Credit for Prior Learning and Official Transfer Credit

Martin Community College (MCC) awards credit to students for prior learning through non-credit coursework and from previously completed instruction transferred from accredited institutions of higher learning, work-based learning programs, and skill-based experiences related to a program of study (BOT adopted policy, July 2022). 

Official Transfer Credit from an accredited institution of higher learning is transcripted into the student’s college academic record once the Registrar’s Office receives an official transcript from an accredited institution. Once official transcripts are received by the Registrar from an accredited institution, the Registrar’s Office reviews these transcripts for courses that the student earned a “C” or better. The Registrar automatically transfers the “C” or better course credit if it aligns with an equivalent MCC course within the MCC Catalog. If the student perceives that other courses are equivalent and should receive credit, the student must then work with their advisor and follow the process for Credit for Prior Learning.

 Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) assists students in receiving course and/or non-course equivalent credit based on one of the following:

• Transfer credit

• Apprenticeships

• Certifications and licensures

• Courses listed in high school to community college articulation agreements

• Military education and training

• Standardized examinations

• Challenge exams/Proficiency

• Portfolio assessment

• Public Safety Training (PST) prefix courses

• Continuing Education (CE) to Curriculum Courses (CU) per local articulation agreement 

Evaluation of prior learning and experience to earn CPL begins with the student request to the advisor. The student and advisor then work together with faculty content experts to determine if/how credit may be equivalent to an MCC catalog course. The student and advisor then complete the Credit for Prior Learning Form. The final determination for credit earned resides with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO).

 The following steps outline the process for a student to request Credit for Prior Learning:

1. The student and advisor work together to identify possible prior learning and MCC course equivalency.

2. The advisor then collaborates with the instructor of the MCC course who is the content expert to determine if the CPL is equivalent to the course (outcomes should align from what was previously l earned and what the MCC course teaches).

3. Once the equivalency has been vetted, the advisor completes the form and signs.

4. The form with the legible copies of the appropriate documentation proving the completion of the experience (test scores, transcripts, certificates, syllabi, etc.) is then given to the CAO for review and approval.

5. Once approved, the CAO signs and submits the form with the documentation to the Registrar’ Office for transcription into the student’s official academic record.

The faculty content expert for the MCC course equivalency may ask for copies of the syllabus, course outline, certification outline, etc. in order to determine if the course is eligible for equivalency. Legible copies of all documentation are required. CPL cannot be given without proof of completion of prior learning.

Military veterans can use their MOS within the ACE portal (acenet.edu) to work with their advisor to identify possible CPL. The military veteran must supply official documented proof of their MOS for the CPL evaluation.

Students must complete a minimum of 25% of the credit hours required in their program at MCC to be eligible to graduate.

Examples of Credit for Prior Learning

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations and Advanced Placement (AP) Tests – The College grants credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP Examinations and AP tests that are applicable to the student’s program of study. Students wishing to have CLEP Examinations and/or AP Tests evaluated for credit should have official score reports sent to the Registrar. Upon receipt of the required score reports, the Registrar will review the scores earned and grant ap-propriate credit toward the program being pursued at Martin Community College. CLEP and AP credit will not be calcu-lated in a student’s GPA. Questions concerning requirements and credit should be directed to the Registrar.

 Credit for Military Schools – The College grants credit for military service schools that are applicable to the student’s program of study in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council of Educator’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Students wishing to have military schools evaluated for credit should contact the Registrar to determine the required military documents. Upon receipt of the required military documents, the Registrar will evaluate the schools completed and grant appropriate credit toward the program being pursued at Martin Community College. Credit for military schools will not be calculated in a student’s GPA. Questions concerning credit for military schools should be directed to the Registrar.