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Academic Credit for Prior Learning

Prior Learning Assessment

Community Colleges of Spokane values the college-level knowledge students may have acquired outside the traditional college classroom. You may have acquired this knowledge through your past work, independent reading and study, training programs or in-service courses, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies and recreational pastimes, community or religious activities, organizational memberships, adult education, non-credit courses, study abroad, military training not evaluated for credit by ACE, or other experiences.

Prior learning assessment enables you to articulate this knowledge and potentially earn credit for it. Methods for evaluating prior learning include Advanced Placement examination (AP); Armed Forces-Military Education and Experience evaluation (ACE); Articulation; Cambridge International examination (CI); Challenge examinations; College Level Examination Program (CLEP); DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST); Industry Training, Certifications and Licensures evaluation; International Baccalaureate examination (IB); and portfolio evaluation.

Students who have been accepted to attend SCC, SFCC or the off-campus centers, are eligible for prior learning assessment consideration. No assurances of the number of credits awarded can be made prior to CCS review. While evaluation may occur before starting coursework, credit will be granted only once the student has completed 10-quarter credits in residence at CCS.

For more information, contact SCC at acpl@scc.spokane.edu, or SFCC at acpl@sfcc.spokane.edu.

Prior Learning Credit Awards

  • Are subject to departmental approval.
  • May be used to meet appropriate graduation requirements.
  • Do not count toward the residence credit requirement.
  • Will not satisfy credit load requirements for the purposes of veterans benefit program funding or any other student financial assistance program.
  • May be granted for prior learning/experiential learning following completion of a portfolio class and/or evaluation of the prior learning/experiential learning.
  • Must be obtained using methods approved by the appropriate department chair or designated department faculty member in the discipline for which credit is sought.
  • Must not exceed 25% of the credits needed for a degree and may be further limited by specific degree requirements if the credit is for prior experiential learning.

Process and Fees

Official score reports should be submitted to the Transcript Office of SCC, SFCC, or the off-campus centers. Credit awards will not be granted if the student is currently enrolled in or has successfully completed or earned credit for the course.

Students complete the Application for Prior Learning Assessment form. For some prior learning assessment, there is a nonrefundable fee payable in advance at the Cashier's Office. No fee is required for credit awarded through AP, Articulation, CI, CLEP, DSST, IB, or military education.

Advanced Placement(AP)

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College will award unrestricted elective credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official AP results, not transcript notation.

