5140 Credit for Prior Learning

Initial Date of Approval: 4/22/09

Revision Date(s): 12/17/24

Administrative Responsibility:Vice President of Student Services

PURPOSE

To communicate the process by which Skagit Valley College evaluates and awards credit for prior learning.

REFERENCES

SBCTC Policy Manual Chapter 4 Instructional Program and Course Development

POLICY

Skagit Valley College evaluates and awards credit for prior learning from the sources listed below.

1. Credits earned at institutions accredited by one of these bodies:

• • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
    Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Credits from these institutions can be transferred to SVC if they meet the following requirements:

• They apply to the student’s plan of study at SVC
• The grade is a D or higher
• The course is not specific to one religion

2. Credits from Joint Service Transcripts (JSTs) as follows:

• • For the Associate in Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree, the Associate in Business DTA degree and the Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA degree, a maximum of up to 15 non-traditional credits may be applied to the physical education requirement and to the “gray area” elective requirements.
  • For the Associate in Science transfer degrees and the Associate in Biology DTA, a maximum of up to 6 non-traditional credits may be applied to the “gray area” elective requirements.
  • For the Associate in Applied Sciences degrees and/or certificate programs, a maximum of up to 30 non-traditional credits may be applied toward departmental requirements as approved by the department chair and appropriate dean.
  • For the Associate in Arts General Studies degree, a maximum of up to 45 credits for non-traditional learning may be granted: a maximum of 32 credits may apply to the “gray area” elective requirements, 3 credits may apply to the Physical Education requirement, and 10 credits may apply to the natural science/technologies requirement.
  • For academic/transfer programs, military courses marked with “V”, “U” or “G” are generally not accepted. For some professional/technical programs, military courses marked with “V”, “U” or “G” are accepted on a case-by-case basis as determined by the department chair and/or appropriate dean. 

3. Credits from college preparatory programs with exams:

• • Advanced Placement (AP) Test Score Equivalencies
  • Cambridge International (CI)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) 

4. Credits from non-traditional sources

• • Credit by examination
  • Standardized tests such as College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES
  • Vocational and other non-accredited training programs, independent study, and other appropriate educational experiences

PROCEDURES

Transferring Credits from Accredited Institutions, JSTs, and College Preparatory Exam Scores

1. Students must apply to SVC and receive a ctcLink student ID before they may request a transcript evaluation.
2. Students should complete a Transcript Evaluation Request Form and list all transcripts that will be sent to SVC for evaluation. Students must also indicate which degree or certificate they plan to earn at SVC.
3. Students should contact the institution or organization to request that their official transcript be sent directly to SVC. Official electronic transcripts may be sent to eval@skagit.edu. Official paper transcripts should be mailed to Skagit Valley College Enrollment Services, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Transcripts will not be accepted as official if they are emailed by the student or delivered in an opened envelope.
4. Once all transcripts have been received, SVC will evaluate the transcripts and email the student in approximately 6-8 weeks.
5. If students have questions about the evaluation process, they may email eval@skagit.edu. For additional information, see the Transcript Evaluation

Evaluating Credits from Non-Traditional Sources

Credit by Examination:

1. Students must apply to SVC and receive a ctcLink student ID prior to applying for credit by examination.
2. Student pays for the credits associated with the course at the Cashier’s Office. In addition to the tuition cost for the course, the course challenge fee is $2.00 per credit.
3. The student brings the receipt to the instructor and after the examination is completed and graded, the Challenging a Course: Credit by Exam form is filled out by the instructor and signed by the department chair and the dean associated with the department.
4. The instructor submits the receipt and the completed Challenging a Course: Credit by Exam form to Enrollment Services
5. The evaluation team enters the course and credits in ctcLink.
6. The evaluation team sends an email to the student verifying the process was completed.
7. If students have questions about the process, they may email eval@skagit.edu.

Credits for Work Experience

1. Students must apply to SVC and receive a ctcLink student ID prior to applying for the credit from work experience.
2. The student works with the department chair to complete the Petition for Non-Traditional Credit: For Prior Learning form and the Learning Outcomes Assessment Form. Both forms must be signed by department chair and the dean associated with the department.
3. The student takes the signed forms to the Cashier’s Office and pays for the credits associated with the course(s) ($60.00 per credit).
4. The student submits the receipt, the signed Petition for Non-Traditional Credit: For Prior Learning form and the signed Learning Outcome Assessment Form to Enrollment Services.
5. The evaluation team enters the course and credits in ctcLink.
6. The evaluation team sends an email to the student verifying the process was completed.
7. If students have questions about the process, they may email eval@skagit.edu.