Policies & Procedures

Credit for Prior Learning

Limitations and Restrictions

• The maximum total number of credits a student may earn from all forms of Prior Learning Credits is 30 credits.
• The maximum number of Examination and Certification credits is 30 credits.
• The maximum number of Portfolio review credits is 15 credits.
• No credits are awarded for courses in progress, already completed or graded on the RCSJ transcript or transfer evaluation.
• Prior Learning Credits do not impact a student’s GPA and/or residency requirements of the university or major department.
• Prior Learning Credits are awarded as transfer credits.
• All documentation, certifications, licenses, work experience, must be from within the last 10 years to be considered for credit eligibility.
• Regardless of the number of credits earned through Prior Learning Credits, a student is still required to complete their General Education Program and Major course requirements to graduate.
• Only active, degree-seeking students are eligible for Prior Learning Credits.
• Prior Learning Credits will not appear on transcripts until after the completion of one full semester at RCSJ.

Credit for prior learning may be achieved through the following options:

Military Credit

The College grants credit for nontraditional credit earned through military training equivalent to the courses offered by the College.  Applicants are required to submit the appropriate military documentation:

• Joint Services Transcript (JST): Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy
• Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)

Credit will be evaluated by academic subject matter experts with guidance from the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. In cases of transfer credit, more than 15 credit hours may be used.

Credit by Examination

Students can receive credit by exam if they earn qualifying assessment test scores.  Students must submit a request within three years of taking the assessment exam.  When a student submits a credit by exam request, credit is posted on the student’s transcript the semester the form is received by the Registrar’s Office.  Examples of qualifying assessment tests include:

• American College Testing (ACT)
• College Board ACCUPLACER

Standardized Tests

The College grants credit to students who have demonstrated knowledge through standardized tests.  Credit will be awarded only in subject areas where RCSJ offers comparable courses. Student must submit an official transcript or score report to the Registrar’s Office to be considered for evaluation – examples of standardized tests include:

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Cambridge International (CI)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)

Prior Learning Assessment

Credit may be granted to college-level learning acquired through non-collegiate coursework such as:

• On-the-Job Learning
• Corporate/Industry Training
• Professional Training Programs
• Workshops/Seminars/Conferences
• Independent Study
• Civic Activities
• Volunteer Service
• Journeyman Card
• Completed Apprenticeship

Credit may be awarded only in courses RCSJ is approved to offer.  Students must complete a portfolio assessment that contains documentation supporting why credit should be granted. Examples include a narrative outlining training; work experience; formal education; and copies of official certifications, licenses, or certificates of completion.   In some cases, the academic department may require a meeting with the student to further discuss the request before an official decision can be made.  If approved, credit is posted to the student’s transcript the semester the form is received by the Registrar’s Office.

Applicable exceptions to the prior learning 15 credit hour maximum include, but not limited to:

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a state and federally recognized “earn and learn” training model that combines paid, on-the-job experience with classroom instruction, leading to both industry credentials and academic awards.  RCSJ partners with employers, labor groups, and employer associations to deliver the related technical instruction (RTI) portion of the program. 

To receive credit, students must submit a prior learning assessment request to be evaluated by RCSJ subject matter experts that includes approved documentation outlining successful completion of apprenticeship in training.

Students receiving apprenticeship credit are exempt from the prior learning 15 credit hour maximum.  In the event students are awarded 30 or more apprenticeship credits toward their AAS program requirements, they must complete 30 required program credits at RCSJ to be awarded their degree.

Articulated Credit

Per RCSJ Articulation Agreements, students may be granted RCSJ credit for completing approved dual credit/dual enrollment courses aligned with RCSJ curricula.  If approved, credit is posted on the student’s transcript the semester the form is received by the Registrar’s Office.

References:

Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees Policy Manual, 3012 Credit for Prior Learning