Lake Superior College

3.15.1 Credit for Prior Learning

General Information/Policy

Credit for Prior Learning may be achieved through one of the following options: AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate Program), DANTES (Educational Testing Service), CLEP (College Level Examination Program), Educational Credit for Training Programs, Credit by Exam, and Prior Learning Assessment by contacting the Center for Lifelong Learning. 

Credits count toward graduation requirements but are not counted in Grade Point Average or minimum semester credit completion calculations with the exception of Prior Learning assessment credits.

Prior Learning Credit awards will be recorded on an LSC transcript with a grade of "P" (Pass).  All credits for prior learning except through Prior Learning Assessment will be transcripted as courses transferred into LSC.  Prior Learning Assessment credits will be designated as LSC Prior Learning Courses on the LSC transcript.

Prior Learning Credits cannot be earned for a course which a student is currently registered.

All credits for prior learning except Credit by Exam and Prior Learning Assessment are transcripted at no cost.

An unlimited number of credits required for an LSC academic award (degree, diploma or certificate) may be awarded through these options so long as the total of earned credits does not contradict the intent of Board Policy 3.17 that establishes the number of credits taught by LSC faculty recommending the diploma or degree award (one third the credits for diploma and 20 credits for an associate degree).

Credit Life
General education and elective credits have no transfer limit.  Occupational course credits earned more than five years prior to the time of request need program faculty approval to fulfill current program requirements.  Certain occupational areas may have more stringent requirements.  If occupational credits more than five years old are not approved to fulfill program requirements, students may demonstrate course content mastery by utilizing the Credit for Prior Learning process.

Note:  While LSC may accept certain credits, other colleges to which the student may subsequently transfer may not accept them.  It is the responsibility of the student to maintain communication with the receiving institution.

A.  AP (Advanced Placement)
Advanced Placement is a program of The College Board through which a seconday student completes college-level courses that are designated as AP in high schools. The AP examinations, which are scored on a 5-point scale, can be taken by any student who feels prepared by independent study, or other preparation as well as by students who complete AP courses.  Students must arrange for an official report of AP examination scores to be sent to LSC in order to receive college credit.

Scores of 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination will be awarded for lower division course credit.  LSC will grant equivalent course credit for a specific college course for each AP examination that covers substantially similar material.  For courses that are sequential in nature (for example, mathematics) LSC may grant more credit for a score of 4 or 5 when it represents greater mastery of the material.  Equivalent course credits will be applied to a certificate, diploma, and/or degree program as either a required course or as an elective course.

LSC will grant three (3) elective course credits when a student presents a score of 3 or higher on an AP examination that covers material that is not substantially similar to an existing course offered by the college.  Elective course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

B.  IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma)
The IB program is an internationally recognized program through which a secondary student completes a comprehensive curriculum of rigorous study and demonstrates performance on IB examinations.  A student may present a full IB diploma or certificate recognizing specific higher level or standard level examination scores.  Students must provide an official IB certificate or diploma to LSC in order to receive college credit. 

Students who obtain an IB diploma shall be granted lower division college credit as follows:

Subpart A:  IB diploma

Students who attain an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma shall be granted six (6) lower division course credits for scores of 4 or higher on Higher Level IB examinations and two (2) lower division course credits for scores of 4 or higher on Standard Level IB examinations.

Subpart B:  Individual IB examinations

1. Higher level examinations.  A student shall receive three (3) or more course credits for scores of 4 or higher on individual Higher Level IB examinations.
2. Standard level examinations.  A student shall receive two (2) or more credits for scores of 4 or higher on individual Standard Level IB examinations.

C.  CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
CLEP is a testing program of The College Board designed to measure prior learning and mastery of introductory (lower division) college course material in particular subject areas.  Students must arrange for an official report of CLEP examination scores to be sent to LSC from The College Board in order to receive credit.

The Center for Lifelong Learning at Lake Superior College administers the CLEP exams.  Contact the Center for more information.

LSC will grant college credit to students who earn a score of 50 or higher on CLEP examinations, with the exception of Level 2 foreign-language examinations, for which a minimum score of 63 for German language, 62 for French language, and 66 for Spanish language is required.

LSC will grant credits for an equivalent course when a CLEP examination covers material that is substantially similar to an existing lower division course.  Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

LSC will grant lower division elective course credits when a CLEP examinatin covers material that is deemed to be college-level but is not substantially similar to an existing course.  Elective course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

D.  DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) Examination Program
Credits for the Subject Standardized Tests Program will be evaluated using the ACE (American Council on Education) recommendations.

E.  Educational Credit for Training Programs
Lake Superior College may accept credit for the following training:
a.  Military Training.  Credit will be evaluated from the student's military documents using the "ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Experiences in the Armed Forces."
b.  Business Training.  Credit will be evaluated using the "ACE College Credit Recommendation."
c.  Association of Administrative Professionals.  Credit will be evaluated for successful completion of the CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) examination in the past seven years.

F.  Credit by Exam 
Credit by Exam is an opportunity to obtain credit for knowledge and experience that is parallel to the content of a particular course through an exam given by an LSC faculty member. 
1. The student will meet with the Center for Lifelong Learning staff to determine readiness for credit by exam.
2.  Students are limited to one attempt to earn credit by exam, per course.
3.  A fee of 50% the cost of tuition per credit must be paid prior to the exam and is not refundable.

G.  Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) provides opportunity to obtain credit for college-level knowledge gained through prior work, education, and life experiences through documentation and demonstration of prior learning.
Note: Lake Superior College has adopted the National Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) standards.
Procedure:
1. The student will meet with the Center for Lifelong Learning staff to determine readiness for prior learning assessment.
2. The Center for Lifelong Learning staff will consult with appropriate faculty members for evaluation of prior learning experience and credit award.
3.  A fee of 50% the cost per credit must be paid prior to the evaluation and is not refundable.
4.  Students who enroll inn PLA development course(s) will have the cost of up to 3 credits of PLA evaluation waived.
5.   An administrative fee of 50% of the cost per credit of tuition up to a maximum fee of 3 credits will be assessed prior to transcripting of course(s) for programs with state and/or national certification(s) agreements approved by the program faculty and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

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