Credit for Prior Learning
Contact Information
Marple Campus
Academic Building, Room 4260
Hours:
Mon-Thu, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 610-359-5322
Fax: 610-359-5085
Email
Did you know that you may be able to earn college credit for work or life experiences that equate to college-level knowledge?
At Delaware County Community College, this is called Credit for Prior Learning, and it can bring you one step closer to your goal of a degree or certificate.
It may help you reduce the course load you have to carry, allowing you to complete your college education in less time, with less expense and with the additional convenience of working from home. So take a minute to see if you can turn your knowledge and experiences into college credit.
You may be eligible to receive or earn credit for knowledge you’ve acquired through life and work experiences that are closely related to the learning objectives of the College’s credit courses. This knowledge may have come through on-the-job experiences, professional workshops, non-credit classes at business or technical schools, volunteer activities, personal study or other pursuits.
Prior Learning Assessment
This assessment examines knowledge you may have gained through work and life experiences and evaluates it for college credit. Here are a few questions that will help you to decide if you should consider this option.
- Is your learning exactly or closely equivalent to a specific credit course listed in the College’s catalog?
- Is your learning in subject areas that coincide with courses necessary to meet your degree requirements here at the College?
- Do you understand the principles behind what you do, or have done, as well as the steps involved in doing it?
- Is your knowledge current?
Free information sessions are held each semester and are publicized on the College's website, in local newspapers and in the Student Information Services (SIS) bulletin. Contact the Assessment Center to set up an appointment with a Credit for Prior Learning Advisor.
Ways to Earn College Credit for Prior Learning
- Portfolio Development
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Credit by Examination
- Credit for Military Training Schools
- American Council on Education (ACE)
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- DSST
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR)
Portfolio Development
A portfolio is an organized folder or binder of information, compiled by a student, detailing specific past accomplishments, experiences and learning. It shows that your experiential learning is equivalent to or closely related to that of a specific College course(s) – learning other students have gained after completing the course(s) through traditional classroom studies.
A portfolio must conform to the College’s format. If you choose to develop a portfolio, you should work under the guidance of an assessment advisor, who can explain procedures and techniques for assembling a successful portfolio. The assessment advisor will work with appropriate College faculty, in your discipline, who will assess each portfolio.
The College reserves the right to determine whether a course can be assessed as well as the appropriate assessment method. (Please note that assessment advisors may occasionally determine that credit by exam is a more viable option for you than portfolio development.)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP tests are standardized exams that measure your knowledge of the material covered in certain introductory college courses. CLEP credit is treated as transfer credit and is awarded only for a passing score on an exam. Non-passing scores do not appear on your transcript. Delaware County Community College awards credit for CLEP exams based on the recommendation from the American Council for Education. Faculty within each department research the content of the exam to determine if the course competencies are met before credit is awarded. A score of 50 equates to a "C" grade.
Below is a listing of Delaware County Community College courses that may be challenged through CLEP.
Course descriptions and prerequisite information are available in the College Catalog.
For more information about how the credits received through CLEP Exams apply to students' major and transcripts, please see the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center's Credit by Examination and also make an appointment to meet with one of our Assessment Advisors at Delaware County Community College.
