College Level Examination Program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean D. Smith
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The College-Level Examination Program is an opportunity for individuals to earn college credit for 33 subjects by taking passing examinations. Most service members are aware of this program, but some may not realize how easy it is to take advantage of it. One of the resources available at Minot Air Force Base is the CLEP preparation program.

"We start by picking a class," said Master Sgt. Nancy Auger, 5th Medical Group acting first sergeant. "Like this month we're going to teach speech. I organize the location and find a teacher for it. It's always at lunchtime, noon to 1 p.m. -- Easy."

Auger's sessions are a review of material that students are able to access themselves in the CLEP preparation books available at the base library.

"In the class you hear it, then you go home and study it on your own," Auger said. "It really gives you that leg up to take and pass a CLEP."

Auger is a firm believer in CLEPs as a means of getting college credit quickly and cheaply.
"I personally have taken 18 CLEPs and have never failed one of them," Auger said. "So I personally am a huge fan of CLEP, and I want to help more Airmen take advantage of them."

Credits earned through CLEP can be used in pursuit of a college degree, or they can be used purely for career advancement.

"If you know that you're going to submit a quarterly award or something, you can go and take a test just to strengthen your package," Auger said. "You can study the CLEP book for your class over the weekend, take the test Tuesday and you have three college credits just like that."

Though CLEP credits have multiple uses, the true purpose of the program is to help Airmen get their Community College of the Air Force associate degrees.

"I ask people in the hall, do you have your CCAF yet? What do you need to get it?" Auger said.
There's usually a class each month, either in the Pride Building or the 5th MDG to keep the classes centrally located.

"I think we've had participants from every single unit on base," Auger said. "We've been doing this for over a year. Getting your CCAF is like accomplishing two years in college, and it's hugely advantageous in your career. Why not knock it out while it's free?"

Airmen interested in participating can e-mail Master Sgt. Auger to request a particular CLEP preparation session. Once a class is scheduled, they can also contact her to sign up.