Does anyone have any information regarding clep testing sequence? Can you take the subject tests before the general exams? I'm trying to figure out if the general exams are considered more advanced than the subject tests. I'm trying to avoid overlap. So far I have passed the following clep subjects. Intro to Psych Human growth and Development Intro to sociology US History 1 Thanks in advance. ML
Yes, you can take subject tests before taking the general battery. Each school decides for itself what its policies are regarding duplication of credits between the two sets of exams. The general exams are not normally considered more advanced. However, some schools will be reluctant to offer you credit for both a general exam and a subject exam that covers similar ground. It's been a long time since I took my last CLEP, but you might not find any difficulty getting credit for both the general battery and the exams you've taken so far. IIRC, it was the math and composition exams (general and subject) that tended to overlap.
It seems like every school handles CLEPs differently. Some accept no CLEPs while other will accept some or all. Many traditional universities limit the general tests to students who have less than 90 credits and limit all non-traditional credit to 30 credits or less. Many schools only accept a few of the tests without much reasoning. The key is finding which school you will use the credits at and finding out their exact policy before taking too many tests. Do you have a school in mind at this point?
I'm undecided about my major. But I have been looking into schools like Rowan University and Widener University. Widener has a generous clep/exam allowance but the per credit hour cost may make this option prohibitive. Rowan will accept 30 credits toward a BA, whereas Widener will accept 60 and they also seem to cater to the working adult. Unfortunately my local community college will only accept 15 clep credits. If they would accept more I would pursue the AS degree first. ML
Warning: Thomas Edison proselytizing ahead. You mentioned Rowan. Take a moment to read the "full faith and credit" policy governing the transfer of associate's degree graduates to NJ public colleges/universities. In brief, the policy guarantees admission to a NJ state college to an associate's degree graduate from a New Jersey community college-- or the AA/AS programs at TESC. I believe the policy also governs acceptance of credits earned in the associate's program and in the case of TESC, that could mean 60 credits-by-exam. If you want to finish your bachelor's degree at a brick-and-mortar NJ public university-- like Rowan-- a look at the policy and at the TESC AA/AS programs may be worthwhile.
Thanks for the information. I have looked into the TESC programs and I am very interested so no conversions are necessary I do, however, have concerns about the transferability of credits into Rowan's 'Elementary Education' program. It's said to be highly competitive. I realize that transfer agreements exist within the State of NJ, but if I could only get some information out of Rowan I would feel more relaxed about pursuing my degree nontraditionally. BTW , I took Intro to Ed Psych Clep yesterday and passed (of course). I am now working on US History II and American Government. ML
