DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST)

DSSTs provide an opportunity for people to obtain college credit for what they have learned in nontraditional ways.

Designed originally for the military, DSSTs are available to civilian students and adult learners as well. The DSST program is used by colleges and universities to award college credit to those who demonstrate that they have knowledge comparable to someone who completed a classroom course in the subject.

Credits may be acquired through the DSST examinations. These credits may be used to fill General Education Requirements, and may also be accepted as equivalent to specific courses.

Individual departments and/or colleges may specify the exact courses required to fill their requirements and may require more than the minimum General Education requirements. Some departments and colleges require specific coursework for General Education, which the DSST exams may not satisfy.

If, prior to (or after) taking a DSST examination, a student receives credit (including AP credit) for any coursework equivalent to the subject matter of a DSST examination, the number of credits earned for the course will be deducted from the credits awarded for the examination.

USU will accept a maximum of 30 total credits from CLEP, DSST, and cooperative education/internship credit combined.

Other institutions have policies differing from those of USU regarding DSST scores and credits granted for those scores. For transfer students with less than an associate degree, DSST credit posted to another institution’s transcript is reevaluated based on USU’s standard.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) Credit Allocation