| CLEP Exam | Pass Score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 50 | ACC 111 Financial Accounting | 3 |
| General Biology | 50 | BIO 290 Biology Elective | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | BIO 290 Biology Elective & PHS 290 Elective | 6 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | BUS 210 Principles of Management | 3 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | BUS 230 Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | BUS 270 Business Elective | 3 |
| General Chemistry | 50 | CHE 290 Chemistry Elective | 3 |
| Information Systems | 50 | CS 270 Computer Elective | 3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | ECO 210 Econ. I - Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | ECO 220 Econ. II - Microeconomics | 3 |
| College Composition | 50 | ENG 100 English Composition I | 3 |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | ENG 270 English Elective | 3 |
| English Literature | 50 | ENG 221 British Literature II | 3 |
| American Literature | 50 | *ENG 230 American Literature I | 3 |
| College French - Levels 1 and 2 | 50 | **FRE 101 & 102 Elementary French I & II | 6 |
| College French - Levels 1 and 2 | 63 | FRE 101 & 102 Elementary French I & II and FRE 111 Intermediate French | 9 |
| College German - Levels 1 and 2 | 50 | **GER 101 & 102 Elementary German I & II | 6 |
| History of the U.S. I | 50 | HIS 110 American History I | 3 |
| History of the U.S. II | 50 | HIS 120 American History II | 3 |
| Western Civilization I | 50 | HIS 150 World Civilization I | 3 |
| Western Civilization II | 50 | HIS 160 World Civilization II | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | HUM 270 Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Humanities | 50 | HUM 270 Humanities Elective | 3 |
| College Mathematics | 50 | MAT 120 Modern College Math & MAT 121 Intro to Prob and Stats | 6 |
| College Algebra | 50 | MAT 128 Algebra | 3 |
| College Algebra | 63 | MAT 151 College Algebra | 4 |
| Pre-Calculus | 50 | MAT 152 Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| Calculus | 50 | MAT 160 Calculus I | 4 |
| American Government | 50 | POL 120 American National Govt. | 3 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | PSY 140 General Psychology | 3 |
| Human Growth & Development | 50 | PSY 210 Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| Intro to Educational Psychology | 50 | PSY 235 Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | SOC 110 Introduction Sociology | 3 |
| Social Science - History | 50 | SOC 270 Social Science Elective & HIS 270 History Elective | 6 |
| College Spanish - Levels 1 and 2 | 50 | SPA 101 & 102 Elementary Spanish I & II | 6 |
| College Spanish - Level 1 and 2 | 63 | SPA 101 & 102 Elementary Spanish I & II and SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I | 9 |
| Spanish with Writing | 50 | SPA 101 & 102 Elementary Spanish I & II | 6 |
| Spanish with Writing | 65 | SPA 101 & 102 Elementary Spanish I & II and SPA 201 & 202 Intermediate Spanish I & 2 | 12 |
* To receive credit for the American Literature exam, an essay is also required. Please make a phone appointment with a prior learning advisor (610-359-5322) for more information.
For information on how to register for a CLEP test and how to schedule a CLEP test at the College, please visit our Testing Services website.
Credit by Examination
When there is no CLEP exam in a subject area or when a student cannot fully document his or her previous learning through a portfolio, there is another option: an examination that will assess the relationship of your prior learning to that of College courses. College faculty members develop such exams. These exams are arranged only through the Assessment Services. Please call for an appointment, and note that not every course can be assessed via credit by examination.
This option can be pursued only if you are not registered in the course for which the exam is sought. If you are enrolled in a course and choose the exam option, you may discuss the "challenge exam" option with the instructor. For additional information on the challenge exam procedure, consult the College’s Student Handbook.
Credit for Military Training Schools
Veterans and current military personnel may have Assessment Services evaluate their previous military educational experience and courses for transfer credit. The military training school/course(s) must be recommended for credit by ACE (American Council on Education). To begin this process, you need to submit validated records of training programs or military courses to Assessment Services.
Learn more about the College’s Veterans Services.
American Council on Education (ACE)
Courses and programs offered through organizations (AT&T, GE, AIB, Police Academy, etc.) can be evaluated for credit. Consult Assessment Services for more information.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Delaware County Community College recognizes superior achievement in secondary schools by granting advanced-placement college credits to qualified students.
Advanced placement examinations are administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Students should have their official scores sent directly to the Assessment Center.
AP credit is awarded to students earning an appropriate score on CEEB advanced placement examinations in the areas listed below, subject to instructor approval. For specific score requirements contact the Assessment Center.
The College also offers advanced placement credit for successfully completed coursework through partnership agreements with secondary schools and through the Intermediate Units in Delaware and Chester Counties.
Below is a listing of Delaware County Community College courses that may be challenged through AP.
Course descriptions and prerequisite information are available in the College Catalog.
