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Programs and Services

CLEP^®Helps Thousands in Military Pursue
College Degrees

Staff Sergeant James C. Young (center), U.S. Marines, makes use of the CLEP study guide while stationed overseas.

The College Board and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support continue to expand educational options for active-duty and reserve service members. As a result of this partnership, men and women on active duty in all branches of the military, stationed all around the world, may take College-Level Examination Program® examinations for free. In 2007-08, there were 11,000 CLEP® exams administered to forward-deployed U.S. Armed Forces, with the largest volumes in Iraq
and Afghanistan.

“CLEP helps people continue on their path, even if they’re in isolated areas, because as you can imagine, it’s an easier logistic feat for us to deliver an exam than an entire course and a professor,” said Jeff Cropsey, director of DANTES.

CLEP offers students the opportunity to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 examinations. Depending on their scores and their colleges’ policies, students may also use CLEP credit to bypass certain introductory courses.

DANTES assists service members throughout the Department of Defense, including Reserve components, in completing their postsecondary education programs.

Cropsey pointed out that for DANTES, an organization supported by taxpayers, CLEP has been a terrific cost-saver. “This year through credit-by-exam programs, we’re saving in the neighborhood of $40 million … which would have ordinarily been spent on tuition assistance to pay for courses.

“A lot of service members are taking courses here and there,” said Cropsey. “They’re going from place to place … they’re not doing things in the traditional sense ... CLEP has really helped them because the credits are portable.” Soldiers get another benefit from the credit they earn, according to Cropsey. “They walked in, a high school graduate, and they’re walking out … with a year of college and a new self-confidence that is inspiring.”

Accepting CLEP credit from service members also provides a benefit to colleges. Many soldiers enroll in college as they transition to civilian life. Entering a bachelor’s degree program with CLEP credit helps them to stay committed to degree completion. In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs will reimburse qualified veterans for their CLEP exams, enabling students to earn even more credit once they’re enrolled.

CLEP Executive Director Ariel Foster said, “When you clearly communicate your CLEP policy, you are rolling out the red carpet for veterans who want to enroll in your degree programs.”

She offers the following tips for campus administrators and advisers who want to attract veterans and military service members to their academic communities:

• Make sure the credit-granting policy for CLEP and other credit-by-exam programs clearly lists the exam title, the score required and the amount of credit granted. It’s a good idea to have this policy posted on the Web site and on any pages describing services for veterans.
  
  
• Anyone advising veterans should be apprised of the CLEP policy ― from veteran liaisons to academic advisers. All should have a copy readily available and know how to resolve questions from veterans.
  
  
• Consider administering CLEP on campus so that veterans are able to take advantage of the Department of Veterans Affairs' reimbursement program.

 

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