ADMINISTRATIVE RULE NO: 4020-01

RELATED TO POLICY SERIES NO: 4020

TITLE: CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

PURPOSE
This rule provides guidance on how college credit for previous learning is determined. Credit for prior learning may be awarded through the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Nationally Administered Standardized Tests, Challenge Exams, Military Credit, and Professional Licensure

STATEMENT
Transcripting Credit for Prior Learning
Credit awarded for prior learning will be posted on the student’s academic transcript in accordance with the standards of the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers.

Credit By Exam
Students may earn credit for prior learning through standardized or locally developed examinations. LBCC awards credits for courses taught at LBCC as listed in the current catalog. LBCC follows statewide recommendations for awarding credit through the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. A grid outlining how credit will be awarded is maintained on the LBCC website.

Standardized Exams:

Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who complete college-level work in high school under the Advanced Placement Program sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board and who receive satisfactory grades (3, 4 or 5) in examinations administered by the board may, on admission to LBCC, be granted comparable credit towards a degree. All examinations are subject to review and approval by the appropriate college division. Students must request that official Advanced Placement scores be forwarded to the Admissions Office.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
LBCC recognizes IB achievement by awarding credit to students who score 5 or above on higher level IB exams. In order for credit to be awarded, official IB test scores must be sent to LBCC on admission to the college.

Nationally Administered Standardized Tests
LBCC is an approved open center for administration of College Level Examination Program (CLEP). LBCC accepts CLEP scores for college credit, which may be posted to transcripts under "advanced standing."

LBCC Developed Exams (Challenge Exams)
Students may demonstrate mastery of specified LBCC course content at the prerogative of the individual department and/or division. Students pay a fee associated with the cost of administering this process...

  1. A master list of courses for which credit may be granted by a challenge exam is updated annually by each college division.
  2. All locally prepared examinations and competency requirements must be on file in the college's Student Assessment Center one term prior to being offered. Each examination will be checked for reliability and validity.
  3. Examinations will be administered by the Student Assessment Center. Skill testing in specific disciplines must meet the competence requirement on file in the testing area for the specific course.
  4. Each course available through credit by examination shall have a published summary of course content and student learning outcomes.
  5. Applications must be received within the first week of a term. Forms are available in the Registration Office. The credit by examination processing fee must also be paid at that time. The fee is non-refundable and is not transferable to another term.
  6. The examination must be completed by the end of the tenth week. This may not be applicable if the student is not required to register for the course.
  7. The Registration Office will include the course credit information on the student’s transcript.

Military Credit
LBCC grants up to a maximum of 25% of the credits needed for a degree or certificate programs of 45 credits or more. Students may request evaluation of military credit by furnishing the Office of Admissions with a Joint Service Transcript (JST). Service members who present a DD-214 or JST will be awarded three LBCC physical education activity credits. Student may need to provide an official ACE transcript. Separate transcripts from the US Coast Guard can also be provided and evaluated for credit.

Professional Licensure
Credit may be granted for a professional license and may replace up to 25% of the program credits toward the AAS degree, or certificate program of 45 credits or more. The student will meet with the program faculty to determine the appropriate courses for which the student will receive credit.

DATE OF ADOPTION: 1/13/11
DATE(S) OF REVISION(S): 10/3/13, 5/5/16. 4/2/2020
DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 9/5/13, 5/5/16