Academic Credit for Prior Learning
ACPL can help students complete their training and degree programs sooner by evaluating an individual's existing knowledge and competencies for college credit, including knowledge that may have been acquired through documented military training.
Methods for awarding Academic Credit for Prior Learning include:
Tests
Credit by Standardized Testing or Evaluation
BTC awards college credit for completion of certain standardized examinations, listed below. Provide documentation of these exams, through a high school transcript or other means to Admissions & Advising. If you have taken a similar standardized examination not listed below, please contact Admissions & Advising.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who have completed college-level AP courses in high school and have taken the exams administered by the College Board may receive college credit in selected courses at BTC. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript. AP scores may also be used to waive portions of the Accuplacer exam.
To request credit based on AP scores, students must submit either official AP test scores from the College Board or official high school transcripts containing AP scores to Admissions & Advising. Credit will be awarded according to the Advanced Placement Credit Chart below which outlines the minimum required scores and corresponding courses.
Cambridge Crosswalk (CI)
BTC awards unrestricted elective credit for a Cambridge (CI) score of E on A and AS level exams. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CI results, not transcript notation. Credits granted for general education or major requirements are specified below; otherwise, elective credit will be granted.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who have completed IB courses in high school may receive college credit for selected courses at BTC. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript upon program completion. IB may also be used to waive portions of the Accuplacer exam.
To request credit based on IB scores, students must submit official scores from the IB to Admissions & Advising.
College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) Testing
Students who have taken CLEP exams may receive credit in selected courses at BTC. To request credit based on CLEP scores students must submit official CLEP scores to Admissions & Advising. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript upon program completion.
See the following list for policies on granting placement of credit for CLEP exams. Credit will not be granted for scores below the ACE recommended score.
Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST; formerly DANTES)
The nationally recognized DSST provides college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of 38 exams in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities. The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for all 38 DSST exams.
To request credit based on DSST scores, students must submit official scores to Admissions & Advising. Credit awarded will be indicated in the student database and will appear on the graduate’s record of cumulative waiver/transfer earned upon program completion.
Prior Learning
Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio) and Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam):
Credit for Prior Experiential Learning allows students to receive credit for program course requirements for which the student demonstrates knowledge and expertise that meets the outcomes of the course(s). Credit for prior experiences can be shown through various means of assessment; however, these experiences must be equivalent to learning gained through formal collegiate instruction. This experience may include industry certifications, work experiences, and similar out-of-classroom learning. The college may recommend online instruction in portfolio development.
- Only certain courses/programs are eligible.
- The course(s) must be offered in the current college catalog.
- Credits do not count toward residence requirements.
- Credits are not eligible for financial aid and do not count toward full or part-time enrollment.
- Cost is $75 per credit.
- Credits are not eligible for payment through Running Start.
Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio):
- If successful, a grade of CR will be awarded on your transcript.
Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam):
- Students must earn a B or higher to be awarded a letter grade on their transcript.
- Students cannot repeat a course challenge.
Process for Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam) and Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio):
Contact the ACPL office at hwillbrandt@btc.edu, or by calling 360.752.8478, to discuss process and procedures.
Software Certifications
BTC accepts industry-certification exams for the courses listed below. Students provide documentation of the certification and the corresponding course is recorded on the transcript as CR.
