Administrative Rule No: 4020-01

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 a variety of means approved through college process, including the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Nationally Administered Standardized Tests such as the College Level Examination Program, 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. 

Applicable Credit for Prior Learning
Students may only be granted CPL credit that meets degree or certificate requirements (including elective credits) for their declared program. This is to ensure that students do not amass credits that are not applicable to their educational goal. CPL credit awarded prior to a change of program cannot be removed from a student’s transcript.

Credit for Prior Learning for Transfer Courses
In order for a transfer course to be eligible for CPL, the course must be part of a statewide coordinated agreement. This is because each transfer destination sets their own policies around accepting CPL credit. The purpose of transfer degrees is successful transfer to a college or university, and ensuring that students will not lose credits in their transition is a key part of our mission.

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 4-5 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." Credit may also be available for other national, state, or industry tests. The Curricular Issues Committee will review and approve these tests at the request of program faculty.

LBCC Developed Exams (Challenge Exams)
Students may demonstrate mastery of specified LBCC course content at the prerogative of the individual department and/or division and with approval through the Curricular Issues Committee. 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 and maintained by the Credit for Prior Learning office.
  2. All locally prepared examinations and competency requirements must be on file in the college's Testing Center one term prior to being offered. Each examination will be checked for reliability and validity.
  3. Each course available through credit by examination shall have a published summary of course content and student learning outcomes.
  4. 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.
  5. The Registration Office will include the course credit information on the student’s transcript.

Military Credit
Students may request evaluation of military credit by furnishing the Office of Admissions with a Joint Service Transcript (JST) or DD-214. Students 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
Credits that are available to be awarded through professional licensure are approved through the Curricular Issues Committee. A list of these courses will be available to students on the website.

Date of Adoption: 1/13/11
Dates of Revision: 10/3/13, 5/5/16, 4/2/2020; 05/23/24
Dates of Last Review: 9/5/13, 5/5/16; 05/23/24