Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning may be earned by: (1) standardized achievement tests (CLEP, CEEB Advanced Placement, SAT, ACT, and ACE credit); (2) departmental examination; (3) military programs; (4) Conversion of Continuing Education (CE) credit; (5) Credit by Licensure; (6) Credit by Experience; or (7) Credit by Articulation Agreement.

NO STUDENT WILL RECEIVE CREDIT BY EXAMINATION FOR MORE THAN EIGHTEEN SEMESTER HOURS. Credit will be awarded only in areas appropriately related to the student’s educational program. No student who has been given a grade other than W in the course is eligible for credit by examination unless the course is otherwise unavailable and is required for graduation. For each hour of credit earned by examination, the student must earn an equivalent hour enrolled as a student in regular classes. Grades for credit by examination are recorded as pass and are not considered in computing grade point averages. Official test scores must be sent from the testing agency to the Howard College Registrar’s Office. Credit awarded for testing (ACT, SAT, CLEP, Departmental, ACE, etc.) at Howard College/SWCD may or may not meet minimum requirements for credit at other institutions. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the school they intend to attend to verify further credit. Howard College/SWCD awards transfer credit for “credit by examination” if it is included on an official transcript from an accredited college or university, if it is within the 18 hour limit, and if it is appropriately related to the student’s educational program.

Standardized Achievement Tests

CLEP Examinations
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations are administered through the Testing Center (Big Spring Campus). CLEP credit may be earned for the following subjects in accordance with the credit minimum scores and course equivalents listed. Students should check transferability of scores and/or courses with receiving institutions. The cost of each CLEP Exam is established by the testing agency.

CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) Advanced Placement Examinations
These examinations are not administered at the college. Arrangements to take these tests must be made through a high school counselor.

Advanced Placement scores of 3 or better are accepted for designated subject areas.   If you have scores in an area not listed below, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

ACT (American College Test)
Registration information is available on the Testing Center website for the Big Spring Campus. Howard College/SWCD awards credit on the basis of acceptable scores. Official transcript data must be filed with Howard College/SWCD prior to consideration of credit granted.

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Subject Tests: Registration information is available on the Testing Center website for the Big Spring Campus. Howard College/SWCD awards credit on the basis of acceptable scores. Official transcript data must be filed with Howard College prior to consideration of credit granted.

Departmental Examinations
Students may obtain permission from division director to challenge certain courses through departmental examinations in subject areas where CLEP examinations are not available. Students will not be permitted to challenge courses with laboratory and clinical hours unless they have had and can show proof of documented training or work experience equivalent to the requirements of the courses. Students must take the exam WITHIN 30 DAYS from the date the application is approved in order to receive credit. Cost of the exam will be the current tuition rate per semester hour. Students should contact the appropriate instructional administrator to begin this process.

Military Credit
Credit for military programs may be awarded in accordance with the guidebooks for evaluating credit for training received in the military service. Students must score in the fiftieth percentile or above and submit an official copy of the scores to the admissions office.

Conversion of Continuing Education (CE) Credit

Students must meet with the Department Chair/Coordinator to determine eligibility and declare an academic major. The Department Chari/Coordinator must ensure that academic rigor of the CE credit is equivalent to those completed by the academic students. Howard College cannot guarantee credit received through conversion will be recognized by transfer institutions. Cost of the conversion will be $25 per semester hour (example: 3 semester hours x $25 = $75). Students should contact the appropriate instructional administrator to begin this process.

Credit by Licensure

Students must meet with the Department Chair/Coordinator to determine eligibility and declare an academic major. The Department Chair/Coordinator must ensure that through obtainment of the licensure, the student has met the academic rigor that is completed by the academic students. Students will be asked to provide documentation of a current (unexpired) license or certification for verification. Howard College cannot guarantee credit received through this process will be recognized by transfer institutions. Cost of the credit will be $5 per semester hour (Example: 3 semester hour x $5 = $15). Students should contact the appropriate instructional administrator to begin this process.

Credit by Experience

Students must meet with the Department Chair/Coordinator to determine eligibility and declare an academic major. Credit for experience will be considered for the following experiences:

• Previous education related to the course revious Work and Military experience relating to the course
• In-service training relating to the course (workshops, seminars, on-the-job training)
• Volunteer work experience relating to the course
• Professional certifications, license, and credentials

The following documentation verifying related experiences including, but not limited to, could be required:

• Previous educational transcript(s)
• Previous work and military experience, including dates, titles and job description
• In-service training including dates, titles, certificates and/or transcripts
• Professional certificates and licenses
• Letters of employers, volunteer agencies and/or regulatory agencies that support the experience

Additional testing requirements could be required. Howard College cannot guarantee credit received through this process will be recognized by transfer institutions. Cost of the credit will be $5 per semester hour (Example: 3 semester hour x $5 = $15). Students should contact the appropriate instructional administrator to begin this process.

Credit by Articulation Agreement

Students may earn credits toward a certificate or degree at Howard College through specific articulation agreements between the college and partners. Articulation agreements must line out specific credit procedures and go through the appropriate offices for approval. Howard College cannot guarantee credit received through this process will be recognized by transfer institutions. Cost of the awarded credit will be outlined in the specific agreement. Students must meet with the Department Chair/Coordinator to determine eligibility and declare an academic major.

Audit
Attending a class in order to observe and learn the information without taking part in the discussion or completing the other course requirements is an audit. No credit or grade is earned for auditing a class. The same fees are charged if the course is taken for credit or audit. A request for non-credit form must be completed and on file in the registrar’s office by the twelfth class day in the fall and spring and by the fourth class day in the summer.  NOTE: School officials may allow a person to visit a class during a single class period for recruiting and / or other programming purposes.  This must first be approved by the faculty member and does not constitute a course audit.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is offered in participating high schools, and the examinations are administered at the high school. In accordance with SB 111, students will be granted a minimum of 24 hours of credit if they have earned the IB Diploma and have no scores lower than 4 on the Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) Exams. Howard College may grant fewer than 24 SCH to a student if the student has scored less than 4 on any IB examination administered as part of the diploma program. Students who participate in the IB Program may receive college credit for exam scores of 4 or better on most HL Exams and for a 5 or better on most SL Exams. Howard College will grant college credit based on the table below.

Applicants with the IB diploma must provide a completed IB transcript to the Admissions Office before enrolling in order to receive credit.