AP Test AP Score SCC/SFCC Course and Credits
(credits listed are the minimum awarded per score)
African American Studies 3 Humanities or Social Sciences Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities or Social Sciences Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities or Social Sciences Distribution (5)
Art: Art History 3 ART& 100 (5)
  4 ART& 100 (5)
  5 ART& 100 (5)
Art: Studio Art - Drawing 3 Elective (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Art: 2D Design 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Art: 3D Design 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Biology 3 BIOL& 160 (5)
  4 BIOL& 160 (5)
  5 BIOL& 160 (5)
Calculus AB 3 MATH& 151 (5)
  4 MATH& 151 (5)
  5 MATH& 151 (5)
Calculus BC 3 MATH& 151, MATH& 152 (5)
  4 MATH& 151, MATH& 152 (5)
  5 MATH& 151, MATH& 152 (5)
Chemistry 3 CHEM& 121, CHEM& 161 (5)
  4 CHEM& 121, CHEM& 161 (5)
  5 CHEM& 121, CHEM& 161, CHEM& 162 (10)
Chinese Language & Culture 3 CHIN& 121 (5)
  4 CHIN& 121, CHIN& 122 (5)
  5 CHIN& 121, CHIN& 122 , CHIN& 123 (10)
Computer Science A 3 Elective (5)
  4 CS& 141 (5)
  5 CS& 141 (5)
Computer Science Principles 3 Elective (5)
  4 Elective (5)
  5 Elective (5)
Economics: Micro 3 ECON& 201 (5)
  4 ECON& 201 (5)
  5 ECON& 201 (5)
Economics: Macro 3 ECON& 202 (5)
  4 ECON& 202 (5)
  5 ECON& 202 (5)
English: Lang & Comp 3 Elective (5)
  4 ENGL& 101 (5)
  5 ENGL& 101 (5)
English: Lit & Comp 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Environmental Science 3 Elective (5)
  4 ENVS& 101 (5)
  5 ENVS& 101 (5)
European History 3 HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST& 118 (5)
  4 HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST& 118 (5)
  5 HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST& 118 (5)
French Language & Culture 3 FRCH & 121 (5)
  4 FRCH & 121, FRCH & 122, (5)
  5 FRCH & 121, FRCH & 122, FRCH & 123 (10)
German Language & Culture 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (10)
US Government & Politics 3 POLS& 202 (5)
  4 POLS& 202 (5)
  5 POLS& 202 (5)
Comparative Government & Politics 3 POLS& 101 (5)
  4 POLS& 101 (5)
  5 POLS& 101 (5)
Human Geography 3 Elective (5)
  4 Elective (5)
  5 Elective (5)
Italian Language & Culture 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (10)
Japanese Language 3 JAPN& 121 (5)
  4 JAPN& 121, JAPN& 122 (5)
  5 JAPN& 121, JAPN& 122, JAPN& 123 (10)
Latin Literature & Culture 3 Humanities Distribution (5)
  4 Humanities Distribution (5)
  5 Humanities Distribution (5)
Music Theory 3 MUSC& 141 (5)
  4 MUSC& 141 (5)
  5 MUSC& 141 (5)
Pre-Calculus 3 MATH& 141 (5)
  4 MATH& 141, 142 (5)
  5 MATH& 141, 142 (10)
Physics 1 3 Science Distribution (5)
  4 Science Distribution (5)
  5 Science Distribution (5)
Physics 2 3 Science Distribution (5)
  4 Science Distribution (5)
  5 Science Distribution (5)
Physics C (Mechanics) 3 Science Distribution (5)
  4 Science Distribution (5)
  5 Science Distribution (5)
Physics C (Elect & Mag) 3 Science Distribution (5)
  4 Science Distribution (5)
  5 Science Distribution (5)
Psychology 3 PSYC& 100 (5)
  4 PSYC& 100 (5)
  5 PSYC& 100 (5)
Research 3 Elective (5)
  4 Elective (5)
  5 Elective (5)
Seminar 3 Elective (5)
  4 Elective (5)
  5 Elective (5)
Spanish Language & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 (5)
  4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 (5)
  5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122, SPAN& 123 (10)
Spanish Literature & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 (5)
  4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 (5)
  5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122, SPAN& 123 (10)
Statistics 3 MATH& 146 (5)
  4 MATH& 146 (5)
  5 MATH& 146 (5)
U.S. History 3 HIST& 136, HIST& 137 (5)
  4 HIST& 136, HIST& 137 (5)
  5 HIST& 136, HIST& 137 (10)
World History 3 Social Science Distribution (5)
  4 Social Science Distribution (5)
  5 Social Science Distribution (5)

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL (CI) TEST SCORE EQUIVALENCIES AT WASHINGTON COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES

The chart included on this page represents course equivalencies awarded for each Cambridge International (CI) exam score and recognized by all community and technical colleges in Washington. Colleges may award additional credits based on local policies, when appropriate, but should not award course equivalency credit for scores lower than those listed in this table. Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their IB exam credits.

4.60.53 Cambridge (CI) Washington state community and technical colleges will award unrestricted elective credit for a Cambridge (CI) score of E on A and AS level exams. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CI results, not transcript notation. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s CI credit policies; otherwise, elective credit will be granted.

Requirements of the Associate of Arts (AA) General Transfer degree allow ten (10) credits maximum from any single department for Humanities Social Sciences and Natural Sciences distribution requirements. A maximum of five (5) credits of World Language can be used for Humanities distribution.

