Alternate Credit Options

Alternate Credit Options

Alternate Credit Options

Students have access to low‑cost, self‑paced online learning options through platforms such as Modern States’ College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Sophia Learning. These programs offer courses that may fulfill general education or free elective requirements. To get started, simply create an account on the platform, select a course that is accepted by Rowan University, complete the coursework, and request an official transcript. This allows you to earn transferable college credits at a reduced cost and on a flexible timeline.  See more details below, and check in with your advisor to ensure the credits will count toward your degree requirements.

Modern States

Modern States is a non-profit offering free and open access to college-level courses.  The courses are designed to prepare students for the major “Advanced Placement” (AP)* or “College Level Examination Program” (CLEP)* tests offered by the College Board, including subjects such as History, Computer Science, Math, English and Economics.  Learn more at www.modernstates.org

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are designed to allow you to demonstrate your mastery of college level material in introductory subjects (and earn credit). CLEP offers 33 exams in 5 subject areas. CLEP exams are not specific to Rowan University; they are accepted by more than 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in more than 1,800 test centers, including the Rowan University Testing Center.

Mastery of college level materials may come from previous education, certification, work experience, and more, including foreign language skills.  

CLEP exams can be completed online, or at the Rowan University Testing Center.

Please visit the Office of the Registrar's non-traditional credit page for Rowan University's CLEP policies/equivalents.

 How To Earn Credits Using CLEP and Modern States

Course offerings from Modern States include Literature, History, World Languages, Science, Math, Business and more. Take one of these self-paced online courses and in just four easy steps you can earn college credits.

  1. Select a course from the Modern States website.
  2. Double-check to confirm that Rowan University accepts the credit for this course: https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/transferring-credits/non-traditional-transfer-credits.html 
  3. After finishing the course, register for the associated CLEP exam: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
  4. Obtain a course transcript and send it to Rowan University.

Online Options

With online learning platforms, you can take a variety of general education options for a low cost and at your own pace, and then transfer those credits to Rowan University.

How it Works

  1. Select an available course.
  2. Double check to ensure the offered credits will be accepted by Rowan University.   You can view equivalencies on the Transfer Credit Database.  (Please note that Rowan University does not accept all credits.)
  3. Work through the course at your own pace.
  4. Obtain your transcripts to transfer the credits to Rowan.

Recommended Options

Sophia Learning

StraighterLine

Study.com

Additional Options

Rowan University accepts transfer credits from a variety of educational institutions as well as learning services. The American Council of Education (ACE) offers a national guide of recommendations for courses and exams to be completed for college credits. This allows for students who need to meet prerequisite requirements and/or for those who have participated in a wide range of experiential learning outside of the classroom to still receive some college credits. Below is our current nomenclature list of the American Council of Education (ACE) approved Learning Services Rowan University accepts.

To view course equivalents, check out the Undergraduate Transfer Credit Equivalent Database.