| The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a | | | | periods. Earning college credit, while enlisted, can |
| way for individuals to earn college credit, for | | | | prepare these individuals for better and more fulfilling |
| knowledge they have acquired on their own, instead | | | | careers once they leave the military. Instead of |
| of spending hours in college classrooms. Taking a | | | | enrolling in traditional colleges or online colleges, and |
| CLEP test offers a great way for military personnel | | | | spending the time, money and effort of reporting to |
| to earn undergraduate college credit while enlisted. | | | | class for years afterward, CLEP offers a way for |
| The CLEP exams are multiple choice or fill in answers. | | | | these individuals to go straight into a promising career |
| The CLEP test is also broken down into two | | | | of their choice after military life has ended. Some |
| categories: Subject and General. Subject exams | | | | military bases now offer testing centers on site. If a |
| cover very specific topics, whereas general exams | | | | base does not have a CLEP testing center on site, |
| cover a more broad evaluation. The credits awarded | | | | the exam can be taken at many college campuses |
| range from three to six based on the exam. | | | | nationwide. |
| Currently, there are thirty-four tests available for | | | | A great benefit to earning college credit from CLEP, |
| CLEP credit. There are also many resources online to | | | | for military personnel, is many currently enlisted can |
| aid in studying for each exam, as well as textbooks, | | | | take the CLEP exams for free. Much of the |
| study guides and practice tests. | | | | personnel is eligible for military-funding for CLEP, as |
| For many of the enlisted military, taking formal | | | | well as civilian employees of the Department of |
| college courses may not be a possibility, due to | | | | Defense, and even the spouses and children of |
| deployments, changing work schedules, and training | | | | members of the reserves. This is a great advantage |
| periods. CLEP has made earning college credits for | | | | compared to the rising rates of traditional college |
| these individuals, not only a possibility, but a true | | | | courses. Tuition, books, and fees can cost thousands |
| resolution. Enlisted military personnel can now study | | | | of dollars a semester, simply to learn the same |
| on their own time and at their own pace for each | | | | material at a guided pace, instead of own your own |
| CLEP exams. Using the CLEP study resources | | | | as with CLEP. Of the thirty-four offered exams, the |
| available, enlisted military personnel can study material | | | | military education fund called Defense Activity for |
| after work, between assignments, while on | | | | Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) covers |
| deployments, and during the down time of training | | | | all of them. |