At BHSU, we will accept up to 30 credit hours of non-traditional course work and training. These can come from different sources such as DANTES and ACE Credits. We will be happy to work with you to access your current transcript and what can be used to match the requirements of the program you are interested in pursuing.
The first step in claiming the credits you have earned is to request a transcript from your military service. Each service will provide unofficial personal copies and send BHSU an official copy of your transcript at no charge. Each service branch has its own system for recording military education and experience credits:
The Army employs the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System
(AARTS). AARTS automatically captures your academic credits from military training,
and Standardized tests and provides a transcript in civilian language. The AARTS system
is available for enlisted soldiers only. Visit the ArmyIgnited to learn more.
Army Officers must use the form DD 295 (Application for the Evaluation of Learning
Experiences During Military Service) to report their military training and experience.
If interested in applying for Federal Tuition Assistance please review the Tuition Assistance section.
The Navy and Marine Corps utilize the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education
Registry Transcript (SMART) system. This system provides a description of your military
schooling and work history, and standardized test scores. You do not have to be active
duty to utilize the SMART system.
If interested in applying for Federal Tuition Assistance please review the Tuition Assistance section, or go to Navy College Program.
The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) automatically captures your training,
experience, and standardized test scores. This transcript is available for all current
and former active duty, guard, and reserve Air Force members. Transcript information
may be viewed at the CCAF website.
If interested in applying for Federal Tuition Assistance please review the Tuition Assistance section, or go to Air University.
The Coast Guard Institute (CGI) requires each service member to submit documentation
of all training (except correspondence course records), along with an enrollment form,
to receive a transcript. Visit the Coast Guard Voluntary Education web page to learn more about the specific requirements.
If interested in applying for Federal Tuition Assistance please review the Tuition Assistance section, or go to the USCG education website.
Under most circumstances, Veterans are eligible to use their former service branches’
transcript program. However, if you are not eligible for AARTS, SMART, CCAF, or CGI systems, you will need to fill out form DD-295 and provide your DD-214 Discharge
Document to receive credit for your experience.
Visit Military.com for links to commonly used Military & VA Forms.
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program provides an opportunity for students to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom. BHSU administers the DSST exams year-round in the Office for Academic Success
The following is a list of DSST tests along with the minimum scores acceptable for granting college credit within the South Dakota Public University System.
Black Hills State University - Credit by Examination Program
| CLEP Exam Title | Required Score | Credit Hours | BHSU Course | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Financial Accounting | 49 | 3 | ACCT 210 | Principles of Accounting I |
| Anthropology, General | 47 | 3 | ANTH 210 | Cultural Anthropology |
| Art of the Western World | 48 | — | — | Decision pending |
| Finance, Principles of | 46 | 3 | BADM 310 | Business Finance |
| Business Law II | 52 | 3 | BADM 351 | Business Law |
| Organizational Behavior | 48 | — | — | Decision pending |
| Principles of Supervision | 46 | 3 | BADM | Electives |
| Business, Introduction to | 46 | 3 | BADM | Electives |
| Personal Finance | 46 | 3 | BADM | Electives |
| Criminal Justice | 49 | 3 | CJUS 201 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | 45 | 3 | CJUS | Electives |
| Money and Banking | 48 | 3 | ECON 330 | Money and Banking |
| Education, Foundations of | 46 | 1-2 | EDFN 338 | Foundations/American Education |
| Writing, Technical | 46 | 3 | ENGL 379 | Technical Communication |
| Geography, Human/Cultural | 48 | 3 | GEOG 101 | Intro to Geography |
| Geology, Physical | 46 | 3 | GEOL 201 | Physical Geology |
| Western Europe 1945 | 48 | 3 | HIST | Electives |
| Introduction to Modern Middle East | 44 | 3 | HIST 313 | History of the Middle East |
| Civil War & Reconstruction | 47 | 3 | HIST 455 | American Civil War & Reconstruction |
| A History of Vietnam War | 49 | 3 | HIST 459 | Vietnam War, 1945-1975 |
| Human Resource Management | 46 | 3 | BADM 417 | Human Resource Management |
| Introduction to World Religions | 49 | 3 | REL 250 | World Religion |
| Environment & Humanity: Race to Save Planet | 46 | 3 | SCI | Electives |
| Fundamentals of College Algebra | 47 | 3 | MATH 102 | College Algebra |
| Statistics, Principles of | 48 | 3 | MATH 281 | Introduction to Statistics |
| Computing, Introduction to | 47 | 3 | MIS 105 | Introduction to Computers |
| Management Information Systems | 46 | 3 | MIS 325 | Management Information Systems |
| Public Speaking, Principles of | 47 | 3 | SPCM 101 | Fundamentals of Speech |
| Ethics in America | 46 | 3 | PHIL 220 | Introduction to Ethics |
| Principles of Physical Science I | 47 | 3 | PHSI | Electives |
| Astronomy | 48 | 2-3 | PHYS 185 | Introduction to Astronomy |
| Psychology Lifespan Developmental | 46 | 3 | PSYC 221 | Lifespan Develop. Psychology |
| Fundamentals of Counseling | 45 | 3 | PSYC | Electives |
| Here's to Your Health | 48 | — | WEL 100 | Wellness for Life |