Policies and Procedures
POLICY 5230D:
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR CREDIT
The College believes there is validity in life experience learning and, therefore, grants credit for this type of learning to currently enrolled WWCC students.
Life experience learning is learning attained outside of post-secondary institutions. It is learning acquired from work or life experiences, such as by reading, studying the mass media, or participating in courses sponsored by professional associates, businesses, industry, unions, the government, and the military.
Adopted May 26, 1977
Revised January 26, 1984
Revised May 26, 1988
Revised July 16, 2008
PROCEDURE 5230D:
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR CREDIT
The College may grant a maximum of 40 credit hours for life experience learning toward an associate degree. Transfer of these life experience credits to other institutions, however, is at their discretion. Grades for these courses are noted as either S or U on the student’s transcripts.
The College may grant these credits in 4 ways to a current WWCC student:
CLEP Examinations
A student who earns a specified score on a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam can receive college credit for that course. There is a fee for each exam. Further information on fees, subject tests, required scores and scheduling is available in the Student Development Center.
To receive credit for these exams, students must achieve a specified score and have an active WWCC transcript. Since these score requirements are constantly under review, students should discuss the current requirements with the Student Development Center or Registration and Records.
Credit by Examination
A student may request credit by examination for any course for which a CLEP test is not available. If the exam indicates the student is as proficient as a typical student who completes the course, the College will award that student credit for that course.
The student, furthermore, will be allowed to take a more advanced course or to proceed to other courses. Four conditions, however, apply:
1. Must be enrolled at WWCC.
2. Cannot take the exam during the last thirty days of a
semester.
3. Cannot earn credit by examination if he or she has completed a higher level course in the same subject.
4. Must pay the established fee for taking the examination.
Outside Courses and Programs
Students may receive college credit if they have taken courses or programs, for example, while working for a business or while in the military, and these courses are listed in one of the following guides:
- Cooperative Assessment of Experimental Learning of the Educational Testing Service,
- National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-Collegiate Courses, or
- Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.
Students with military service also will receive credit for physical education in accordance with the recommendations of the Accreditation of Service Experiences. Credit will also be given to students who have successfully completed advanced military science courses.
Students must request credit for military service in writing and must submit appropriate documentation.
Credit of Similar Work
If a student believes that he or she has completed work that corresponds to the work required for a particular WWCC course, that student may submit a written request to the Registrar asking for credit for that course. The student must submit supporting material and documentation. The Registrar will review the material, and forward it to the Division Chair and the appropriate instructor for a recommendation. The student will be notified by the Registrar of the results.
Adopted May 26, 1977
Revised January 26, 1984
Approved May 26, 1988
Revised January 12, 2006
Revised July 16, 2008