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL (CI) TEST SCORE EQUIVALENCIES AT WASHINGTON COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
Name Exam Minimum Credit
Accounting A Level ACCT&201, ACCT&202, and ACCT&203 (15)
Accounting AS Level General electives (5)
Art & Design A Level Humanities distribution in art (10) and general electives (5)
Art & Design AS Level Humanities distribution in art (7.5)
Biology A Level Natural science distribution in biology, with lab (10) and general electives (5)
Biology AS Level Natural science distribution in biology, with lab (7.5)
Business A Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (10)
Business AS Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (2.5)
Chemistry A Level CHEM&161, CHEM&162, and CHEM&163 (15)
Chemistry AS Level Natural science distribution in chemistry, with lab (7.5)
Chinese A Level World language (10) and humanities distribution (5)
Chinese - Language AS Level World language (7.5)
Classical Studies A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
Classical Studies AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Computer Science A Level Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (10)
Computer Science AS Level Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (2.5)
Digital Media & Design A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
Digital Media & Design AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Drama A Level DRMA& 101 (5), humanities distribution (5), and general electives (5)
Drama AS Level DRMA& 101 (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
Economics A Level ECON&201 (5), ECON&202 (5), and general electives (5)
Economics AS Level Social science distribution in economics (7.5)
English - Language A Level General electives (15)
English - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
English - Language and Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
English - Literature A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
English - Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
English General Paper AS Level General electives (7.5)
Environmental Management AS Level Natural science distribution, with lab (7.5)
French A Level FRCH&121, FRCH&122, and FRCH&123 (15) …. UW awards 200-level credit
French - Language AS Level FRCH&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
Geography A Level Social science distribution (10) and general electives (5)
Geography AS Level Social science distribution (7.5)
German A Level GERM&121, GERM&122, and GERM&123 (15) …. UW gives primarily 300-level credit
German - Language AS Level GERM&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
Global Perspectives and Research A Level General electives (15)
Global Perspectives and Research AS Level General electives (7.5)
History A Level Humanities or social science distribution in history (10 in one or 5 in each) and general electives (5 to 10)
History AS Level H Humanities or social science distribution in history (7.5)
Japanese - Language AS Level World language (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
Marine Science A Level Natural science distribution, with lab (10) and general electives (5)
Marine Science AS Level Natural science distribution, with lab (7.5)
Mathematics A Level MATH&151 (5), MATH&152 (5), and mathematics electives (5)
Mathematics AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
Mathematics - Further A Level MATH&146 (5), MATH&153 (5), and mathematics electives (5)
Mathematics - Further AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
Media Studies A Level Humanities distribution in communication (10) and general electives (5)
Media Studies AS Level Humanities distribution in communication (7.5)
Music A Level Humanities distribution in music (10) and general electives (5)
Music AS Level Humanities distribution in music (7.5)
Physical Education A Level General electives (15)
Physical Education AS Level General electives (7.5)
Physics A Level PHYS&114, PHYS&115, and PHYS&116 (15)
Physics AS Level Natural science distribution in physics, with lab (7.5)
Psychology A Level PSYC&100 (5), social science distribution in psychology (5), and general electives (5)
Psychology AS Level Social science distribution in psychology (7.5)
Sociology A Level SOC&101 (5), social science distribution in sociology (5), and general electives (5)
Sociology AS Level Social science distribution in sociology (7.5)
Spanish A Level SPAN&121, 122, and 123 (15)
Spanish - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
Spanish - Literature AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
Thinking Skills A Level Humanities or social science distribution in philosophy (10 in one or 5 in each) and general electives (5 to 10)
Thinking Skills AS Level Humanities or social science distribution in philosophy (7.5)
For Cambridge exams that are not listed here (Afrikaans, Arabic, Divinity, Hindi, Hinduism, Information Technology, Islamic Studies, Law, Portuguese, Tamil, Travel & Tourism, or Urdu), please contact your college's Office of Admissions or Enrollment Services.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College will award credit for the following CLEP examinations with a minimum score of 50 or above as crosswalked below. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CLEP results, not transcript notation.

