Verified · Credit Policy

Tompkins Cortland Community College CLEP® Credit Policy

TC3 accepts 36 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® · 36 ExamsNCCRS Member
How It Works

3 steps to earn
TC3 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 TC3's CLEP® code 2904 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.
Credit posts to your transcript
Most students see credit on their TC3 transcript within 2–4 weeks of exam transmission. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
Tompkins Cortland Community College accepts.

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

Business

5 exams · up to 16 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Financial Accounting504Start prep →
Information Systems503Start prep →
Introductory Business Law503Start prep →
Principles of Management503Start prep →
Principles of Marketing503Start prep →

Composition and Literature

6 exams · up to 27 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Literature506Start prep →
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature503Start prep →
College Composition506Start prep →
College Composition Modular503Start prep →
English Literature506Start prep →
Humanities503Start prep →

History and Social Sciences

12 exams · up to 36 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Government503Start prep →
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877503Start prep →
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present503Start prep →
Human Growth and Development503Start prep →
Introduction to Educational Psychology503Start prep →
Introductory Psychology503Start prep →
Introductory Sociology503Start prep →
Principles of Macroeconomics503Start prep →
Principles of Microeconomics503Start prep →
Social Sciences and History503Start prep →
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648503Start prep →
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present503Start prep →

Science and Mathematics

7 exams · up to 34 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Biology508Start prep →
Calculus504Start prep →
Chemistry508Start prep →
College Algebra504Start prep →
College Mathematics503Start prep →
Natural Sciences503Start prep →
Precalculus504Start prep →

World Languages

6 exams · up to 53 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
French Language Level I506Start prep →
French Language Level II5912Start prep →
German Language Level I506Start prep →
German Language Level II609Start prep →
Spanish Language Level I507Start prep →
Spanish Language Level II6313Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with Tompkins Cortland Community College's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
Beyond CLEP®

TC3 is an
NCCRS member institution.

TC3 is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org. CLEP® isn't the only way to earn credit here — as an NCCRS member, TC3 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 · TC3 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. TC3 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 TC3.

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 TC3.

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 TC3 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.

TC3 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
TC3's bar.

TC3'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

H
Hannah D.
NCCRS · Art History I
★★★★★
Didn't want to sit through a semester of slideshows. NCCRS course let me study on my own pace. Finished the final exam three times to ace it.
F
Freya C.
ACE · Business Math
★★★★★
Math anxiety is real. ACE course let me retake the final. Took it three times. Passed. No test-day panic. This option shouldn't be rare.
E
Esme B.
CLEP® Introductory Sociology
★★★★★
Social work major. Basic review for me. Studied a few hours, passed with a 68. Credit cleared my gen-ed sociology requirement in one shot.
C
Cora B.
CLEP® College Algebra
★★★★★
Adult learner. Hadn't done math in 20 years. Three weeks of structured prep took me from 'what's a variable' to passing. Good stuff.
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.
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.
L
Lena V.
ACE · Principles of Finance
★★★★★
Junior financial analyst. Took the ACE route because I don't test well under time pressure. Finished in 12 days. Credit posted same week.
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.
H
Hannah D.
NCCRS · Art History I
★★★★★
Didn't want to sit through a semester of slideshows. NCCRS course let me study on my own pace. Finished the final exam three times to ace it.
F
Freya C.
ACE · Business Math
★★★★★
Math anxiety is real. ACE course let me retake the final. Took it three times. Passed. No test-day panic. This option shouldn't be rare.
E
Esme B.
CLEP® Introductory Sociology
★★★★★
Social work major. Basic review for me. Studied a few hours, passed with a 68. Credit cleared my gen-ed sociology requirement in one shot.
C
Cora B.
CLEP® College Algebra
★★★★★
Adult learner. Hadn't done math in 20 years. Three weeks of structured prep took me from 'what's a variable' to passing. Good stuff.
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.
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.
L
Lena V.
ACE · Principles of Finance
★★★★★
Junior financial analyst. Took the ACE route because I don't test well under time pressure. Finished in 12 days. Credit posted same week.
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.
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 TC3'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 TC3

  • CLEP® path: Enter TC3's code 2904 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 TC3 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
TC3 acceptsYes · 36 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
TC3 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
TC3 acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
About Tompkins Cortland Community College

TC3
in brief.

Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public community college in Dryden, New York, serving students from the surrounding region in central New York. It is part of the State University of New York system and is commonly known as TC3. The college offers associate-degree study and workforce-oriented education in a suburban setting.

The college provides a range of associate degree and certificate options in liberal arts, transfer-oriented study, and career and technical fields. Like many community colleges, it is designed to support both students who plan to enter the workforce directly and those who intend to continue at a four-year institution. Its academic mission emphasizes accessible education and pathways to transfer.

For CLEP and transfer-credit purposes, Tompkins Cortland Community College is a community college that evaluates prior learning and transfer coursework through its academic policies. Students should expect credit decisions to depend on the specific exam, score, course equivalency, and program requirements. Because policies can change, the college’s current transfer and credit-by-exam guidance should be checked directly with the institution.

Credit and registration procedures are handled through the college’s registrar and academic offices. Students typically need to follow official deadlines, submit required documentation, and confirm how credits apply to their program of study. The registrar is the best source for the most current information on transcript evaluation, registration, and the posting of approved transfer or exam credits.

36
CLEP® Exams Accepted
2
Credit Pathways
166
Max CLEP® Credits
Quick Highlights
  • Public community college serving the Dryden, New York area
  • SUNY affiliation as part of the State University of New York system
  • Transfer-oriented education with associate-degree pathways
  • Career and technical options alongside liberal arts study
  • Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does Tompkins Cortland Community College accept?
Tompkins Cortland Community College accepts 36 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 TC3 require?
TC3 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 Tompkins Cortland Community College?
Enter TC3's institution code 2904 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my TC3 degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does TC3 accept DSST exams?
DSST acceptance at TC3 is not confirmed in our dataset. Contact the Registrar for current policy.
Is TC3 an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. TC3 is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at TC3?
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 (5 exams)
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Financial Accounting?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Financial Accounting exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Information Systems?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Information Systems exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Introductory Business Law?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Introductory Business Law exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Principles of Management?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Principles of Management exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Principles of Marketing?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Principles of Marketing exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — Composition and Literature (6 exams)
Does TC3 accept CLEP® American Literature?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® American Literature exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Analyzing and Interpreting Literature?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® College Composition?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® College Composition exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® College Composition Modular?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® College Composition Modular exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® English Literature?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® English Literature exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Humanities?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Humanities exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (12 exams)
Does TC3 accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. TC3 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 TC3 accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. TC3 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 TC3 accept CLEP® Human Growth and Development?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Human Growth and Development exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Introductory Psychology?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Introductory Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Introductory Sociology?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Introductory Sociology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Social Sciences and History?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Social Sciences and History exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present?
Yes. TC3 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 (7 exams)
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Biology?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Biology exam for 8 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Calculus?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Calculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 8 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® College Algebra?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® College Algebra exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® College Mathematics?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® College Mathematics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Natural Sciences?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Natural Sciences exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Precalculus?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Precalculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
CLEP® exam details — World Languages (6 exams)
Does TC3 accept CLEP® French Language Level I?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® French Language Level I exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® French Language Level II?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® French Language Level II exam for 12 college credits, with a minimum required score of 59.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® German Language Level I?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® German Language Level I exam for 6 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® German Language Level II?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® German Language Level II exam for 9 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level I?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level I exam for 7 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does TC3 accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level II?
Yes. TC3 accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level II exam for 13 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Start Today

Your TC3 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 Tompkins Cortland Community College. 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.