Verified · Credit Policy

Olivet Nazarene University CLEP® Credit Policy

ONU accepts 31 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® · 31 ExamsNCCRS Member
How It Works

3 steps to earn
ONU 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 ONU's CLEP® code 1596 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.
Credit posts to your transcript
Most students see credit on their ONU transcript within 2–4 weeks of exam transmission. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
Olivet Nazarene University accepts.

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

Business

4 exams · up to 13 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Financial Accounting534Start prep →
Introductory Business Law553Start prep →
Principles of Management533Start prep →
Principles of Marketing543Start prep →

Composition and Literature

4 exams · up to 15 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Literature543Start prep →
College Composition553Start prep →
English Literature543Start prep →
Humanities526Start prep →

History and Social Sciences

11 exams · up to 33 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Government533Start prep →
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877533Start prep →
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present533Start prep →
Human Growth and Development553Start prep →
Introductory Psychology553Start prep →
Introductory Sociology543Start prep →
Principles of Macroeconomics543Start prep →
Principles of Microeconomics543Start prep →
Social Sciences and History543Start prep →
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648543Start prep →
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present533Start prep →

Science and Mathematics

7 exams · up to 24 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Biology523Start prep →
Calculus544Start prep →
Chemistry524Start prep →
College Algebra533Start prep →
College Mathematics603Start prep →
Natural Sciences523Start prep →
Precalculus554Start prep →

World Languages

5 exams · up to 52 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
French Language Level I518Start prep →
French Language Level II6314Start prep →
German Language Level I508Start prep →
Spanish Language Level I518Start prep →
Spanish Language Level II6014Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with Olivet Nazarene University's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
Beyond CLEP®

ONU is an
NCCRS member institution.

ONU is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org. CLEP® isn't the only way to earn credit here — as an NCCRS member, ONU 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.

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 · ONU 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. ONU 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 ONU.

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 ONU.

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.

NCCRS courses ONU 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.

ONU is an NCCRS member institution per nationalccrs.org. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm 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
ONU's bar.

ONU's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 63. 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

D
Dante R.
CLEP® Analyzing Literature
★★★★★
Not a lit person. Struggled with poetry interpretation specifically. Prep material had analysis frameworks that unlocked it. Passed at 55.
A
Aurora K.
CLEP® American Government
★★★★★
Poli-sci sophomore. This exam is basically AP Gov on mild steroids. Well-prepared because of the structured chapter review. Scored 74.
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.
R
Roman P.
CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ junkie. Podcast listener. This exam was fun. Scored a 72. Credit posted two weeks after the test. Smooth process end to end.
R
Ronan F.
CLEP® Chemistry
★★★★★
Pre-pharmacy track. Chemistry was do-or-die. Studied 8 weeks hard. Got a 60. Barely passed but the credit is the same either way.
M
Mila R.
CLEP® French Level II
★★★★★
Grew up bilingual. Exam was trivially easy for me but still had to prep on grammar terminology. 6 credits in a single sitting.
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.
M
Miles A.
CLEP® Biology
★★★★★
Pre-med. Needed to prove out of intro bio. Exam was dense but fair. Subscription's practice questions actually prepared me well.
D
Dante R.
CLEP® Analyzing Literature
★★★★★
Not a lit person. Struggled with poetry interpretation specifically. Prep material had analysis frameworks that unlocked it. Passed at 55.
A
Aurora K.
CLEP® American Government
★★★★★
Poli-sci sophomore. This exam is basically AP Gov on mild steroids. Well-prepared because of the structured chapter review. Scored 74.
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.
R
Roman P.
CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ junkie. Podcast listener. This exam was fun. Scored a 72. Credit posted two weeks after the test. Smooth process end to end.
R
Ronan F.
CLEP® Chemistry
★★★★★
Pre-pharmacy track. Chemistry was do-or-die. Studied 8 weeks hard. Got a 60. Barely passed but the credit is the same either way.
M
Mila R.
CLEP® French Level II
★★★★★
Grew up bilingual. Exam was trivially easy for me but still had to prep on grammar terminology. 6 credits in a single sitting.
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.
M
Miles A.
CLEP® Biology
★★★★★
Pre-med. Needed to prove out of intro bio. Exam was dense but fair. Subscription's practice questions actually prepared me well.
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 ONU'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 ONU

  • CLEP® path: Enter ONU's code 1596 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 ONU 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
ONU acceptsYes · 31 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
ONU 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
ONU acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
About Olivet Nazarene University

ONU
in brief.