CLEP
Examination
CLEP
Score
SCC/SFCC
Course
Credits
BUSINESS
Financial Accounting 50 ACCT& 201 5
Info Systems and Computer Applications 50 CIS 110 or CS 101 5
Introductory Business Law 50 BUS& 201 5
Principles of Marketing 50 MMGT 211 5
COMPOSITION & LITERATURE
College Composition 50 APLED 121 4
HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES
American Government 50 POLS& 202 5
American History I 50 HIST& 136 5
American History II 50 HIST& 137 5
Human Growth and Development 50 PSYC& 200 5
Introductory Psychology 50 PSYC& 100 5
Intro to Macroeconomics 50 ECON& 202 5
Intro to Microeconomics 50 ECON& 201 5
Introductory Sociology 50 SOC& 101 5
Western Civilization I 50 HIST& 116 5
Western Civilization II 50 HIST& 118 5
MATHEMATICS
Calculus 50 MATH& 151 5
College Algebra 50 MATH 108 3
    or APLED 112 5
Pre-calculus 50 MATH& 141 5
WORLD LANGUAGES
French – Level 1 50 FRCH& 122 5
French – Level 2 59 FRCH& 122, 123 10
Spanish – Level 1 50 SPAN& 122 5
Spanish – Level 2 63 SPAN& 122, 123 10

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College will grant a minimum unrestricted elective credit for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) exam score of 4 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official IB results, not transcript notation.

Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their IB exam credits.

International Baccalaureate
SL or HL Examination
Score SCC/SFCC
(credits listed are the minimum awarded per score)
    Course Credits
African History 4
5
6
7
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
5
5
5
5
American History 4
5
6
7
HIST& 136, 137
HIST& 136, 137
HIST& 136, 137
HIST& 136, 137
5
5
5
5
Language A
Arabic A, Chinese A, French A, Japanese A, Russian A, Spanish A
4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
5
5
5
5
Language B
Arabic A, Chinese A, French A, Japanese A, Russian A, Spanish A
4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution: World Language
Humanities distribution: World Language
Humanities distribution: World Language
Humanities distribution: World Language
5
5
5
10
Art/Design 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
5
5
5
5
Biology 4
5
6
7
BIOL& 160
BIOL& 160
BIOL& 160
BIOL& 160
5
5
5
5
Business & Management 4
5
6
7
Business or Management elective
Business or Management elective
Business or Management elective
Business or Management elective
5
5
5
5
Chemistry 4
5
6
7
CHEM& 121
CHEM& 121, 161
CHEM& 121, 161, 162
CHEM& 121, 161, 162
5
5
5
5
Computer Science 4
5
6
7
CS& 141
CS& 141
CS& 141
CS& 141
5
5
5
5
Dance 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
5
5
5
5
Design Technology 4
5
6
7
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
5
5
5
5
East/Southeast Asia & Oceania History 4
5
6
7
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
Social Science distribution
5
5
5
5
Economics 4
5
6
7
Elective
ECON& 201
ECON& 201 and 202
ECON& 201 and 202
5
5
10
10
English A Literature 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
ENGL& 111
ENGL& 111
ENGL& 111
5
5
5
5
English A Language & Literature 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
ENGL& 101
ENGL& 101
ENGL& 101
5
5
5
5
Environmental Systems and Societies 4
5
6
7
Natural Science distribution
Natural Science distribution
Natural Science distribution
Natural Science distribution
5
5
5
5
European History 4
5
6
7
HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST 118
HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST 118
HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST 118
HIST& 116, HIST& 117, HIST 118
5
5
5
5
Film 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
5
5
5
5
Geography 4
5
6
7
Geography elective
Geography elective
Geography elective
Geography elective
5
5
5
5
Global Politics 4
5
6
7
Political Science elective
Political Science elective
Political Science elective
Political Science elective
5
5
5
5
Information Technology in a Global Society 4
5
6
7
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
5
5
5
5
Marine Science (SL only) 4
5
6
7
Science w/lab distribution
Science w/lab distribution
Science w/lab distribution
Science w/lab distribution
5
5
5
5
Mathematics 4
5
6
7
College-level Math distribution
MATH& 142
MATH& 142
MATH& 151
5
5
5
5
Further Mathematics 4
5
6
7
MATH& 142
MATH& 151
MATH& 151
MATH& 151
5
5
5
5
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL 4
SL 5
SL 6
SL 7
HL 4
HL 5
HL 6
HL 7
College-level Math distribution
College-level Math distribution
MATH& 107
MATH& 107
MATH& 141
MATH& 141
MATH& 142
MATH& 142
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL 4
SL 5
SL 6
SL 7
HL 4
HL 5
HL 6
HL 7
MATH& 107
MATH& 107
MATH& 141
MATH& 141
MATH& 142
MATH& 142
MATH& 151
MATH& 151
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Music 4
5
6
7
MUSC& 105
MUSC& 105
MUSC& 105
MUSC& 105
5
5
5
5
Philosophy 4
5
6
7
PHIL& 101
PHIL& 101
PHIL& 101
PHIL& 101
5
5
5
5
Physics 4
5
6
7
Physics elective
Physics elective
Physics elective
Physics elective
10
15
15
15
Psychology 4
5
6
7
PSYC& 100
PSYC& 100
PSYC& 100
PSYC& 100
5
5
5
5
Social & Cultural Anthropology 4
5
6
7
ANTH& 206
ANTH& 206
ANTH& 206
ANTH& 206
5
5
5
5
Sports, Exercise & Health Science 4
5
6
7
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
5
5
5
5
Theatre 4
5
6
7
DRMA& 101
DRMA& 101
DRMA& 101
DRMA& 101
5
5
5
5
Visual Arts 4
5
6
7
ART& 100
ART& 100
ART& 100
ART& 100
5
5
5
5
World Religions (SL only) 4
5
6
7
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
Humanities distribution
5
5
5
5

