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Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) has defined and published policies for evaluating,
awarding and accepting academic credit. Policies meet the guidelines set forth in Kentucky Revised
Statute (KRS) 164.583
[1],
KRS 164.098
[2],
and the Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTCS) Board of Regents Policy 1.3.2.3
[3].
These policies are published on the BSCTC eCatalog
[4]
and in the KCTCS
[5]
catalog. Published policies are consistent with the BSCTC mission to "promote excellence in
teaching, learning, and other college services to ensure that each student has the opportunity to
attain his or her fullest potential, whether through preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate
program, immediate transition to the workforce, or increased skills for lifelong learning."
All credits, with the exception of developmental courses, awarded at BSCTC are consistent with
college-level coursework.
As shown below, various mechanisms exist for awarding credit as identified in the KCTCS 2006-2007 catalog
[5]
on pages 57-61, the BSCTC eCatalog
[4],
and BSCTC Student Handbook
[6].
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Transfer Frameworks
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A 60-credit hour framework has been designed by a partnership of the Council on Postsecondary
Education (CPE), the universities, and KCTCS colleges
[7]
for nearly 200 different bachelor's degree programs (majors) offered in the state. Each framework
is different-representing a specific guide to the exact courses a student needs to successfully
complete to reach his or her junior year in a specific major in a four-year baccalaureate program.
Information about specific frameworks and copies of frameworks may be obtained from academic
advisors or admissions offices. A complete set of frameworks is available on the Council on
Postsecondary Education's web site
[8].
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Credit for External Experiences
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KCTCS colleges recognize that valid credit-level learning experiences occur outside the traditional
classroom setting. Colleges will assist students in recognizing appropriate external experiences
and applying them toward a KCTCS credential. Colleges reserve the right to validate student
competence through the mechanisms described in this below.
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- Advanced Placement Program KRS 164.098
[2]
requires Kentucky Institutions to award credit for scores of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement
Tests. The colleges participate in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination
Board. Interested students should have their examination results sent to BSCTC's Admission Office.
[9]
- American Council on Education-Students may receive credit for learning experiences
in industry, business, and government as recommended by the American Council on Education. The
recommendations for awarding credit appear in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training
Programs, published by ACE
[10].
- Articulation Agreements-Articulation agreements provide an avenue to recognize
course work taken at other institutions. The award of credit applicable to KCTCS credentials is subject
to the specific terms of each agreement and all requirements specified in the agreement must be met before
credit can be awarded.
- Certified Professional Secretary Examination-KCTCS colleges recognize the
Certified Professional Secretary Examination of the Institute for Certifying Secretaries of the
Professional Secretaries International. Students who successfully pass the Certified Professional
Secretary Examination may receive a maximum of 24 credit hours in specified courses. Students must first
complete 12 credit hours in residence at BSCTC.
- Child Development Associate-KCTCS colleges recognize the Child Development Associate
(CDA) credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition and will grant up to nine credit hours
(IECE 101, IECE 102, and/or IECE 190) to students who successfully complete one IECE course.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)-KCTCS colleges accept the General and
Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The Subject Examinations cover
specific material which is common to courses in many colleges and universities. The level of proficiency
to earn credit through CLEP is approximately equivalent to that required to earn a "C" in the course.
- Industry Standard Certification Examinations (Microsoft, Novell, A+, Cisco)-A
student who has completed and passed an industry standard certification examination administered by an
authorized testing center may earn up to a maximum of 24 credit hours equivalent to the course(s) within
the program of study as specified in the Information Technology curriculum. Credit will be granted only
upon receipt of an official proof of certification credential stating the date passed. A copy of the
credential must be filed as part of the student's permanent record. The credential must be accepted
within two years of the date specified on the examination.
- Military Service Experiences-A student may receive course credit in recognition of
college-level work completed through the United States Armed Forces Institute or the Defense Agency for
Nontraditional Support Education in which the student has achieved a score minimum to the 35th percentile.
- National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Examination-A student who has passed the
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) entry-level examination within five years of admission to the
respiratory care program will be awarded credit for specified courses after completion of the first-year
general education courses in the approved curriculum.
- Special Exam (STEP or Challenge)-Institutionally developed and administered exams
provide an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course content and receive credit toward program requirements.
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Non-Classroom Learning Experiences
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- Cooperative Education and Practicum Experience-Many of the diploma and degree programs
offered through the colleges have cooperative education and practicum experience components included in the curriculum.
- Service Learning-Students have the opportunity to enroll in service learning programs
which are designed to integrate community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical and
reflective thinking, and civic responsibility.
- Credit for Prior Learning-Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio students may contact
any KCTCS college for information regarding applications for college credit via portfolio.
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In addition, BSCTC entered into agreements with Indiana Wesleyan University,
Lindsey Wilson College, Midway College for specific degree programs utilizing the credit earned at BSCTC
toward the baccalaureate degree. Memorandum of Agreements with these institutions are reviewed annually
[11].
KCTCS and BSCTC policies regarding the receipt of credit from other colleges and external agencies comply
with the national standards of good practice. BSCTC follows the American Association of Collegiate Registrars
and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) guidelines
[12]
and standards for best practices in records management,
admissions, and enrollment management and assumes responsibility for the academic quality of any coursework
or credit recorded on student transcripts awarded by the college.
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