Yet Another Pathway to College Completion: CLEP Exams

ABSTRACT

This article highlights the College Level Examination Program – or CLEP – from the College Board, as another pathway for students to earn college credits toward degree completion. The renewal of interest in alternative pathways to degree attainment has come about in response to yet another round of national studies reporting declining rates of college degree completion in U.S. institutions of higher education. Degree attainment is important because of the growing demand within our nation’s economy for a trained workforce that requires students to gain skills from completing postsecondary education programs. Meanwhile, degree completion rates continue to define institutional performance, state funding formulas, and local economies. The CLEP may provide high school students the opportunity to significantly reduce the time and costs of college resulting in higher completion rates for community colleges.