DSST Examination Program

The University of Arizona accepts DSST exam scores (as well as College-Level Examination Program, Advanced Placement, Cambridge International, and International Baccalaureate exam scores) as a basis for awarding credit toward a degree. The examinations offered through the DSST test students' mastery of college-level material acquired in ways other than formal course work, such as self-study, extracurricular activities, or living abroad. DSST examinations may be utilized by nontraditional learners, military service members and veterans, as well as traditional students. The examinations are increasingly valuable to degree-seeking students as a means of satisfying certain course or subject area requirements, or for earning elective credits without enrolling in those courses.

Prospective and currently enrolled students utilizing these examinations cannot earn credit through DSST for subjects or courses equivalent to, or at a lower level than, other courses for which they have already earned credit through formal course work. Students should consult with their academic advisor to make sure they are eligible to take a specific subject exam.

The University of Arizona accepts DSST for college credit, providing satisfactory scores are attained. Passing scores for subjects credited through the DSST are recorded simply as CR (credit), and may not necessarily be stated in terms of a specific course equivalent. No record is made of failing scores. Units earned through DSST and other exams (i.e., AP, IB, CIE, CLEP, department competency/proficiency exams, and special exams) cannot exceed 60 units for a baccalaureate degree.

DSST credit is considered credit by examination at the UA. Credit is determined from the DSST credit table that applies to the date when you took the exam. Credits you earn based on your exam performance may be counted toward your major or minor fields of study or General Education requirements. See the DSST credit table below, and contact a UA academic advisor to confirm course credit towards specific programs.

For further information regarding DSST at the University of Arizona, contact:

Office of Admissions and New Student Enrollment
The University of Arizona
PO Box 210040
Tucson, AZ 85721-0040

Phone: (520) 621-3237
Email: appinfo@arizona.edu

2020-2021 DSST Exam Table

APPLICATION TO UA DEGREE
DSST Exam name	Score	General Education and Foundations	Course Credit	DSST Credit
Art of the Western World	400 or Better	T2 Arts	ARH201	3 units
Astronomy		None	None	0 units
Business Ethics and Society		None	None	0 units
Business Mathematics		None	None	0 units
Civil War and Reconstruction	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Computing & Information Technology		None	None	0 units
Criminal Justice	400 or Better	None	PA241	3 units
Environmental Science	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Ethics in America	400 or Better	None	None	0 units
Ethics in Technology	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Foundations of Education	400 or Better	None	TLS departmental elective credit	3 units
Fundamentals of College Algebra		None	None	0 units
Fundamentals of Counseling	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity	400 or Better	None	CYBV departmental elective credit	3 units
General Anthropology		None	None	0 units
Health and Human Development	400 or Better	None	FSHD departmental elective credit	3 units
History of the Soviet Union	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
History of the Vietnam War	400 or better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Human Resource Management		None	None	0 units
Introduction to Business	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Introduction to Geography	400 or Better	T1 Individuals & Societies	GEOG 150B1	3 units
Introduction to Geology	400 or Better	T1 NATS	GEOS 170A1	3 units
Introduction to Law Enforcement	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Introduction to World Religions		None	None	0 units
Lifespan Developmental Psychology	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Management Information Systems		None	None	0 units
Math for Liberal Arts		None	None	0 units
Money and Banking		None	None	0 units
Organizational Behavior	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Personal Finance		None	None	0 units
Principles of Advanced English Composition		None	None	0 units
Principles of Finance	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units
Principles of Public Speaking	400 or Better	None	COMM119	3 units
Principles of Statistics		None	None	0 units
Principles of Supervision	400 or Better	None	LDRV departmental elective credit	3 units
Substance Abuse		None	None	0 units
Technical Writing	400 or Better	None	Elective credit	3 units

Students have the option of using their exam score for Gen Ed/Foundations or for specific non-Gen Ed/Foundations course credit. This option should be exercised with the assistance of a college advisor.