Earning College Credit

Students can shorten their time spent in school and save on tuition spent throughout their college career by taking any of a variety of tests that will allow them to receive college credit for prior learning up to 45 credit-by-exam credits may be awarded.

Advanced Placement (AP)

LSSC grants credit for AP exams according to the guidelines provided by the State of Florida’s Articulation Coordinating Committee. AP program examinations are administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB).

To obtain credit for AP exams taken, the student must:

• Have taken the exam prior to enrolling in college
• Have original scores sent to LSSC’s Registar’s directly from the College Board.
• Earn a score of 3, 4, or 5 on an exam listed on the ACC Credit-by-Exam Equivalencies located in the AP Equivalency Chart
• Be enrolled as a student at LSSC before the credit is awarded for these exams

Other important notes regarding the use of AP scores and credit include the following:

• Credit graded for AP exams is listed on the student’s transcript and is transferable to Florida public institutions of higher education and may able to transferable to private institutions
• No letter grades or quality points are assigned to the credit received for AP exams
• Credit will not be awarded for AP exams in a course for which credit has already been earned
• Credit awarded for AP exams cannot be used to forgive a grade previously earned in a course

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

LSSC grants credit for CLEP exams according to the guidelines provided by the State of Florida’s Articulation Coordinating Committee. CLEP examinations are administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). While LSSC does not charge for CLEP test administration, students must pay CLEP test fees directly through the College Board.

To obtain credit for CLEP exams taken, the student must:

• Be currently enrolled at LSSC
• Earn a minimum score of 50 or higher on the subject matter examination listed on the ACC Credit-By-Exam Equivalencies which is located in the CLEP Equivalency Chart
• Have official scores sent to LSSC’s Registrar’s Office directly from the College Board

Other important notes regarding the use of CLEP scores and credit include the following:

• LSSC grants credit for CLEP exams according to the guidelines provided by the State of Florida’s Articulation Coordinating Committee. CLEP examinations are administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB)
• No letter grades or quality points are assigned to the credit earned from the CLEP exams
• Students are not permitted to take CLEP for courses in which they are currently enrolled, have previously attempted, (regardless of grade earned, including “W” and “I”, or in which credit has already been earned); however, if the CLEP exam grants credits for two courses, the student can take the exam to earn credit for the course that has not been attempted (ex. College Composition exam).
• Credit awarded for CLEP exams cannot be used to forgive a grade previously earned in a course

For testing hours and locations, student should contact the Testing Administrator at 352-435-5009 or visit the Testing Center webpage https://libguides.lssc.edu/testcenter

Defense Activity Non-Traditional Education Support DANTES/DSST

The Defense Activity Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program is a test conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS). DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) measure earned achievement in specific college courses. LSSC will award credit according to state guidelines. LSSC does not permit students to use exam credit toward forgiveness of course credits.  Writing emphasis of “Gordon Rule” writing requirements cannot be satisfied through DANTES.

Excelsior College Examinations

UExcel; Excelsior College Examinations (formally known as Regents College Exams or the Proficiency Examination Program), are developed by Excelsior College using national committees of faculty consultants and national studies to assess how well the tests measure the performance of students in actual college courses. Excelsior College Examinations are approved by the American Council on Education, and Excelsior College itself is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS). UExcel exams will not be offered after August 21, 2022. LSSC will award credit according to state guidelines for exams taken prior to the discontinuation of the program. Course equivalencies and related information is available on the Florida Department of Education’s Credit-By-Exam Equivalencies list.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a rigorous two-year, pre-university liberal arts program of study for highly motivated, academically oriented secondary students. The IB Diploma is awarded only to students who meet curricular, service, and thesis requirements and score at the prescribed level on internationally standardized subject examinations. Through the IB Program, students may be awarded up to 30 college-level credit hours. No grades will be assigned to credits awarded through the IB Program. Students will not receive credit for IB courses that duplicate credit awarded for courses previously taken and passed or credit that was awarded through other accelerated programs (i.e., AP, CLEP, credit by examination, etc.). To determine eligibility for IB credit, the student should request their IB transcript be sent directly to LSSC’s Registrar’s Office.

Cambridge Assessment International Education (AICE)

The Cambridge Assessment International Education (AICE) program is an international, advanced secondary curriculum and assessment program equivalent to the British system of “A-Levels.” AS- Level courses are comprised of curriculum lasting one academic year. A-Level courses encompass all AS-Level curriculum as well as additional topics. A-Level coursework is completed over two academic years. Course equivalencies and related information is available on the Florida Department of Education’s Credit-By-Exam Equivalencies list.