Olivet Nazarene University is a private Christian university in Bourbonnais, Illinois, in the United States. It is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and serves students in a residential university setting south of Chicago. The university emphasizes faith-based higher education and a campus community centered on Christian values.

Olivet offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a range of fields, including arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, and ministry-related studies. The university is known for combining liberal arts learning with professional preparation and faith integration. Students can pursue both traditional campus-based study and selected online or graduate options.

For CLEP and transfer credit purposes, Olivet Nazarene University is a private university that evaluates prior learning through its own academic policies rather than automatically accepting all external credit. Students seeking CLEP or transfer credit should expect the university to review scores, course equivalencies, and degree applicability before credit is posted. Because policies can change and may differ by program, applicants should confirm current requirements with the university before testing or transferring coursework.

Credit evaluation and registration at Olivet are handled through the university's academic and registrar processes. As with most universities, official transcripts, approved exam scores, and other supporting records are typically required before credit can be applied to a student record. Students should work with the registrar or academic advising staff to understand how transfer, exam, and prior-learning credit will count toward their specific degree plan.

31
CLEP® Exams Accepted
2
Credit Pathways
137
Max CLEP® Credits
Quick Highlights
  • Christian university affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene
  • Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois with a residential campus environment
  • Offers undergraduate and graduate study across multiple academic areas
  • Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
  • Transfer and exam credit are evaluated through university academic policies
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does Olivet Nazarene University accept?
Olivet Nazarene University accepts 31 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 ONU require?
ONU requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 50 – 63 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to Olivet Nazarene University?
Enter ONU's institution code 1596 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my ONU degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does ONU accept DSST exams?
DSST acceptance at ONU is not confirmed in our dataset. Contact the Registrar for current policy.
Is ONU an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. ONU is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at ONU?
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 (4 exams)
Does ONU accept CLEP® Financial Accounting?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Financial Accounting exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Introductory Business Law?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Business Law exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Principles of Management?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Management exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Principles of Marketing?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Marketing exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
CLEP® exam details — Composition and Literature (4 exams)
Does ONU accept CLEP® American Literature?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® American Literature exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® College Composition?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® College Composition exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does ONU accept CLEP® English Literature?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® English Literature exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Humanities?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Humanities exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 52.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (11 exams)
Does ONU accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Human Growth and Development?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Human Growth and Development exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Introductory Psychology?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Introductory Sociology?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Introductory Sociology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Social Sciences and History?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Social Sciences and History exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
CLEP® exam details — Science and Mathematics (7 exams)
Does ONU accept CLEP® Biology?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Biology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 52.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Calculus?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Calculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 52.
Does ONU accept CLEP® College Algebra?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® College Algebra exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 53.
Does ONU accept CLEP® College Mathematics?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® College Mathematics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Natural Sciences?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Natural Sciences exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 52.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Precalculus?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Precalculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
CLEP® exam details — World Languages (5 exams)
Does ONU accept CLEP® French Language Level I?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® French Language Level I exam for 8 college credits, with a minimum required score of 51.
Does ONU accept CLEP® French Language Level II?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® French Language Level II exam for 14 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Does ONU accept CLEP® German Language Level I?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® German Language Level I exam for 8 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level I?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level I exam for 8 college credits, with a minimum required score of 51.
Does ONU accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level II?
Yes. ONU accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level II exam for 14 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Start Today

Your ONU 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 Olivet Nazarene 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.