Other Prior Learning

Armed Forces - Military Education and Experience

The Armed Forces of the United States provide military personnel with a great variety of educational opportunities through formal service school training programs and off-duty educational activities. Upon departmental approval, credit may be granted for satisfactory completion of the following when it is specific and applicable to the student's program or degree:

  • Military service including basic training.
  • Military service schools in the amount recommended by the American Council of Education (ACE) in the publication, "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces."
  • United States Armed Forces Institute correspondence courses.
  • DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) using the minimum score and credit amount based on ACE credit recommendations.
  • Portfolio Assessment

Challenge Examinations

Students who wish to apply for a course challenge must be interviewed and approved through the instructional department. A course may not be challenged if the student is audited the CCS course. Not all courses are available for challenge. Not all departments offer challenge exams.

Industry Certifications and Licensures

Individuals who have completed training through non-degree awarding agencies or institutions may apply for evaluation for credit. Examples include recognized nursing and fire service training, law enforcement/corrections, or fire science academies and other certifications or licenses. Official documentation of training or licensure is required. All certifications or licenses must be current and valid, and training must be documented with ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training. If training is not documented with ACE, students should apply for credit using the portfolio and/or challenge examination methods. Credit awards are subject to departmental approval.

Follow the link to access an established crosswalk of industry certifications and licensures available at SCC.

Portfolio Evaluation

Students who wish to pursue credit by portfolio must enroll in and successfully complete a portfolio class (GENST 105). Students should have justification for their requests, such as a high school or college transcripts or detailed resumes and other pertinent documentation, prior to enrolling in the course. Normal credit charges apply for the portfolio course and a prior learning portfolio assessment fee will be charged upon portfolio course completion for prior learning credit awarded.

A portfolio is detailed documentation illustrating what students have been taught and successfully mastered. The required documentation varies from course to course, but may include samples of work, an essay explaining students' experiences and knowledge, or certificates showing successful completion of workshops or seminars.

In the portfolio class, faculty and staff members will help determine which courses are the best fit for the students' skills and will help develop student portfolios. The completed portfolio will be reviewed to determine what credit can be awarded. Once the number of credits attempted is determined, students must pay the appropriate assessment fee. Payment of fees is nonrefundable and does not guarantee award of credit.