College Board data · Credit Policy

CLEP Exams at George Mason University

George Mason University accepts 19 CLEP® exams for transferable college credit. See the accepted exams, minimum required scores, and credit hours awarded, along with other credit-by-exam and prior-learning options available at this college.

CLEP® · 19 ExamsDSST AcceptedNCCRS MemberACE Accepted
Start CLEP® Prep → See All 19 Exams
How It Works

3 steps to earn
GMU credit by exam.

Prep with TransferCredit
Pick your CLEP® subject (or prep for a DSST exam). Our structured chapters and 500+ practice questions per course take you from zero to exam-ready in 4–8 weeks of part-time study. Start from GMU's exam list, or with a study guide.
Sit the CLEP® or DSST exam
90-minute exam at any test center. Enter GMU's CLEP® code 5827 — or DSST code 9814 — at registration so scores transmit to the Registrar automatically. Book it on College Board's CLEP® site.
Credit posts to your transcript
Credit goes on your GMU transcript once the Registrar has your score — ask the Registrar how long that takes. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit. Plan which credits count with our Degree Planner.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
George Mason University accepts.

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

Have AP® scores? See AP® credit at George Mason University 

Tick the exams you plan to take We'll add up the credits and what you could save.
Start CLEP® prep →

Estimate: the credit hours at a $390/credit-hour public university average, minus $97 per CLEP® exam and $149 for Lifetime prep. George Mason University decides how many exam credits count toward your degree.

Business

1 exams · up to 3 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Information Systems603Start prep →

Science and Mathematics

1 exams · up to 6 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Chemistry506Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with George Mason University's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
What this is worth

5 exams at George Mason, two ways

George Mason accepts 19 CLEP® exams. Here's what it costs to earn 15 of those credits in a classroom versus by exam.

In the classroom
$5,850
5 courses · about 75 weeks
15 credit hours$390/cr
PaceFixed semester
Books & feesExtra
vs
By CLEP® exam
$634
5 exams · study at your own pace
5 exam fees$485
Lifetime prep access$149
Same 15 creditsScore 50+
That's $5,216 you don't pay — for the same credits.

Based on a $390/credit-hour public university average. Your actual saving depends on George Mason University's tuition and how many exam credits it lets you apply toward your degree.

Monthly
$29/mo
Cancel anytime
Choose →
Most popular
Semester
$69/3 mo
Save 21%
Choose →
Best value
Lifetime
$149
CLEP® + DSST® forever
Choose →
Start prepping for George Mason → Compare all plans

Plan prices cover TransferCredit.org prep only. The CLEP® exam fee (currently $97) is paid to College Board at registration, and test centres may add a sitting fee. Credit awards are always determined by George Mason University — check the policy above before you test.

About the university

About George Mason University

George Mason University is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is the largest public university in Virginia by enrollment and operates additional campuses and learning sites in Northern Virginia. The university serves a large and diverse student body and is known for its strong regional connections.

George Mason offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across many fields. It is especially recognized for programs in public policy, economics, business, engineering, computer science, and the social sciences. As a research university, it emphasizes innovation, interdisciplinary study, and applied learning.

  • Public research university serving the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. region
  • Broad academic offerings across undergraduate, graduate, and professional study
  • Strong in public policy and STEM fields with a research-oriented mission
  • Transfer-friendly approach to evaluating prior college and exam credit
  • Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Transfer credit policy

How Transfer Credits Work at George Mason University

George Mason is generally transfer-friendly and accepts transfer credit from accredited institutions according to university policy. Like many universities, it may also award credit for approved examinations such as CLEP when scores meet institutional requirements. Students should review George Mason's current transfer and credit-by-exam policies for course equivalencies and any program-specific limits.

Students may also have options involving CLEP®, DSST, AP, ACE, or NCCRS credits, depending on GMU's current policies. Not every alternative credit source is automatically accepted, so verify eligibility before completing a course or exam.

Approved credits may count toward general education, major requirements, electives, or other degree requirements depending on the evaluation. George Mason University transfer credits should therefore be reviewed against the specific degree program.

Transfer tip: Check your transfer credit evaluation and compare accepted credits with your George Mason University degree requirements before planning additional coursework.
Beyond CLEP®

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

GMU 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 GMU Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.

