, which apply official policies to determine how prior learning fits into a student's degree plan. Transfer credit is typically recorded after official transcripts or score reports are received and reviewed. Students should work with the registrar and their academic advisor to confirm how credits apply toward major, general education, and graduation requirements.

12
CLEP® Exams Accepted
2
Credit Pathways
43
Max CLEP® Credits
Quick Highlights
  • Public university located in Newport News, Virginia
  • Undergraduate-focused institution with a liberal arts and sciences emphasis
  • Transfer and CLEP credit are evaluated through official university policies
  • Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Student-centered learning with an emphasis on leadership and civic engagement
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does Christopher Newport University accept?
Christopher Newport University accepts 12 CLEP® exams for college credit across Business, Composition and Literature, History and Social Sciences, Science and Mathematics, and World Languages.
What minimum CLEP® score does CNU require?
CNU requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 50 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to Christopher Newport University?
Enter CNU's institution code 5128 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my CNU degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does CNU accept DSST exams?
DSST acceptance at CNU is not confirmed in our dataset. Contact the Registrar for current policy.
Is CNU an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. CNU is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at CNU?
Most students prep 4–8 weeks per exam. The CLEP® itself is 90 minutes. Credit typically posts to your transcript 2–4 weeks after transmission.
What if I don't pass my CLEP® exam on the first try?
You can retake CLEP® after 3 months. With a TransferCredit.org subscription, you can also pivot to the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course with retake-able finals.
CLEP® exam details — Business (2 exams)
Does CNU accept CLEP® Financial Accounting?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Financial Accounting exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Information Systems?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Information Systems exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (4 exams)
Does CNU accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Introductory Sociology?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Sociology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — Science and Mathematics (6 exams)
Does CNU accept CLEP® Biology?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Biology exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Calculus?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Calculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® College Algebra?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® College Algebra exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® College Mathematics?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® College Mathematics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does CNU accept CLEP® Precalculus?
Yes. CNU accepts the CLEP® Precalculus exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Start Today

Your CNU credit,
in weeks not semesters.

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 Christopher Newport 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.