By Lariza Moreno/reporter
Students who are fluent in a foreign language can take an exam to receive credit instead of taking a course.
TCC gives credit for 20 of the 33 College Level Exemption Program exams administered, but foreign language has been the most popular. Spanish, German and French CLEP exams allow students to earn up to 14 credit hours. The exam costs $80 along with a $15 TCC administration fee.
Students must have completed one full semester at TCC and be enrolled when the exam is taken.
Successful completion of the exam will result in a class credit, which will not affect the grade point average.
April Wagnon, NE student development assistant, said credits can transfer to the university students are attending or plan to attend.
“We will provide you with the service,” she said. “For first-time college students, you would need to have a successful semester to be able to take the exam.”
There is a $25 fee to post it on a transcript, and results can take up to six to eight weeks. The credit hours officially earned will not be visible on a transcript until the end of the semester.
South student Olga Becerra said she plans to transfer to a four-year university and looks forward to taking the CLEP exam.
“I think this is a great idea,” she said. “I think it’s a great way to save time and money for native speakers like myself and many others.”
Tommie L. Reyes, NW student development associate, said students don’t often know about this opportunity, so language professors and counselors will often recommend it.
“Two years of Spanish for under $200, and it’s not even the price of one class and books,” she said. “This spring, I did a workshop and put it out there. I’m all for it. It’s cheaper for students. We definitely think we need to educate more students and encourage them to take it.”
CLEP exams are administered by appointment only and are available throughout the fall and spring semesters. Testing dates and times vary on each campus.
Students can contact any campus testing center for more information.
