Verified · Credit Policy

Missouri State University CLEP® Credit Policy

MSU accepts 7 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® · 7 ExamsDSST Accepted
How It Works

3 steps to earn
MSU 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.
Sit the CLEP® or DSST exam
90-minute exam at any test center. Enter MSU's CLEP® code 6665 — or DSST code 8809 — at registration so scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.
Credit posts to your transcript
Most students see credit on their MSU transcript within 2–4 weeks of exam transmission. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
Missouri State University accepts.

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

Composition and Literature

2 exams · up to 6 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Literature503Start prep →
College Composition503Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with Missouri State University's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
Beyond CLEP®

ACE & NCCRS coursework
may still be considered.

MSU is not currently listed as an ACE-aligned or NCCRS member institution in our dataset. However, ACE- and NCCRS-recommended credits are accepted by a large number of U.S. colleges under prior-learning-assessment (PLA) policies, and acceptance is institution-specific. Before enrolling in an ACE or NCCRS course for credit transfer, confirm with the MSU Registrar whether it will accept the specific course toward your degree.

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
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. Member institutions accept NCCRS-recommended coursework directly; non-member institutions often consider NCCRS coursework under their prior-learning policy. Either way, acceptance means 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 MSU.

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 MSU.

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 MSU may consider

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.

MSU is not currently listed as an ACE-aligned or NCCRS member in our dataset, but ACE and NCCRS credits are accepted by a wide range of U.S. institutions under prior-learning-assessment policy. Acceptance is institution-specific — confirm with the Registrar before enrolling in any course intended for credit transfer.

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
MSU's bar.

MSU's minimum CLEP® scores run 47 – 54. 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

I
Iris D.
NCCRS · Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ blog reader for years. NCCRS course made me formalize the vocabulary. Final went smoothly. Credit appeared on transcript two weeks later.
G
Gabriel T.
CLEP® Precalculus
★★★★★
Engineering major, needed precalc out of the way. Studied two weekends. Exam was focused on stuff I already knew from trig. Easy win.
R
Rodrigo V.
CLEP® Spanish Level II · Veteran
★★★★★
Native speaker but never took college Spanish. Got 6 credits for a 90-min exam. That's basically a full course.
J
Jasper H.
CLEP® Humanities
★★★★★
Broadest exam I've taken. Art, music, philosophy, lit — all one test. Prep material covered it methodically. Passed with margin.
B
Ben Z.
CLEP® Financial Accounting · CPA track
★★★★★
CPA candidate. Needed the accounting prereq. Exam was tough but subscription's 500+ questions actually prepared me. Scored 74.
L
Lily G.
CLEP® + DSST combo
★★★★★
Mixed CLEP and DSST for different reqs. Both accepted at my school. Prep tools were equally solid for either exam type.
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.
E
Elena R.
ACE · Globalization & Intl Management
★★★★★
Future international consultant. Material was actually intellectually interesting. ACE self-paced format let me go deep on topics I loved.
I
Iris D.
NCCRS · Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ blog reader for years. NCCRS course made me formalize the vocabulary. Final went smoothly. Credit appeared on transcript two weeks later.
G
Gabriel T.
CLEP® Precalculus
★★★★★
Engineering major, needed precalc out of the way. Studied two weekends. Exam was focused on stuff I already knew from trig. Easy win.
R
Rodrigo V.
CLEP® Spanish Level II · Veteran
★★★★★
Native speaker but never took college Spanish. Got 6 credits for a 90-min exam. That's basically a full course.
J
Jasper H.
CLEP® Humanities
★★★★★
Broadest exam I've taken. Art, music, philosophy, lit — all one test. Prep material covered it methodically. Passed with margin.
B
Ben Z.
CLEP® Financial Accounting · CPA track
★★★★★
CPA candidate. Needed the accounting prereq. Exam was tough but subscription's 500+ questions actually prepared me. Scored 74.
L
Lily G.
CLEP® + DSST combo
★★★★★
Mixed CLEP and DSST for different reqs. Both accepted at my school. Prep tools were equally solid for either exam type.
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.
E
Elena R.
ACE · Globalization & Intl Management
★★★★★
Future international consultant. Material was actually intellectually interesting. ACE self-paced format let me go deep on topics I loved.
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 MSU'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 MSU

  • CLEP® path: Enter MSU's code 6665 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar
  • DSST path: Same mechanism using DSST code 8809
  • 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®, DSST, ACE/NCCRS,
or community college?

Four legitimate ways to earn MSU 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
MSU acceptsYes · 7 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
MSU acceptsYes · code 8809
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
MSU acceptsMay accept (confirm)
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
MSU acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
🎖
Second Exam Pathway
MSU accepts DSST exams too
Beyond CLEP®, MSU is a DSST credit-granting institution (DSST code 8809). 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.
About Missouri State University

MSU
in brief.

Missouri State University is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, with additional presence in the Ozarks region through its outreach and campus activities. It is one of the major public institutions in southwest Missouri and serves a large undergraduate and graduate population. The university is known for offering a broad campus experience in a mid-sized city setting.

Missouri State offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across fields such as business, education, health and human services, the arts, humanities, and sciences. The university is also known for applied learning, teacher preparation, and programs that support regional workforce needs. Students can pursue both traditional academic majors and career-oriented pathways.

For CLEP and transfer credit, Missouri State University evaluates prior learning and external coursework through its academic credit policies. Credit-by-exam options such as CLEP are commonly used by students who want to demonstrate subject mastery and potentially reduce the number of courses needed for a degree. Acceptance of specific exams and scores depends on university policy and the student’s program of study.

Credit evaluation at Missouri State is handled through the university’s registrar and academic records processes, with final decisions typically tied to course equivalencies, degree requirements, and residency rules. Students should consult official transfer and exam-credit guidelines before relying on outside credits for graduation planning. As with most universities, applicability of transferred or exam-based credit can vary by major, department, and catalog year.

7
CLEP® Exams Accepted
150+
Degree Programs
2
Credit Pathways
21
Max CLEP® Credits
Quick Highlights
  • Public university serving Springfield and the southwest Missouri region
  • Broad academic offerings across undergraduate, graduate, and professional study
  • Transfer and exam credit policies that support prior learning evaluation
  • Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
  • Applied learning focus with programs tied to regional workforce needs
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does Missouri State University accept?
Missouri State University accepts 7 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 MSU require?
MSU requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 47 – 54 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to Missouri State University?
Enter MSU's institution code 6665 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my MSU degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does MSU accept DSST exams?
Yes. MSU is a DSST credit-awarding institution with DSST code 8809.
Is MSU an NCCRS member institution?
MSU is not currently listed as an NCCRS member. NCCRS-recommended coursework may still be considered under the Registrar's prior-learning policy — confirm first.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at MSU?
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 — Composition and Literature (2 exams)
Does MSU accept CLEP® American Literature?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® American Literature exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does MSU accept CLEP® College Composition?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® College Composition exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (5 exams)
Does MSU accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 47.
Does MSU accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does MSU accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does MSU accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does MSU accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. MSU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Start Today

Your MSU 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 Missouri 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.