Lake Superior College

3.35.1 Credit for Prior Learning - Procedure

Part 1. Purpose
This procedure defines the requirements for implementation of Policy 3.35for evaluating and granting undergraduatecredit to a student admitted to LSC.   

Part 2.  Definitions.
A.  American Council on Education (ACE).  The American Council on Education is a coordinating body for the nation's higher education institutions.  ACE provides recommendations for granting credit for college-level learning obtained in non-college settings.  

B.  College-level learning.  College-level is learning that meets college-level standards and results in credits which can be applied toward the requirements of a certificate, diploma, or degree.

C.  Credit by examination.  Credit by examination is a method of prior learning assessment that includes standardized examinations such as the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations; International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations; College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations; Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP), Excelsior examinations, New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP) examinations,  The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessments, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), ACE endorsed examinations, and course-specific examinations designed by college or university faculty.

D.  Credit for prior learning (CPL).  Credit for prior learning is the outcome of a prior learning assessment by which a student earns credit for college-level learning gained in non-credit or experiential settings.

E.  Portfolio review and competence demonstration.  Portfolio review and competence demonstration are methods of prior learning assessment that include, but are not limited to, documentation review, candidate interview, performance assessment, product review, a combination of these methods, or other means.

F.  Prior learning assessment (PLA).  Prior learning assessment is the process of faculty evaluation of student learning obtained through sources other than college-level coursework.

Part 3.  Implementation

A.  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 Credit for Prior Learning Director 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% of the cost of tuition per credit must be paid prior to the exam and is not refundable.

B. 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 Credit for Prior Learning Director to determine readiness for prior learning assessment.
2. The Credit for Prior Learning Director will consult with appropriate faculty members for evaluation of prior learning experience and credit award.
3.  A fee of 50% of the cost per credit must be paid prior to the evaluation and is not refundable.
4.  Students who enroll in 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.

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.

D. DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
DSST is a testing program of Prometric designed to measure prior learning in a variety of disciplines with 37 unique subjects.  Students must arrange for an official report of DSST examination scores to be sent to LSC from Prometric in order to receive credit.

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

Credits for the Subject Standardized Tests Program will be evaluated using the ACE (American Council on Education) recommendations.

LSC will grant college credit to students who earn a minimum score recommended by ACE on DSST examinations.

LSC will grant credits for an equivalent course when a DSST 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.

E. Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement is a program of The College Board through which a secondary 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.

F.  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 diplomaStudents 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.

LSC will grant lower division elective course credits when a CLEP examination 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.

G. Educational Credit for Training Programs and Nationally Recognized Tests Lake Superior College may accept credit for the following training and national tests:

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." (Minnesota Statute 197.775, Subdivision 2, Higher Education Fairness).
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.   
d.  Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP)                          
e.  Excelsior Examinations                                                                  
f.  New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP)
g. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)

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