NSU accepts 26 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.
6487 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.26 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Chemistry | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Precalculus | 50 | 5 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 57 | 8 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 57 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 40 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 57 | 8 | Start prep → |
NSU is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org. CLEP® isn't the only way to earn credit here — as an NCCRS member, NSU may also award credit for NCCRS-recommended coursework, and its Registrar often considers ACE-recommended coursework under the same prior-learning framework. Acceptance of any specific course is determined by the Registrar; 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 NSU.
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.
NSU is an NCCRS member institution per nationalccrs.org. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm before enrolling.
NSU's minimum CLEP® scores run 40 – 57. 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 NSU's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
6487 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar(confirm with Registrar)Three legitimate ways to earn NSU credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
Northern State University is a public university in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It is part of the South Dakota public higher education system and serves students from the region and beyond. The campus is located in northeastern South Dakota.
Northern State University offers undergraduate and graduate study across a range of academic areas, including liberal arts, business, education, and the sciences. The university is known for its teacher education and for providing a broad public-university curriculum. Students can pursue both traditional campus-based study and applied learning opportunities.
For CLEP and transfer-credit purposes, Northern State University is a public university that accepts transfer coursework subject to institutional review. Credit-by-exam and transfer-credit decisions are typically governed by university policy and the requirements of the student’s program. Students should confirm how any CLEP score or outside credit applies before relying on it toward degree completion.
Credit evaluation at Northern State University is handled through the university’s registrar and academic records processes. Incoming transfer work is generally reviewed for course equivalency, applicability to the degree, and any grade or residency requirements. Because policies can vary by program and by the type of credit, students should consult the registrar or academic advisor for the most current guidance.
6487 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 Northern 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.