Earn college credit with proficiency exams and portfolios

Franklin wants to help you get all the college credit you deserve so you can save time and money on earning your degree. That’s why we’re pleased to accept proof of college-level learning in the form of proficiency exams. 

Test out of some of your degree program courses and earn college credit by examination for passing CLEP, DSST and other proficiency examinations. 

Submitting Materials for Evaluation

Most schools are well-equipped to evaluate prior classroom for course credit, while awarding credit for professional training, testing, certifications and other nontraditional learning proves to be more difficult. That’s not the case at Franklin. Franklin’s Learning Exchange is a convenient tool that enables you  to collect certificates, military training, advanced placement, proficiency tests and other learning experiences for evaluation toward college credit. You can upload your materials at any point within the admission process or during your time as a student.

For information on how CLEP, DSST, FUPE, Advanced Placement (AP) testing and UExcel exams transfer toward Franklin course credit, email TheLearningExchange@franklin.edu

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program or CLEP is a widely trusted credit-for-course examination program. CLEP currently offers 33 different exams, including a number of math, science and business disciplines.

With the exception of the combination multiple-choice and essay College Composition exam, each CLEP is a computerized, 90-minute, multiple-choice test.

Find CLEP exam guides at your local library, at the Franklin University Learning Commons, most major bookstores, and the CLEP website at www.collegeboard.com

DSST

DSST, formerly known as the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), is a nationally recognized prior learning assessment program. It lets you earn college credit for learning done on the job or through independent study -- including reading.

DSST currently offers 30 different exams in such subject areas as math, applied technology and business.Because Franklin University sets its own policies regarding qualifying credit, please talk to your admissions or academic advisor about your DSST eligibility before scheduling testing.

DSST examinations measure achievement one course at a time so you can study for one anytime, including while taking other courses.

Each exam is a computerized, two-hour, multiple-choice test (with the exception of public speaking, which also includes a 20-minute speech prep and presentation).

Find DSST study guides at the DSST website.

Franklin University Proficiency Examination (FUPE)

Franklin University Proficiency Examinations (FUPEs) are Franklin-created proficiency exams that assess prior knowledge and experience for course credit. FUPE course credit is only available at Franklin and is not transferrable to other institutions.

Franklin offers nearly two dozen different exams in a wide variety of subjects, however, Franklin does not offer FUPEs for subjects available through CLEP or DSST examination.

You may be eligible for a FUPE exam if your experience, training or independent reading is equivalent to what you would learn in the college classroom. 

For more information or a list of available FUPEs, visit Franklin University’s Learning Commons.

Advanced Placement Testing

Take an advanced placement test at your high school and earn a score of three, four or five, and you could be awarded University credit -- even before you start college.

UExcel® Exams

Learn -- then earn -- equivalent course credit through Excelsior College’s UExcel® exams.

Approved for credit by Franklin University, UExcel proficiency exams let you earn some of your college credits by exam rather than by taking an online class or college course. UExcel offers dozens of lower- and upper-level credit-by-examination subjects.  Learn more at www.excelsior.edu/exams/uexcel-home.

Portfolios

Franklin values on-the-job experiences and independent study knowledge, and will consider experience-for-credit through a prior learning portfolio evaluation. A portfolio evaluation is available for any Franklin class except capstone courses.

A portfolio evaluation provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate knowledge that cannot be assessed through exams. In order to get class credit for your prior learning, your portfolio must illustrate that your existing knowledge aligns with the learning outcomes assigned to that specific course. Just as students taking the course must demonstrate their competence through reading, assignments, participation, exams, papers and other items, you will need to do the same with your portfolio.