Verified · Credit Policy

University of Northern Iowa CLEP® Credit Policy

UNI accepts 24 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® · 24 ExamsNCCRS MemberACE Accepted
How It Works

3 steps to earn
UNI 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 UNI's CLEP® code 6307 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.
Credit posts to your transcript
Most students see credit on their UNI transcript within 2–4 weeks of exam transmission. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
University of Northern Iowa accepts.

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

Business

2 exams · up to 6 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Principles of Management563Start prep →
Principles of Marketing653Start prep →

Composition and Literature

2 exams · up to 6 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
College Composition593Start prep →
Humanities563Start prep →

History and Social Sciences

8 exams · up to 24 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
American Government633Start prep →
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877563Start prep →
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present573Start prep →
Introductory Psychology593Start prep →
Principles of Macroeconomics623Start prep →
Principles of Microeconomics643Start prep →
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648563Start prep →
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present563Start prep →

Science and Mathematics

6 exams · up to 21 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
Biology574Start prep →
Calculus614Start prep →
Chemistry634Start prep →
College Mathematics743Start prep →
Natural Sciences623Start prep →
Precalculus613Start prep →

World Languages

6 exams · up to 45 credits
ExamMin ScoreCreditsPrep
French Language Level I555Start prep →
French Language Level II6210Start prep →
German Language Level I505Start prep →
German Language Level II5610Start prep →
Spanish Language Level I555Start prep →
Spanish Language Level II6310Start prep →
✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with University of Northern Iowa's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
Beyond CLEP®

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

UNI 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 UNI Registrar under its prior-learning policy; 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 · UNI 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. UNI 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 UNI.

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 UNI.

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 UNI 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.

UNI 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.

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
UNI's bar.

UNI's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 74. 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
Isabella C.
CLEP® Natural Sciences
★★★★★
Biology and chemistry combined into one exam sounded brutal. The study guides broke it into manageable modules. Passed with a 58.
O
Owen G.
CLEP® Western Civilization II
★★★★★
Surprised by how much French/American Revolution content was on this exam. Study material covered every era. Got my 3 credits.
J
Juno F.
CLEP® French Level I
★★★★★
Three years of HS French. Dusted off my knowledge with 5 weeks of prep. Passed at 57. 6 credits for 90 minutes of effort. Unreal.
K
Kevin O.
CLEP® Intro Psychology
★★★★★
One subscription, studied 5 subjects. Cost me less than a single community college course would have. Math doesn't lie.
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.
T
Tyler B.
CLEP® Introductory Sociology
★★★★★
Two weeks of solid study, one evening of cramming, passed with room to spare. The practice questions mirror the real exam format closely.
C
Chloe P.
ACE · Foundations of Leadership
★★★★★
Manager at a Fortune 500 and pursuing an MBA. Took this to skip the undergrad leadership req. Took me one weekend. Done.
E
Evelyn S.
CLEP® English Literature
★★★★★
English major lol. This was review for me. Took me 6 days of light prep. The detail on practice questions was actually impressive.
I
Isabella C.
CLEP® Natural Sciences
★★★★★
Biology and chemistry combined into one exam sounded brutal. The study guides broke it into manageable modules. Passed with a 58.
O
Owen G.
CLEP® Western Civilization II
★★★★★
Surprised by how much French/American Revolution content was on this exam. Study material covered every era. Got my 3 credits.
J
Juno F.
CLEP® French Level I
★★★★★
Three years of HS French. Dusted off my knowledge with 5 weeks of prep. Passed at 57. 6 credits for 90 minutes of effort. Unreal.
K
Kevin O.
CLEP® Intro Psychology
★★★★★
One subscription, studied 5 subjects. Cost me less than a single community college course would have. Math doesn't lie.
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.
T
Tyler B.
CLEP® Introductory Sociology
★★★★★
Two weeks of solid study, one evening of cramming, passed with room to spare. The practice questions mirror the real exam format closely.
C
Chloe P.
ACE · Foundations of Leadership
★★★★★
Manager at a Fortune 500 and pursuing an MBA. Took this to skip the undergrad leadership req. Took me one weekend. Done.
E
Evelyn S.
CLEP® English Literature
★★★★★
English major lol. This was review for me. Took me 6 days of light prep. The detail on practice questions was actually impressive.
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 UNI'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 UNI

  • CLEP® path: Enter UNI's code 6307 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 UNI 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
UNI acceptsYes · 24 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
UNI 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
UNI acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
About University of Northern Iowa

UNI
in brief.

The University of Northern Iowa is a public university in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It is part of the Iowa public higher education system and serves undergraduate and graduate students from across the region and beyond. The campus is known for its residential setting and strong ties to teacher education and professional preparation.

UNI offers a broad range of academic programs through its colleges and schools, including education, business, humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and health-related fields. The university is especially well known for preparing teachers and other education professionals, while also offering many undergraduate majors and graduate degrees. Students can pursue both liberal arts and career-focused study.

For transfer and credit-by-exam students, UNI evaluates prior college coursework and may award credit according to university transfer policies. CLEP credit acceptance is handled through institutional review, so students should confirm how specific exams apply to their intended major or degree plan. Policies can vary by subject area, score, and program requirements.

Credit and degree progress at UNI are managed through the registrar and academic advising processes. Students should work with the Registrar's Office and their academic advisor to determine how transfer, exam, or other prior-learning credits fit into their program. Official transcripts and supporting documentation are typically required for evaluation and posting of credit.

24
CLEP® Exams Accepted
100+
Degree Programs
2
Credit Pathways
102
Max CLEP® Credits
Quick Highlights
  • Public university located in Cedar Falls, Iowa
  • Known for teacher education and professional preparation
  • Broad academic offerings across undergraduate and graduate study
  • Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
  • Transfer and exam credit are evaluated through university policies
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does University of Northern Iowa accept?
University of Northern Iowa accepts 24 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 UNI require?
UNI requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 50 – 74 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to University of Northern Iowa?
Enter UNI's institution code 6307 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my UNI degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does UNI accept DSST exams?
DSST acceptance at UNI is not confirmed in our dataset. Contact the Registrar for current policy.
Is UNI an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. UNI is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at UNI?
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 (2 exams)
Does UNI accept CLEP® Principles of Management?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Principles of Management exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Principles of Marketing?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Principles of Marketing exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 65.
CLEP® exam details — Composition and Literature (2 exams)
Does UNI accept CLEP® College Composition?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® College Composition exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 59.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Humanities?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Humanities exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (8 exams)
Does UNI accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Does UNI accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
Does UNI accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Introductory Psychology?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Introductory Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 59.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 62.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 64.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
CLEP® exam details — Science and Mathematics (6 exams)
Does UNI accept CLEP® Biology?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Biology exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Calculus?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Calculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 61.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Does UNI accept CLEP® College Mathematics?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® College Mathematics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 74.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Natural Sciences?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Natural Sciences exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 62.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Precalculus?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Precalculus exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 61.
CLEP® exam details — World Languages (6 exams)
Does UNI accept CLEP® French Language Level I?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® French Language Level I exam for 5 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does UNI accept CLEP® French Language Level II?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® French Language Level II exam for 10 college credits, with a minimum required score of 62.
Does UNI accept CLEP® German Language Level I?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® German Language Level I exam for 5 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does UNI accept CLEP® German Language Level II?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® German Language Level II exam for 10 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level I?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level I exam for 5 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does UNI accept CLEP® Spanish Language Level II?
Yes. UNI accepts the CLEP® Spanish Language Level II exam for 10 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Start Today

Your UNI 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 University of Northern Iowa. 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.