For more information about how the credits received through AP Exams apply to students' major and transcripts, please see the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center's Credit by Examination and also make an appointment to meet with one of our Assessment Advisors at Delaware County Community College.
|
Advanced Placement (AP) Test |
Pass Score |
Course |
Credit |
| African-American Studies | 3 | HIS 201 African-American History | 3 |
|
American Government |
3 |
POL 120 American National Government |
3 |
|
Biology |
5 |
BIO 110 & BIO 111 General Biology I & II |
8 |
|
Biology |
3 |
BIO 110 General Biology I |
4 |
|
Calculus AB |
3 |
MAT 136 Business Calculus |
3 |
|
Calculus AB |
4 |
MAT 160 Calculus I |
4 |
|
Calculus BC |
3 (with subscore 3) |
MAT 136 Business Calculus |
3 |
|
Calculus BC |
3 (with subscore 4) |
MAT 160 Calculus I |
4 |
|
Calculus BC |
4 |
MAT 160 & MAT 161 Calculus I & II |
8 |
|
Chemistry |
3 |
CHE 101 Introduction to General Chemistry |
4 |
|
Chemistry |
4 |
CHE110 & CHE 111 General Chemistry I & II |
8 |
|
Comparative Government and Politics |
3 |
POL 226 Comparative Politics |
3 |
|
Computer Science - A |
3 |
CS 104 Introduction to Java Programming |
3 |
|
Computer Science Principles (New 2016) |
3 |
CS 101 Introduction to Computer Science |
3 |
|
Computer Science-AB (1991-1997) |
3 |
CS 270 Computer Elective |
3 |
|
Computer Science-AB (1998 on) |
3 |
CS 212 Data Structures and Algorithms |
4 |
|
English Language and Composition |
3 |
ENG 100 English Composition I |
3 |
|
*English Literature and Composition |
3 |
ENG 270 (not ENG 100 per English faculty) |
3 |
|
Environmental Science |
3 |
ESS 270 Earth & Space Science |
3 |
|
European History |
3 |
HIS 150 World Civilizations I |
3 |
|
French Language and Culture |
3 |
FRE 101 Elementary French I |
3 |
|
French Language and Culture |
4 |
FRE 101 & FRE 102 Elementary French I & II |
6 |
|
German Language and Culture |
3 |
GER 101 Elementary German I |
3 |
|
German Language and Culture |
4 |
GER 101 & GER 102 Elementary German I & II |
6 |
|
History of Art |
3 |
** ART 110 or ART 111 |
3 |
|
Human Geography |
3 |
SOC 240 Human Geography |
3 |
|
Macroeconomics |
3 |
ECO 210 Macroeconomic Principles |
3 |
|
Microeconomics |
3 |
ECO 220 Microeconomic Principles |
3 |
|
Music Listening & Literature |
3 |
MUS 120 Introduction to Music |
3 |
|
Music Theory |
3 |
MUS 122 Reading and Writing Music |
3 |
|
AP Physics I |
3 |
PHY 270 Physics Elective |
4 |
|
AP Physics I |
4 |
PHY 110 College Physics I |
4 |
|
AP Physics II |
3 |
PHY 270 Physics Elective |
4 |
|
AP Physics II |
4 |
PHY 111 College Physics II |
4 |
|
Physics C-Mech |
3 |
PHY 270 Physics Elective |
4 |
|
Physics C-Mech |
4 |
PHY 131 University Physics I |
4 |
|
Physics C-E&M |
3 |
PHY 270 Physics Elective |
4 |
|
Physics C-E&M |
4 |
PHY 132 University Physics II |
4 |
| Precalculus | 4 | MAT 151 College Algebra | 4 |
|
Psychology |
3 |
PSY 140 General Psychology |
3 |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
3 |
SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I |
3 |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
4 |
SPA 101 & SPA 102 Elementary Spanish I & II |
6 |
|
Spanish Literature and Culture |
3 |
SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I |
3 |
|
Spanish Literature and Culture |
4 |
SPA 101 & SPA 102 Elementary Spanish I & II |
6 |
|
Statistics |
3 |
MAT 210 Statistics |
3 |
|
***Studio Art: Drawing, 2D Design, 3D Design |
*** |
|
|
|
U.S. Government and Politics |
3 |
POL 120 American National Government |
3 |
|
U.S. History |
3 |
HIS 110 & HIS 120 American History I & II |
6 |
|
World History |
3 |
HIS 160 World Civilizations II |
3 |
*The English Literature and Composition exam is not equivalent to ENG 100 or 112. This exam is transferred in as an English elective (ENG 270). A minimum score of 3 on this exam will waive the English placement test, but credit for ENG 100 is only awarded for the English Language and Composition exam.
