NOTE: UA Little Rock is not a testing center for DSST.
University Credit-by-Policy 503.5
What is DSST?
DSST is an extensive series of examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate college courses. These tests are frequently used in conjunction with CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests by students pursuing college degrees in non-traditional formats. Whereas CLEP tests are almost exclusively used for lower-level credit at regionally accredited institutions, DSST’s are available for both upper and lower-level credit.
Prometric administers Internet-based versions of DSSTs under contract with the Defense Department (for military personnel) or on a fee basis (for civilians).
DSST Official Score Report/Transcript Required
UA Little Rock requires the submission of an official score report/transcript that is sent directly from DSST. We cannot accept a fax, photocopy, student report, or other form.
Before you purchase and request a score report:
- check the table below to see if the test you took is accepted for credit at UA Little Rock, and
- if you achieved the required score.
This table refers to DSST tests ONLY. If you took a CLEP test through DANTES, refer to the CLEP Information section.
One must wait 90 days before retaking the same exam.
| DSST Test Title by UA Little Rock department | Required Score (prior to 2008) | Required Score (2008 to present) | Credit Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | |||
| Principles of Financial Accounting | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Anthropology | |||
| General Anthropology | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Art | |||
| Art of the Western World | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Astronomy | |||
| Astronomy | 48 | 400 | ASTR 1301, Introduction to Astronomy |
| Biology/Environmental Health Sciences | |||
| Environmental Science (formerly Environment and Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet) | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit as of 8/28/2018. (Prior Credit: ENHS 2320, Introduction to Environmental Health Sciences) |
| Criminal Justice | |||
| Criminal Justice | 58 | 400 | CRJU 2300, Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Educational Leadership | |||
| Foundations of Education | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Economics and Finance | |||
| Business Mathematics | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Money and Banking | 48 | 400 | ECON 2323, Principles of Macroeconomics |
| Personal Finance | 46 | 400 | FINC 2300, Personal Finance |
| Principles of Finance | n/a | 434 | FINC 3310, Business Finance |
| Geology/Earth Science | |||
| Introduction to Geology | n/a | n/a | Not currently accepted for credit. |
| Health Sciences | |||
| Substance Abuse (Prior to 2008, Drug and Alcohol Abuse) | 49 | 400 | Not Accepted for credit as of June 2018. Prior Credit: HSCI 3377, Drug Education |
| Here’s to Your Health | 48 | 400 | HSCI 1370, Personal Health |
| History | |||
| Civil War and Reconstruction | n/a | 434 | HIST 3355, Civil War and Reconstruction, 1848-1876 |
| History of the Soviet Union | n/a | 434 | HIST 3326, The Soviet Union and Russia Since 1917 |
| History of the Vietnam War | n/a | 434 | HIST 4390, Special Topics: Vietnam War |
| Introduction to Geography | 48 | 434 | GEOG 2312, Cultural Geography |
| Introduction to the Modern Middle East | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Western Europe Since 1945 | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Management | |||
| Human Resource Management | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Introduction to Business | 46 | 400 | MGMT 1300, Introduction to Business |
| Introduction to Computing | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Management Information Systems | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Organizational Behavior | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Principles of Supervision | 46 | 400 | MGMT 2300, Supervisory Management |
| Marketing | |||
| Business Law II | — | — | Note: A final decision has not yet been made on this test. |
| Mathematics | |||
| Fundamentals of College Algebra (May repeat once every 90 days) | 47 | 400 | MATH 1302, College Algebra |
| Math for Liberal Arts | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Principles of Statistics | 48 | 400 | STAT 2350, Introduction to Statistical Methods |
| Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies | |||
| Business Ethics and Society (May not be repeated) | 400 | PHIL 3340, Business Ethics | |
| Ethics in America | 46 | 400 | PHIL 2320, Ethics and Society |
| Introduction to World Religions | 48 | 400 | RELS 2305, World Religions |
| Physics and Astronomy | |||
| Astronomy(May repeat once every 90 days) | n/a | 400 | ASTR 1301, Intro to Astronomy |
| Principles of Physical Science I | 47 | 400 | PHYS 1310, Physical Concepts |
| Psychology | |||
| Fundamentals of Counseling | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology | n/a | n/a | Not accepted for credit |
| Rhetoric and Writing | |||
| Technical Writing | 46 and pass essay | 400 and pass essay | RHET 3316, Writing for the Workplace or RHET 3326, Technical Writing. *Essay requirements below |
*DSST Technical Writing Exam Essay Requirements for RHET 3316/3326 Credit
- Any student wishing to place out of 3316/3326 must submit proof of a passing score on the DANTES/DSST Technical Writing exam.
- After proof of a passing score is received, the department will require that the student provide a minimum of five pages from one or more technical documents to which the student contributed in a significant way. There is no maximum page limit, since a student may wish to provide extensive documentation as context for evaluation. However, the student should identify specific sections of the document(s) for evaluation, limited to no more than ten pages. Ideally, this submitted writing should include evidence of the student’s skills in:
- Document design
- Identifying and targeting a specific audience
- Creating a clear sense of purpose for the document
- Organizing complex technical information
- Along with the writing sample, the student will submit a 250-500 word description of the audience, purpose, and any other general context for the document. This description might also include some discussion of the student’s role in producing the document. Although this second piece of writing need not cover all of the following questions, they may be useful as guides to the student:
- Why was this document produced?
- What role did you play in producing it?
- Was it produced collaboratively? If so, describe the collaboration.
- Provide a brief audience analysis: what did you think your client wanted and needed in the document?
- Did your thoughts change as you revised the document?
- How did your final draft of the document meet the needs of the client?
- What did you learn from writing this document?
- Does this document reflect your growth as a writer? If so, how?