ACE · American Council on Education
ACE Credit
ACE evaluates non-traditional learning — including corporate training, workforce programs, and credit-by-exam — and recommends equivalent college credit. CLEP® exams are also ACE-reviewed. Colleges may consider ACE-recommended coursework under their transfer credit or prior-learning policies.
Source: acenet.edu
NCCRS · GMU is a Member
NCCRS Credit
NCCRS reviews non-collegiate coursework and provides college-credit recommendations for eligible learning. GMU is a listed NCCRS member, so NCCRS-recommended self-paced courses may count toward its degree requirements. Acceptance depends on the program and applicable degree requirements.
Source: nationalccrs.org
How Your Credit Path Works

Two ways to earn credit.
One subscription.

If you don't pass your CLEP®, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — with a retake-able final exam. GMU decides which credit it accepts, so check with the Registrar first.

Watch how it works
📝
Step 1
Take your CLEP®
exam
Prep with chapters & 500+ questions
⋯
Outcome
Awaiting
result
Pass, or pivot
🎟️
Safety Net
ACE/NCCRS
included
Self-paced · retake-able exam
Ready. Pass, or pivot to ACE/NCCRS.

ACE & NCCRS courses GMU may accept

Self-paced courses across general education and major requirements may carry an official ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation and can be submitted to the Registrar for transfer credit review.

GMU 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.

Subjects with a link go to the matching CLEP® or DSST study guide on TransferCredit.org.

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
Bundled · Best Value
Get ACE/NCCRS with CLEP® subscription
Includes CLEP® prep + ACE/NCCRS course access via partner network. Pass the exam or earn credit through coursework.
See Plans →
Direct · Finish Fast
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Skip the exam. Enroll in any course, complete the final assessment (with retakes), earn the credit.
See ACE & NCCRS →
Why TransferCredit.org

The prep tool built for
GMU's bar.

GMU's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 66. 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.
🛡️
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

What students
are saying.

Hover to pause

J
Jaxon H.
CLEP® Principles of Marketing
★★★★★
Marketing pro for a decade. Took this just to clear a prereq for grad school. Studied 3 hours the night before. Passed with 71.
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.
E
Emily S.
CLEP® Analyzing Literature
★★★★★
Was terrified of lit exams. The chapter structure broke down every period and movement I needed. Passed with a 62 — above what I needed.
A
Adrian M.
NCCRS · Project Management
★★★★★
PMP certified, still needed academic credit for the degree. NCCRS course was a paperwork exercise more than learning. Finished in 7 days.
A
Aubrey S.
CLEP® Financial Accounting
★★★★★
Business sophomore. Needed to get past intro accounting fast. 3 weeks prep, scored 64. Credit cleared the path to my upper-division courses.
H
Hudson E.
CLEP® Calculus
★★★★★
Math olympiad alum. Exam was almost offensively easy. Still, subscription pricing made it worth getting the 3 credits for basically free.
C
Celeste B.
ACE · Human Resources Management
★★★★★
HR coordinator pursuing upskill. ACE course was genuinely educational — not just credential chasing. Passed with strong understanding.
D
David T.
NCCRS · Business Communication
★★★★★
My university is an NCCRS member so I went this route instead of CLEP®. Finished in under a month. Zero drama.
J
Jaxon H.
CLEP® Principles of Marketing
★★★★★
Marketing pro for a decade. Took this just to clear a prereq for grad school. Studied 3 hours the night before. Passed with 71.
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.
E
Emily S.
CLEP® Analyzing Literature
★★★★★
Was terrified of lit exams. The chapter structure broke down every period and movement I needed. Passed with a 62 — above what I needed.
A
Adrian M.
NCCRS · Project Management
★★★★★
PMP certified, still needed academic credit for the degree. NCCRS course was a paperwork exercise more than learning. Finished in 7 days.
A
Aubrey S.
CLEP® Financial Accounting
★★★★★
Business sophomore. Needed to get past intro accounting fast. 3 weeks prep, scored 64. Credit cleared the path to my upper-division courses.
H
Hudson E.
CLEP® Calculus
★★★★★
Math olympiad alum. Exam was almost offensively easy. Still, subscription pricing made it worth getting the 3 credits for basically free.
C
Celeste B.
ACE · Human Resources Management
★★★★★
HR coordinator pursuing upskill. ACE course was genuinely educational — not just credential chasing. Passed with strong understanding.
D
David T.
NCCRS · Business Communication
★★★★★
My university is an NCCRS member so I went this route instead of CLEP®. Finished in under a month. Zero drama.
How TransferCredit.org Works

The policy,
in plain English.

We're a credit-by-exam prep provider offering ACE/NCCRS coursework through our partners. These pathways provide official records that can be submitted to GMU's Registrar for transfer credit evaluation.

