Student Success Center
Student resources to help you succeed. ***Please Note: Beginning November 1, 2008, the Dantes (DSST) testing fee will from $70 to $80***
Credit by Examination
Students may attempt to earn college credit in some areas by
examination. The credit-by-examination program is an option for
those who have strong academic high school backgrounds or who have
studied on their own. These comprehensive examinations are
administered by appointment in the Testing Centers. Prior to
taking any one of these exams, students must pay the required test
registration fees.
A passing score will result in the credits for the class appearing on
the students' transcript. While the credits count toward
graduation, the credits are not used in the calculation of the grade
point average. ***Please note that students seeking credit at CSM
must be currently admitted to the college and must have an academic
advisor sign the registration form. All other testers may have
their score(s) sent to the appropriate college, university, or military
branch.***
Click here to view the exams
currently accepted by CSM and available study guides.
CLEP
The College-Level Examination ProgramŽ (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on examinations. (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html)
DSST (formerly DANTES)
The nationally recognized DSST Program allows students to receive college
credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom perhaps
from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study. (http://www.getcollegecredit.com/about.html)
Departmental Examination
An academic department may award course credit to students who document
learning comparable to that required in specific college courses.
A Departmental Examination is created by the appropriate college
department and administered by appointment in the Testing Centers.
Departmental Exams must be taken within thirty (30) days of registering
for the exam.
A passing grade on an examination is recorded with a grade of P
on the transcript.
To Register for a Credit-by-Examination Test:
1. Pick up required registration/payment forms
from any of the Testing Centers
La Plata Campus – LR 120
Leonardtown Campus – A 109
Prince Frederick Campus – PF 102
or click the appropriate link*: CLEP
DSST
*Departmental Exam forms must be picked
up in person.
2. Fill out the registration form completely.
Those seeking credit at CSM must meet with an Academic
Advisor and have them sign the registration form.
a) At the La Plata campus, Departmental
Exam registration forms must next be taken to the Express Desk (AD
building).
b) At the Leonardtown or
Prince Frederick campus, your Academic Advisor will register you.
3. Fill out the payment form. Submit the form with all necessary fees to the Bursar’s/Business office.
4. Bring the registration and payment forms to the Testing Center to schedule an appointment. Departmental Exams must be taken within thirty (30) days of registering for the test.
5. On the day of testing, the student must bring two forms of identification (one must be a photo ID), and any additional required payment. Military and civilian employees should see CLEP's policy on test payment.
6. Results Information:
a) CLEP and DSST scores are generally available
immediately after testing.
b) Departmental Exam results should be
available within three (3) weeks after the exam has been taken. If you
do not receive notification within three weeks, please contact the
Registrar’s Office, 301-934-7588.
Students with Disabilities
Individuals with documented disabilities that require special accommodations should contact CSM’s ADA coordinator, 301-934-2251, ext. 7614 along with CLEP or DSST at least two weeks prior to the exam. Requests made after this deadline will be considered on an individual basis.
Payment Information:
~CLEP and DSST have a $25 proctoring fee. This fee will be paid to the Bursar’s Office accompanying the payment form, prior to scheduling a testing appointment, and is non refundable. It may be paid with cash, credit card, check or money order (made payable to CSM or College of Southern Maryland).
~The CLEP and DSST fees are both $70 (***Please Note: Beginning November 1, 2008, the Dantes (DSST) testing fee will from $70 to $80***). This is payable by credit card or check or money order (made payable to CLEP or DSST, as appropriate). This fee will be paid at the time of your testing appointment.
~Departmental Examinations are charged at a rate of $20 per credit. (ex. BAD 1330 is a 3 credit class. 3 credits x $20 = $60.) This must be paid after registering at either the Express Desk (La Plata) or with your Academic Advisor (Leonardtown and Prince Frederick), but before scheduling your appointment with the Testing Center.
Scheduling Information:
La Plata administers CLEP and DSST tests every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm.
For availability at the Leonardtown (240-725-5340, A109) or Prince Frederick (443-550-6040, PF 102) campuses, please call or stop by the appropriate Testing Center.