USD accepts 28 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.
6881 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Composition | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Composition Modular | 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 | 3 | 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 | 59 | 4 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 60 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 63 | 4 | Start prep → |
USD is recognized on acenet.edu as an ACE-aligned institution. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept ACE-recommended coursework toward degree requirements. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the USD Registrar under its prior-learning policy; 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 USD.
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.
USD is an ACE-aligned institution per acenet.edu. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm before enrolling.
USD's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 63. 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 USD's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
6881 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar8547Three legitimate ways to earn USD credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
The University of South Dakota is a public university in Vermillion, South Dakota. It is the state’s flagship university and serves students from across South Dakota, the region, and beyond. The campus is located in the southeastern part of the state near the Missouri River.
USD offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional study through multiple colleges and schools. It is especially known for programs in health sciences, law, business, education, and the liberal arts. The university also supports research and professional training opportunities across its academic divisions.
For transfer and credit-by-exam students, USD has established policies for evaluating prior college work and standardized exam credit. CLEP credit may be accepted according to university policy and course equivalency rules, but applicability depends on the specific exam, score, and degree program. Students should consult official USD transfer and testing resources for current details.
Academic credit at USD is handled through the registrar and the relevant academic departments, which determine how transfer work and exam-based credit apply to a student’s record. As with most universities, credit acceptance can depend on residency requirements, major requirements, and course equivalencies. Students should verify current policies directly with the registrar before relying on outside credit for degree planning.
6881 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 University of South Dakota. 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.