The Product

What you get with TransferCredit

  • Structured CLEP® prep for 25+ exams, with chapters, subchapters, and 500+ practice questions per subject
  • Access to 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses through our partner network — self-paced, flexible, and designed for college credit
  • Readiness tracker to help determine when to book a CLEP® exam or continue preparing
  • Official transcripts through the ACE Credit Registry (Credly) and applicable NCCRS providers for transfer credit evaluation
  • Pass-or-pivot option — a CLEP® setback may provide access to a matching ACE/NCCRS course
The Transfer

How credit reaches GMU

  • CLEP® path: Enter GMU's CLEP® code 5827 during registration so College Board can send your scores for credit evaluation
  • DSST path: Send your DSST score to GMU with DSST code 9814, through its transfer credit process
  • NCCRS path: Complete the course, receive the applicable NCCRS transcript, and submit it to the Registrar
  • Consolidation option: Eligible ACE/NCCRS credits may be combined through transcript services such as Excelsior University's OneTranscript
  • Credit posting: Processing time varies by college and depends on when the Registrar receives and evaluates your transfer credits
Which Pathway For You

CLEP®, DSST, ACE/NCCRS,
or community college?

Four legitimate ways to earn GMU 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$97 exam + prep
GMU acceptsYes · 19 subjects
RiskSingle high-stakes exam
Best for: Confident test-takers who want fastest turnaround and lowest cost per credit.
🎖 Military-friendly
📝
DSST Exam
Format~2-hr exam
Time to credit4–8 weeks prep
Cost$100 exam + prep
GMU acceptsYes · code 9814
RiskSingle exam · free for military
Best for: Covers upper-level & technical subjects CLEP® doesn't. Free for active-duty military via DANTES.
📖
ACE/NCCRS Course
FormatSelf-paced + retake-able final
Time to credit2–6 weeks / course
CostIncluded in subscription
GMU 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
GMU acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
🎖
Second Exam Pathway
GMU accepts DSST exams too
Beyond CLEP®, GMU is a DSST credit-granting institution (DSST code 9814). DSST covers 30+ subjects — including upper-level and technical topics CLEP® doesn't offer, like Business Ethics, Cybersecurity, and Criminal Justice. Exams are free for active-duty military through DANTES. Confirm accepted DSST subjects and minimum scores with the Registrar before scheduling.
Start DSST Prep → Check policy
Helpful Resources

More help with
your GMU credit.

Questions about GMU?
Ask Iris, our AI assistant, about exams, scores and credit, or email our team at team@transfercredit.org.
Ask Iris →
Study guides
A short guide to each CLEP® and DSST exam: what's on it, how it's scored and how to prepare.
See the guides →
Practice tests
See where you stand before you book an exam.
Try a practice test →
Read our blog
Plain-English articles on transfer credit, CLEP®, DSST, ACE and NCCRS.
Read the blog →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does George Mason University accept?
George Mason University accepts 19 CLEP® exams for college credit across Business, History and Social Sciences, Science and Mathematics, and World Languages.
What minimum CLEP® score does GMU require?
GMU requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 50 – 66 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to George Mason University?
Enter GMU's institution code 5827 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my GMU degree?
Each college and program sets its own limit. Ask the GMU Registrar how many exam credits it accepts toward your degree.
Does GMU accept DSST exams?
Yes. GMU is a DSST credit-awarding institution with DSST code 9814.
Is GMU an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. GMU is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at GMU?
Prep time depends on the subject and what you already know. The CLEP® itself is 90 minutes. Credit posts to your transcript once the Registrar has your score — ask GMU how long that takes.
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 (1 exams)
Does GMU accept CLEP® Information Systems?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Information Systems exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (11 exams)
Does GMU accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does GMU accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Human Growth and Development?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Human Growth and Development exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Introductory Psychology?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Introductory Sociology?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Sociology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — Science and Mathematics (1 exams)
Does GMU accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — World Languages (6 exams)
Does GMU accept CLEP® French Language Level I?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® French Language Level I exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® French Language Level II?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® French Language Level II exam for 9 college credits, with a minimum required score of 66.
Does GMU accept CLEP® German Language Level I?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® German Language Level I exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® German Language Level II?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® German Language Level II exam for 9 college credits, with a minimum required score of 66.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level I?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level I exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does GMU accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level II?
Yes. GMU accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level II exam for 9 college credits, with a minimum required score of 66.
Start Today

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in weeks not semesters.

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TransferCredit.org is an independent education service, not affiliated with or endorsed by George Mason University. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board. DSST is a registered trademark of Prometric. Credit policy facts come from College Board's CLEP® policy search at the time of writing; always confirm current policy with the Registrar.