Academic Credit for Prior Learning

South Puget Sound Community College in accordance with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Washington Student Achievement Council, awards credit for prior experiential learning by assessing knowledge and skills gained through work and life experiences that correspond to the student learning outcomes of courses at the college. Academic Credit for Prior Learning is awarded in the following areas: Credit by Examination, Prior Experiential Learning, and Credit for Alternative Learning Experience (CALE).

1. Academic Credit for Prior Learning experiences will be evaluated as indicated in the corresponding procedures.
2. Per Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges established policies, the   following are guidelines for awarding Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL):
   1. A grade may only be assessed for Course Challenges and Prior Experiential Learning when the student is registered and tuition is charged per the college grading policy.
   2. All other prior learning categories must receive a Pass or equivalent grade designation per the college grading policy.
   3. Dual credit examinations (Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International (CI)) must follow the system policy for awarding of credit.
   4. Credit earned through academic Credit for Prior Learning and transcribed at one college will be accepted toward the appropriate equivalent course or program at any other community and technical system college.
3. Documentation for all Academic Credit for Prior Learning Assessments will be maintained as indicated in the procedures and in accordance with the Washington Student Achievement Council and Washington State archiving requirements.
4. The following limitations apply to Academic Credit for Prior Learning:
   1. A maximum of 45 credits will be awarded for Credit by Examination.
   2. No more than 25% of credits used for a degree can come from CALE. Students are charged a $25 application fee and $10 per credit for CALE (fee waived for military transcripts).
   3. Students requesting a Course Challenge or Prior Experiential Learning assessment must enroll and pay full tuition and fees, complete and submit to the instructional division the request for Course Challenge or Prior Experiential credit directly to the applicable college instructional department by day 10 of the quarter. 
   4. Students will be notified via email regarding the request with appropriate instructions, i.e., scheduling the exam or continued enrollment.
   5. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that credits earned through Academic Credit for Prior Learning assessments will transfer to intended colleges and universities.
5. Any appeal regarding the college’s determination of credit awarded for prior learning must be made through the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities Grade Appeal request form to the appropriate instructional dean. 

Prior Experiential Learning: Includes the skills, knowledge, and attitudes gained through non-formal (mainly work-based) and informal (life-experience) means.

Assessment of Prior Learning: This is primarily accomplished through credit by examination, portfolio evaluation, and crosswalks between work-based learning, college courses, and exams.

Award of Credit for Prior Learning: This occurs when a student’s prior learning outcomes are assessed and determined to be the equivalent to the learning outcomes attained upon completion of a college course, and if the award of credit aligns with the student’s education pathway. For purposes of this policy, awarding of credit for prior learning does not include regular credit-bearing courses from regionally accredited institutions of higher education normally accepted for transfer credit.

Credit by Examination: Commonly accepted higher education equivalency exams that are documented via a transcript or other official record. Includes Advanced Placement(AP),  International Baccalaureate(IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES, Cambridge International(CI) and Course Challenges.