Veterans can receive up to 60 transfer credits for military experience. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military experience and provides a transcript with credit recommendations. To receive an evaluation of courses taken through the Army, Navy, or Marines, a student must request that the official transcript be mailed to St. Mary’s University.

Go to the ACE Transfer Guide page to learn more and request a transcript.

Military Credits for military education are awarded via recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE). These credits may be used for general electives. Please see the Minnesota Veterans Licensure Certification website for details. These credits do not apply toward the 62 credits required from a regionally accredited institution.

To receive an evaluation of courses taken through the Air Force, students must request a transcript from the Community College of the Air Force. Military credits from the Community College of the Air Force do apply toward the 62 credits required from a regionally accredited institution.

Students may receive up to 60 credits for successful completion of standardized college-level examinations taken through the CLEP and DSST programs. Credit awards for specific examinations are made via recommendations of ACE and College Board. Examination credits may be used to fulfill general education competency areas, or to meet general elective requirements. CLEP and DSST examination credits do not apply toward the 62 accredited college/university credits required for graduation. Previously completed CLEP and DSST examination credits may be transferred when students enter the university’s undergraduate program. Examinations may also be taken concurrently with undergraduate course work. Credits cannot be awarded if the test subject area duplicates previously earned credit or major core content.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students may earn semester credits through the (CLEP). The CLEP General Examinations measure college-level knowledge in the basic areas of the liberal arts and the subject examinations measure knowledge in specific content areas. CLEP tests are given in computer-based format, and scores are reported upon completion of the test. A test administration fee is payable to CLEP at the time of testing. Enrolled students are charged an administrative fee for posting the examination credits to their university transcript. If a test is not passed, a waiting period of six months is required before re-testing in the same subject. Examination information, including study guides and practice tests, are available online at the CLEP website: www.collegeboard.com/clep.

Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Students may earn semester credits through the DSST examination program, formerly DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support). The DSST exams are similar to the CLEP exams, but cover additional subject areas. DSST tests are paper exams, and scores are reported three to five weeks after the test is completed. A test administration fee is payable to DSST at the time of testing, and enrolled students are charged an administrative fee for posting the examination credits to their university transcript. Non-students pay a testing fee to Saint Mary’s in addition to the DSST fee at the time of testing. If the test is not passed, a six month waiting period is required before re-testing in the same subject. Examination information, including a list of test subject areas, fact sheets, and practice tests, are available online at the DSST website, www.getcollegecredit.com.

The Saint Mary¹s University community recognizes that many students come to the university with college-level competencies that have been developed outside the traditional college classroom. Students may obtain college credit for such competencies by participating in the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

Students seeking credit through the PLA process must first discuss this option with their academic advisor to determine if this is an appropriate choice for them. Students that are recommended by their advisor to participate in the PLA process are required to take a three credit course in which they create a portfolio with evidence of their learning. The PLA portfolio is assessed by a PLA review board for credit. Students may be granted up to 45 credits for their PLA portfolios.