** Either ART 110 Art from the Ancient Worlds through the Middle Ages or ART 111 Art from the Renaissance through Contemporary Times.
***There are three Studio Art AP exams which the student completes by portfolio: Drawing, 2 Dimensional Design and 3 Dimensional Design. The Drawing Portfolio can include Painting, Printmaking or Mixed Media, and includes both a Quality section (actual work) and Concentration and Breadth sections (digital works). All Studio Art AP exams must be assessed by faculty in the Art Department; a minimum score of 4 or above will be evaluated for transfer credit.
DSST
Like the CLEP tests, DSST tests are standardized exams that measure students' knowledge of the material covered in certain introductory college courses. DSST credit is treated as transfer credit and is awarded only for a passing score on an exam. Non-passing scores do not appear on students' transcripts. Delaware County Community College awards credit for DSST exams based on the recommendation from the American Council for Education and from the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Faculty within each department research the content of each exam to determine if the course competencies are met before credit is awarded. A score of 400 equates to a "C" grade.
For an overview of the DSST, please visit DSST Exams.
Below is a listing of Delaware County Community College courses that may be challenged through DSST. Course descriptions and Prerequisite information are available in the College Catalog.
For more information about how the credits received through DSST Exams apply to students' major and transcripts, please see the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center's Credit by Examination and also make an appointment to meet with one of our Assessment Advisors at Delaware County Community College.
|
DSST Exam |
Pass Score |
Course |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
A History of the Vietnam War (DSST 0100) |
400 |
HIS 270 Elective |
3 |
|
Art of the Western World (DSST 0200) |
400 |
*ART 110 Art from the Ancient Worlds through the Middle Ages |
3 |
| Astronomy (DSST 0300) | 400 | ESS 290 Elective (No Lab) | 3 |
|
Business Ethics And Society (DSST 3800) |
400 |
HUM 270 Elective |
3 |
| Business Mathematics (DSST 0500) | 400 | BUS 104 Mathematics for Business | 3 |
|
Criminal Justice (DSST 0600) |
400 |
ADJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
| Computing and Information Technology (DSST 3900) | 400 | CS 100 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
|
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (DSST 4200) |
400 |
NET 142 Cyber and Network Security Concepts |
4 |
| Fundamentals of Counseling (DSST 1200) | 400 | PSY 270 Elective | 3 |
| Environmental Science (DSST 4000) | 400 | ESS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Ethics in Technology (DSST 4100) | 400 | CS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Health & Human Development (DSST 4300) | 400 | AHM 270 Elective | 3 |
| General Anthropology (DSST 1300) | 400 | SOC 270 Elective | 3 |
|
History of the Soviet Union (Formerly Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union) (DSST 3400) |
434 |
HIS 270 Elective |
3 |
| Human Resource Management (DSST 1500) | 400 | BUS 270 Elective | 3 |
|
Introduction to Business (DSST 1700) |
400 |
BUS 100 Introduction to Business |
3 |
| Introduction to Geography (DSST 1600) | 400 | SOC 270 | 3 |
| Introduction to Geology (DSST 4400) | 400 | ESS 290 Elective (No Lab) | 3 |
|
Introduction to Law Enforcement (DSST 1900) |
400 |
ADJ 270 Elective |
3 |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology (DSST 2200) | 400 | PSY 210 | 3 |
| Management Information Systems (DSST 2300) | 400 | DPR 105 Management Information Systems | 3 |
|
Money and Banking (DSST 2400) |
400 | BUS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Personal Finance (DSST 2600) | 400 | BUS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Principles of Finance (DSST 2800) | 400 | BUS 232 Principles of Finance | 3 |
| Principles of Supervision (DSST 0700) | 400 | BUS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Substance Abuse (formerly Drug and Alcohol Abuse, DSST 0700) | 400 | PSY 270 Elective | 3 |
|
The Civil War and Reconstruction (DSST 3600) |
400 |
HIS 200 Civil War and Reconstruction |
3 |
* Or ART 111 Art from the Renaissance through Contemporary Times
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The international Baccalaureate (IB) assess students' work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of IB's Diploma Program courses. IB measures students' knowledge of the material covered in certain introductory college courses and its credit is treated as transfer credit and awarded only for a passing score on an exam. Non-passing scores do not appear on students' transcript. Delaware County Community College awards credit for DSST exams based on the recommendation from the American Council for Education and the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Faculty within each department research the content of the exam to determine if the course competencies are met before credit is awarded. A score of either a 4 equates to a "C" grade depending on the specific subject matter.
