Academic Credit for Prior Learning

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.