Non-Traditional Prior Learning
Howard Community College believes that education is a lifelong process where
each individual
learns through their own unique educational pathway. To that end, HCC awards credit for various aspects of prior learning and experience
in an effort to
allow students to
more seamlessly integrate real-world experiences and their education, furthering their academic credentials and entering the workforce.
Howard Community College adheres to the principles outlined in the Transfer with Success Act and guidance issued by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and other organizations. Key amongst these principles is the understanding of “equivalency vs applicability” in determining transfer evaluations. Prior traditional credits, examinations, and prior experience are evaluated not based on an individual student’s current program but rather based on the learning outcomes of the prior learning and its equivalency at Howard Community College.
Within the maximum allowed total transferable prior learning credit, only 30 credits toward a degree or certificate may be awarded for non-traditional learning. With the exception of nationally recognized examinations, general education credit for State of Maryland-specified general education requirements may not be awarded via non-traditional learning.
To have credit reviewed and awarded, students must submit official documents (JST, score report, license, certification etc.) along with a Transcript Evaluation Request Form to the office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs.
Types of Non-Traditional Credit include:
High School Articulation Credit
Students who have completed Howard County Public School System career programs through Career Academies may be eligible for academic credit at HCC through an articulation agreement with the school system. Eligibility for this credit is based on a number of factors, including the student’s area of study, other college coursework the student has completed, the student’s grade in the high school course, and the specific terms of the articulation agreement. Students must submit an official high school transcript and an articulated credit form (available in high school counseling offices or HCC’s website to RRVA. The award of credit for high school coursework does not guarantee that transfer institutions will grant credit for these courses or grant credit in the same way.
Non-Collegiate Programs
Credit may be granted for educational programs that apply to a student’s area of study and have been successfully completed at non-collegiate organizations such as government agencies, corporations and businesses, trade and technical schools, and others. Non-collegiate courses will be evaluated in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations, as well as other approved organizations, in line with the college’s articulation agreements. Official transcripts or documentation, along with a transcript evaluation request form, must be submitted to RRVA to have this credit evaluated.
Military Education and Training
Credit may be granted for a variety of formal military, vocational, or educational programs. Credits will be applied based on a student’s area of study at HCC. Students will be awarded credit based on recommendations made by ACE, as well as in accordance with the college’s articulation agreements with individual military branches and organizations. HCC recommends students with credit from military experience and training submit an official Joint Services Transcript (JST); however, if one is not available, other military transcripts may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and other military institutions that are regionally accredited are treated as traditional credit.
Credit by Examination
Students may be awarded credit through nationally standardized or HCC institutional testing programs. HCC has specific policies for all testing programs for which it awards credits based on scores, other credits earned, and students’ areas of study. Credit is generally not awarded for institutional exams taken at other colleges and universities. Students must submit official score reports, declare an area of study, and submit a transcript evaluation request form to receive credit for national examination programs. HCC’s test center administers some of these exams to its current and prospective students. Information regarding required scores and credits awarded may be obtained on HCC’s website.
Nationally Recognized Examinations
The national examination programs for which the college awards credit are:
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
These are subject-matter exams sponsored by the College Board and generally administered through high schools at the culmination of advanced placement course offerings. The college accepts and awards credit for a minimum score of 3. Further information can be obtained on the College Board website.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
These are subject-matter exams administered in high school international baccalaureate programs. Credit is awarded with a minimum score of 4. For more information about the program, visit the International Baccalaureate program website.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is a national credit-by-examination program providing individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to receive credit for college-level achievement acquired in a wide variety of ways. General and subject examinations are available in many different areas; a minimum exam score of 50 is required to award academic credit. HCC administers CLEP examinations to current and prospective students at its test center. Additional information regarding CLEP can be obtained by visiting the College Board website.
Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma Program Examination
Howard Community College will award credit for Cambridge Assessment exams for students who have earned a score of E or higher at the A-Level or AS-Level.
DSST (formerly known as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
Students participating in the DSST program can earn college credit for learning that has occurred outside the classroom. HCC administers the DSST program at the test center. Students may earn up to three credits for each examination based on their scores and score recommendations determined by ACE. Additional information regarding DSST can be obtained by visiting the DSST website.
Excelsior College Exams
Students may complete subject-based exams developed and offered through Excelsior College and Pearson VUE. Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher for these examinations to be equated to HCC courses. Exams are administered through the HCC test center.
Institutional Examinations
Institutional exams offered at HCC for selected courses include:
Proficiency Exams
These exams are taken prior to course enrollment when students believe they have mastery of course skills and objectives. These exams are offered at the discretion of the faculty and the academic department. Successful test performance results in course credit and appears on transcripts as proficiency credit. Proficiency exams cannot be retaken and cannot be taken by students previously unsuccessful in courses for which they are seeking credit. Students must be admitted to the college prior to taking proficiency exams. A fee equal to 50 percent of the current in-county tuition for the course will be charged for each proficiency examination. Proficiency exams must be taken within 30 calendar days after fee payment; students who do not take exams within this 30-day limit will be notified that credit will not be issued.
LPN-RN Mobility Exam
HCC administers the LPN-RN Mobility Exam as one part of the process of determining advanced standing in the LPN Pathway program. This exam is designed to facilitate LPN to RN career mobility, and is one method used to assess prior learning and experience in the nursing field. It is used by HCC in combination with other requirements to meet admissions requirements and award clinical nursing transfer credit and advanced standing in the LPN Pathway program. Further information may be obtained through the office of admissions or advising.
Non-Credit Articulated Credit
Students who have completed coursework through Workforce, Career, and Community Education (WCCE) may have credit articulated to their undergraduate transcript. Coursework from WCCE must meet 70% of the learning outcomes and have similar contact hours to the undergraduate equivalent of the course, as determined by subject matter experts. Credits articulated from WCCE count towards the credits earned in residency at HCC.
Industry Recognized Credentials
Students who have completed recognized industry credentials may be eligible for articulated credits. These credentials must include mastery of content which must include 70% of the learning outcomes of the equivalent course at HCC, as determined by subject matter experts.