Credit-By-Exam Policies (AP, CLEP, IB, NYU Language, Cambridge)
Advanced Placement (AP)
Kean grants credit and appropriate advanced standing to students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement courses in high school and who have passed the Advanced Placement Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board with a grade of 3 or higher (with some exceptions that require a 4 or higher).
Official electronic score reports are required from the College Board in order to award credit at Kean.
For more information and the exam equivalencies, visit the Advanced Placement Credits page on the Kean website. For questions contact transfer@kean.edu
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is designed to test and recognize knowledge gained through non-college coursework ways. CLEP offers examinations measuring achievement in five general areas of the liberal arts, as well as in several specific subject areas (for a list of CLEP tests and their Kean Course Equivalencies, click here).
Kean awards up to 7 credits (2 courses) for examinations that measure general achievement in the areas of Kean’s GE Foundation courses (English composition (essay option only) and mathematics). Up to an additional 33 credits can be awarded as GE Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Distribution courses, Additional Required Courses or Free Electives for examinations that measure general achievement in the following areas: humanities and literature, world languages, natural sciences, history, social sciences and business. Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or above, except in foreign languages, where the equivalent four-semester level 2 score is required. CLEP credit cannot be applied to Kean Course Equivalencies requiring a grade higher than C for a given major. Students interested in CLEP testing should first consult with their faculty advisor to ensure that possible CLEP credits can be applied toward degree requirements.
Please Note: Students cannot receive both CLEP equivalency credit and college coursework credit for the courses that have similar subjects (i.e. (a) students who have taken a college level course in literature cannot take any of the Literature exams for credit, (b) students who have taken a college level psychology course cannot take any of the psychology equated CLEP exams for credit), etc..
For additional information, visit: https://www.kean.edu/clep or contact transfer@kean.edu
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who complete International Baccalaureate (IB) courses—either through the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP) may be eligible for college credit. Credit is typically awarded for scores of 5 or higher on Higher Level (HL) exams; however, some departments may also award credit for Standard Level (SL) exams. Eligibility and the number of credits granted are determined by the appropriate department. Official IB score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions to begin the credit evaluation process.
Cambridge International Education: Advance AS and A level Exams
Students who complete Cambridge International AS or A levels may be eligible for college credit. Credit is typically awarded for scores of E or higher. Eligibility and the number of credits granted are determined by the appropriate department. Official AS and A level score reports or diplomas must be submitted to the Office of Admissions to begin the credit evaluation process.
NYU Language Proficiency Testing Program
Students who complete NYU Language Proficiency tests will receive credit based on the number of cumulated test points and comparable benchmarks in language proficiency. Credits will be articulated to the equivalent subject area. Exam results are valid for three years. Official score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions to begin the credit evaluation process.