Transfer Students

Office of Admissions
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5211 USA
(269) 387-2000

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Policy Information

This testing program gives individuals the chance to earn college credit by examination in a variety of areas of study. There are two types of tests offered—general examinations and subject examinations. Interested students are encouraged to check with a WMU advisor before making testing plans.

CLEP credit cannot be transferred from another institution. CLEP scores for exams taken at previous institutions are evaluated only after WMU receives official CLEP score reports from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). WMU’s college code for student score report requests to CLEP is 1902.  In reference to CLEP credit granted by Western Michigan University and the University's graduation requirements, CLEP credit is not applicable to the required hours completed at an accredited four-year, degree-granting institution. In addition, ten of the last thirty hours must be taken through WMU. CLEP may not be used to satisfy any of the minimum requirements.

CLEP subject examinations

Western awards credit for the following CLEP subject examinations listed below. The required score for credit is a minimum of 50 on each exam. Students cannot qualify for credit if they have already received college credit for an equivalent below. The equivalents shown are subject to change without notice.

ExamRequired minimum scoreWMU equivalentCredit
Algebra, College50MATH 1100, 11106 sem. hrs.
American Government50PSCI 20003 sem. hrs.
Biology, General50BIOS 1050, 1120*6 sem. hrs.
Calculus50 - 59MATH 20004 sem. hrs.
60 or higherMATH 12204 sem. hrs.
Chemistry50CHEM 1100, 11104 sem. hrs.
French50 - 55FREN 10004 sem. hrs.
56 - 62FREN 1000 and 10108 sem. hrs.
63 - 67FREN 1000, 1010, and 200012 sem. hrs.
68 - 80FREN 1000, 1010, 2000, and 201016 sem. hrs.
German50 - 55GER 10004 sem. hrs.
56 - 62GER 1000 and 10108 sem. hrs.
63 - 67GER 1000, 1010, and 200012 sem. hrs.
68 - 80GER 1000, 1010, 2000, and 201016 sem. hrs.
History of the United States I50HIST 21003 sem. hrs.
History of the United States II50HIST 21103 sem. hrs.
Human Growth and Development50HSV 22503 sem. hrs.
Precalculus60MATH 11804 sem. hrs.
Principles of Macroeconomics50ECON 20203 sem. hrs.
Principles of Microeconomics50ECON 20103 sem. hrs.
Psychology, Introductory50PSY 10003 sem. hrs.
Sociology, Introductory50SOC 20003 sem. hrs.
Spanish50 - 55SPAN 10004 sem. hrs.
56 - 62SPAN 1000 and 10108 sem. hrs.
63 - 67SPAN 1000, 1010, and 200012 sem. hrs.
68 - 80SPAN 1000, 1010, 2000, and 201016 sem. hrs.
Western Civilization I50HIST 10003 sem. hrs.
Western Civilization II50HIST 10103 sem. hrs.

*Lab credit is not granted. 

CLEP general examinations

Students may take the general CLEP examinations only before completing 24 credit hours after entering or re-entering WMU. Students who have already received credit for a college writing class or a college mathematics class cannot receive CLEP credit for those areas. Students who have completed a WMU course or transfer equivalent that applies to the General Education Distribution Areas of Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences or Natural Sciences cannot receive credit for the corresponding CLEP credit. 

ExamRequired minimum scoreWMU equivalentCredit
Humanities50Area I Gen Ed
(Fine Arts)		3 sem. hrs.
Social Sciences and History50Area V Gen Ed
(Social and Behavioral Sciences)		6 sem. hrs.
College Composition50Proficiency 1 Gen Ed
(ENGL 1050)		3 sem. hrs.
Natural Sciences50Area VI Gen Ed*
(Natural Sciences) 		3 sem. hrs.
College Mathematics50Proficiency 3 Gen Ed 
(Math)		3 sem. hrs.

* Does not satisfy lab requirement for Area VI.

Questions about CLEP policy at Western Michigan University may be directed to the Office of Admissions at (269) 387-2000.