Back

The Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Students program was originally a testing program for the military. DSST is for anyone who is already enrolled in college, thinking of going back to school or graduating high school.  Similar to the CLEP program, it enables students to receive up to 30 semester hours of course credit by achieving passing scores on each exam.

A student may submit acceptable scores from a DANTES/dsst exam in order to receive credit only in those subjects in which the student has not earned academic credit. Enrolled students are eligible to take examinations only if they have not attempted the course. Students will not receive credit by examination for a course in which they have received failing grades or for a basic course in an area in which they have acceptable college credit for more advanced courses.

New students may want to arrange to take the test(s) during orientation or prior to regular registration in order to facilitate their advising and enrollment. Test results are normally not reported for three weeks, but with advance notice the Testing Office can arrange with the student to expedite the scoring process in order to meet registration deadlines.

Fees

The total cost for each test is $100, payable in two parts: a fee of $85 per test, in check or money order made payable to DANTES/dsst or call into company with credit card, and $15 in cash or check paid to Sul Ross State University for the administration. The $85 test fee must be paid prior to testing, so the test can be ordered.  The $15 proctor fee can be paid the day of the test.

When

DANTES/dsst tests will be available throughout the school year. A reservation for a test date must be made at least 10 days in advance so the test can be ordered. Contact the Office of Career Services and Testing to reserve a test date.

Tests Offered

Sul Ross State University grants credit for the following DANTES/dsst exams:

Exams

Course Equivalent

Credit Hours

Min. Score

Humanities

Ethics in America

Philosophy 1302

3

46

Technical Writing

English 2304

3

46

Social Studies

The Civil War and Reconstruction

History 1301

3

47

Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Psychology 2310

3

46

General Anthropology

Anthropology 1301

3

47

Introduction to Law Enforcement

Criminal Justice 1301

3

45

Business

Introduction to Business

General Business 1353

3

46

Principles of Finance

Finance 3340

3

46

Principles of Financial Accounting

Accounting 3332

3

49

Human Resource Management

Management 3363

3

48

Organizational Behavior

Management 4361

3

48

Money and Banking

Economics 3300

3

48

Personal Finance

Finance 3341

3

46

Computer Science

Introduction to Computing

Computer Science 2305

3

47

Physical Science

Astronomy (not a lab course)

Astronomy 1401

3

48

Physical Geology

Geology 1401

3

46

Math

Principles of Statistics

General Business 3352

3

46