DSST Credits

In order to see if you have earned Penn State credit based on your DSST exam performance, please search the list of tests by subject. The list outlines the exact course credit you will receive at Penn State for results equivalent to the American Council on Education (ACE) recommended score or higher. This evaluation of credits awarded is subject to change and may be reviewed and revised periodically by Penn State faculty.

The list outlines the exact course credit you will receive at Penn State for the score received on the exam. The awarded credit may apply as general credit, may count as credit for a particular course and/or requirement, or may allow you to advance to the next in a series of courses or take an honors-level course. General credits may be awarded when the content of an DSST Exam is not the substantial equivalent of material covered in a specific University course. General credits may be used to fulfill degree requirements in any area; such use is not necessarily limited to General Education or elective requirements. General credits are applied to a student’s program of study in accordance with the procedures established by the college of enrollment. Information on the use of general credits or specific course credits earned by DSST Exams in individual programs of study may be obtained from a student’s academic adviser or from the office of the dean of a student’s college.

Students earning credit through DSST Exams cannot earn duplicate credit in the same subject, and the DSST credit must be useful in a student's program of study. Additionally, if credit is awarded, a student’s University record will carry notation of credit, but no grade will be recorded and credit will not affect a student’s grade-point average at Penn State.

Undergraduate students interested in receiving credit for DSST Exams should arrange for their official grade reports to be sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions from DSST.

Please be advised that a student’s tuition will increase when the Penn State transcript reflects 59.1 total credits. Credits earned from sources such as tests, like AP or IB exams, other colleges or universities, or military credit, are considered transfer credits and are included in the cumulative credit total. If the credits you are transferring or have transferred to Penn State place you above 59.1 total credits after the start of the semester, your tuition will increase immediately. You will receive a bill for the additional tuition on the first day of the following month. For more information, visit the Office of the Bursar's website.