For an overview of the IB, please visit International Baccalaureate.
Below is a listing of Delaware County Community College courses that may be challenged through IB. Course descriptions and prerequisite information are available in the College Catalog.
For more information about how the credits received through IB Exams apply to students' major and transcripts, please see the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center's Credit by Examination and also make an appointment to meet with one of our Assessment Advisors at Delaware County Community College.
|
IB Exam |
Pass Score |
Course |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business and Management HL (IB 011) |
4 | BUS 210 Principles of Management | 3 |
| History HL (IB 0261) of History SL (IB 0451) | 4 | HIS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Biology HL (IB 0101) | 4 | BIO 100 Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Biology HL (IB 0101) | 5 | BIO 110 General Biology I | 4 |
| Chemistry HL (IB 0121) | 5 | CHE 110 General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Computer Science HL (IB 0131) | 5 | CS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Dance HL (IB 0621) | 4 | HUM 270 Elective | 3 |
| Design Tech. HL (IB 0141) | 5 | OPE 270 Elective | 3 |
| Economics HL (IB 0151) | 4 | ECO 270 Elective | 3 |
| Film HL (IB 0181) | 4 | HUM 141 Film Language | 3 |
| French B HL (IB 0211) | 5 | FRE 101 Elementary French I | 3 |
|
French B HL (IB 0211) |
6 |
FRE 101 & FRE 102 Elementary French I & II |
6 |
| Geography (IB 0221 | 3 | SOC 270 | 3 |
| German B HL (IB 0251) | 5 | GER 101 Elementary German I | 3 |
| German B HL (IB 0251) | 6 | GER 101 & 102 Elementary German I & II | 6 |
| Greek (Ancient Greek) HL (IB 0421) | 5 | HUM 270 | 3 |
| Information Technology in Global Society HL (IB 0271) | 5 | NET 270 Elective | 3 |
| Italian B HL (IB 0431) | 5 | ITA 101 Elementary Italian I | 3 |
| Italian B HL (IB 0431) | 6 | ITA 101 & 102 Elementary Italian I & II | 6 |
| Mathematics HL (IB 0301) | 4 | MAT 161 Calculus II | 4 |
| Further Mathematics HL (IB 0601) | 4 | MAT 200 Linear Algebra & MAT 230 Foundations of Discrete Mathematics | 6 |
| Music HL (IB 0311) | 4 | MUS 270 Elective | 3 |
| Physics HL (IB 0331) | 4 | PHY 110 College Physics I | 4 |
| Physics HL (IB 0331) | 5 | PHY 110 & 111 College Physics I & II | 8 |
| Psychology HL (IB0341) | 5 | PSY 270 Elective | 3 |
| Spanish B HL (IB 0381) | 5 | SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I | 3 |
| Spanish B HL (IB 0381) | 6 | SPA 101 & 102 Elementary Spanish I & II | 6 |
| Theatre HL (IB 0391) | 4 | DRA 100 Introduction to Theater | 3 |
| Visual Arts HL (IB 0411) | 4 | *ART 130 Drawing | 3 |
* Students will need to submit a digital version of their portfolio for review, up to 10 - 20 images. This can be submitted as a word doc., PDF, zip file, or through wetransfer.com.
Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR)
SOAR is a career and technical education initiative that establishes statewide articulations between secondary and post-secondary education. These programs of study enable high school graduates in career or technical programs to earn college credit that can be applied to their continued studies at the post-secondary level. Assessment advisors in Assessment Services will provide assistance in obtaining credits from Delaware County Community College. For additional information, make a telephone appointment (contact information is at the top of this page) with an assessment advisor.
Visit Transfer.net to see how your high school credits may be accepted by the College.
Click the SOAR logo below for additional information.
