Does CLEP look good or bad on a transcript?

[Trek234]

Hi everyone,

I am just about to finish my associates in arts degree this semester. Right now on my transcript I have 7 classes that were CLEP'ed out of and show on my transcript as:

"<Class name> 3 credits earned GRADE: CBE" (credit by examination)

I have 43 additional credits completed from classes I actually took, and my GPA is around 3.0. I am going to a major university for 2 more years after this to get a bachelors.

My question is - does CLEP'ing out of 7 classes look bad on my transcript if a future employer looks at my transcript? Or does it look good/neutral?

Also - what is the reason it is seen as good or bad?

Thanks for any info!

[Maniac Craniac]

Well, it looked good enough for your school to give you credit for it

[Yenisei]

Employers usually don't look at transcripts and they are more concerned with functional skills when it comes to entry-level employees. I wouldn't worry about it, not least because CLEP is just for entry level courses anyway.

[P00057870]

Depends on the employer and occupation, and this has been changing. I'm an older person and once upon a time it was looked down upon. These days, almost every college or university allows a certain number of credits that can be tested out of.

So, as for your local college/university, you need to get with them or go online and look for their policy on "accelerated learning". Most of them allow a certain number of credits and will publish a list of which CLEP/AP/DSST/ECE tests equate to their specific college courses. The State of Florida Department of Education (DOE) also has a document online showing which ones are mandated by them for all of the state colleges/universities.

Now for employers - if you are going into something specific, like medicine, or engineering, etc., there will be limitations on this both by the universities and employers attitudes but even then, there is a previous posting here by a student who was in the military and was being seen by a military physician and from their conversion the doctor shared that he got his BS with Excelsior, then went on to med school - so where there is a will, there is a way.

Also, keep in mind that often colleges let you "challenge" and test out of subjects they teach for an extremely reduced cost and great time savings. They do not make it generally known but if you can test out of a subject, why not go for it. Most people are not comfortable with this and just find it easier to get up in the morning, go sit in a class, do homework, and test in class.

Also, today, many classes at the colleges/universities are offered online.

Some employers actually have come to recognize and value the individual who is motivated to do the work on their own and willing to think outside of the box when it comes to their education, so they see it as a positive that you will bring that same skill to be utilized to their benefit.

Sometimes it comes back to how you view and sell yourself when the time comes.

Judy

P.S. Perhaps a friendly reminder needs to be made concerning AP Exams, which are Advance Placement Exams. Students in High School study the subject all year and then test out in the spring (May?) and get college credit for them. This is certainly looked upon as beneficial and can cut out at least 1 year of college for the brighter high school students.

My point here is two-fold: (1) If that is seen as good, why not the other tests as well; and (2) the reminder that these tests can also be taken by adults. There are previous postings on how this can be done but it takes planning, registering far enough in advance, and knowing you may be the only adult in the room at the time of test -- but, who cares about that if it gets you credits in classes you need to accomplish your ultimate goal. These courses include things like physicis and calculus.

[motuterry]

Fortunately most schools only list passing CLEP's......so they all look pretty good to me. If your question is whether a CLEP present a different appearance than a grade earned sitting in a class room, yes they do. They show you understand return on investment and are not going to spend $800 on a course that you were capable of passing via a test for $80.

On an aside, just because someone sat in a classroom doesn't necessarily mean that individual could pass a credit for exam in that subject.

The only time I have ever had anyone mention CLEPs on my transcipt was during an interview. The interviewer stated he tried a CLEP and failed.

[Lindagerr]

I did about 1/2 my degree through testing out. I was just approved for a teaching certification in NJ(I just need all the other stuff any college graduate with a non-teaching BA needs) the only requirement was the credit was listed on an RA college transcript. I have only been to 1 interview for a teaching position the CLEP etc. were never mentioned( I didn't get the job, but I came in 2nd only because the other person had experience). I have been through 2 interviews for substitute teachers CLEP was not brought up at either and I got both positions.

So I don't think they are a problem on transcripts and probably half the time interviewers don't even know the difference.

[Maniac Craniac]

The only time I have ever had anyone mention CLEPs on my transcipt was during an interview. The interviewer stated he tried a CLEP and failed.

lol, awesome! hilarious

[burbuja0512]

At this point, for me, it's a matter of having or not having a degree. I am struggling with 5 kids and a full time job. I'm also traveling quite a bit. If I had to do essays and homework, it just wouldn't happen right now. So, for me it's not a matter of how good a CLEP looks or not, it's a matter of being able to put that B.S. on my resume

[NAP]

.....I was just approved for a teaching certification in NJ......

Congratulations Linda!!! We know you worked very hard for this!