Credit for Prior Learning
KCTCS colleges recognize that valid college-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 variety of mechanisms described in this section.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Program
KRS 164.098 requires Kentucky Institutions to award credit for scores of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Tests. KCTCS colleges participate in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Interested students should have their official examination results sent to the Admissions Office of their local KCTCS College. Students are responsible for providing a transcript of AP credits earned. - Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreements provide a mechanism to accept and award credit for courses that will transfer toward a credential. Articulation agreements specify the terms and conditions for courses taken at other institutions that will apply to a KCTCS credential, and/or the terms and conditions for courses taken at KCTCS that will apply to credentials or degree programs at other institutions. In either case, the award of applicable credit to the credential is subject to the specific terms of each agreement and all requirements specified in the agreement must be met before credit can be awarded. For information about articulation agreements for KCTCS credentials, contact the college Student Records Office. - 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. Students are responsible for providing a transcript of CLEP credits earned. - Military Service Experience
A student may receive course credit in recognition of collegiate-level credit completed through DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests). To receive course credit for successful DSST exams, the student must have received a minimum standard score of 46. Credit will be given only upon receipt of an official DSST score report or transcript. A student may receive course credit where appropriate and equivalent courses are available for formal military training as recommended in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services (ACE Guide), published by the American Council on Education (ACE). - Special Exam: STEP (Special Technical Education Proficiency) or Challenge
Institutionally developed and administered exams provide an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course content and receive credit toward program requirements. The student must be accepted for admission and enrolled in the college and apply for the exam through the Student Records Office. For more information, see “Tuition and Charges.” A STEP test is a method for students to earn credit in technical courses by assessing learning acquired through non-college experiences. Challenge exams provide students the opportunity to test out of courses that are not required for the program but are prerequisites for the higher-level required program courses. - Portfolio - Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio students may contact any KCTCS college for information regarding applications for college credit via portfolio. For more information, see “Tuition and Charges.” - Non-Classroom Learning Experiences
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- Work-Based Learning Experiences
Many of the diploma and degree programs offered through the colleges have Work-Based Learning included in the curriculum. Work-Based Learning refers to the programs that offer academic credit for degree-related work experience during a specific semester. The experiences and credit awarded vary according to the program’s requirements. These experiences must be planned and supervised by the college and the employer to ensure that the work experience contributes to the student’s education and career objective. The cornerstone of Work-Based Learning is Cooperative Education. Other programs that are considered part of Work-Based Learning are Internships, Practicums and Experiential Learning. These courses afford the student a unique opportunity to integrate formal classroom training with supervised work experience. - 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. Service-learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing academic skill, sense of civic responsibility and commitment to the community.
- Work-Based Learning Experiences
STANDARDS FOR AWARDING CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
KCTCS Colleges utilize credit for learning experiences in industry, business and government as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). The recommendations for awarding credit appear in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs, published by the ACE. KCTCS Colleges utilize best practices and standards provided through the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) when awarding credit for prior learning.
| AP Subject Examination | Scaled Score to Earn Credit | Equivalent Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP Research Capstone | 3-5 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| AP Seminar | 3-5 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| Art History | 3 | ART 105 or ART 106 | 6 credit hours |
| Biology | 3-5 | BIO 112 | 3 credit hours |
| Calculus AB | 3-5 | MAT 175 | 5 credit hours |
| Calculus BC | 3-5 | MAT 175 and MAT 185 | 10 credit hours |
| Chemistry | 3 | CHE 170 | 4 credit hours |
| 4-5 | CHE 170 and CHE 180 | 8 credit hours | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | RAE 150 | 4 credit hours |
| 4-5 | RAE 150 and RAE 151 | 8 credit hours | |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3-5 | POL 210 | 3 credit hours |
| Computer Science A | 3 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | CIT 149 | 3 credit hours | |
| Computer Science Principles | 3-5 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| English Literature/Composition | 3-5 | ENG 161 | 3 credit hours |
| English Literature/Composition | 3-5 | ENG 101 | 3 credit hours |
| Environmental Science | 3-5 | EST 150 | 4 credit hours |
| European History | 3-5 | HIS 104 and HIS 105 | 6 credit hours |
| French Language | 3 | FRE 201 | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | FRE 201 and FRE 202 | 6 credit hours | |
| Greman Language | 3 | GER 201 | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | GER 201 and GER 202 | 6 credit hours | |
| Human Geography | 3-5 | GEO 172 | 3 credit hours |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | Elective Credit | 6 credit hours | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | JPN 201 | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | JPN 201 and JPN 202 | 6 credit hours | |
| Latin: Vergil | 3 | Elective Credit | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | Elective Credit | 6 credit hours | |
| Microeconomics | 3-5 | ECO 201 | 3 credit hours |
| Microeconomics | 3-5 | ECO 202 | 3 credit hours |
| Music Theory | 3-5 | MUS 174 | 3 credit hours |
| Physics 1 | 3-5 | PHY 201 | 4 credit hours |
| Physics 2 | 3-5 | PHY 203 | 4 credit hours |
| Psychology | 3-5 | PSY 110 | 3 credit hours |
| Spanish Language | 3 | SPA 201 | 3 credit hours |
| 4-5 | SPA 201 and SPA 202 | 6 credit hours | |
| Spanish Literature | 3-5 | Elective Credit (humanities)¹ |
3 credit hours |
| Statistics | 3-5 | STA 220 | 3 credit hours |
| Studio Art 2-D Design | 3-5 | ART 112 | 3 credit hours |
| Studio Art 3-D Design | 3-5 | ART 113 | 3 credit hours |
| Studio Art – Drawing | 3-5 | ART 110 | 3 credit hours |
| US Government & Politics | 3-5 | POL 101 | 3 credit hours |
| US History | 3-5 | HIS 108 and HIS 109 | 6 credit hours |
| World History | 3-5 | HIS 101 | 3 credit hours |
- KCTCS does not offer courses that are an exact equivalent for the AP subject offered. Appropriate General Education or technical elective credit is awarded in these cases.
- Upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience, credit will also be given for the laboratory portions of these courses.
AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION
Students may receive credit for learning experiences in industry, business and government as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). The recommendations for awarding credit appear in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs, published by the ACE.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
Articulation agreements provide a mechanism to accept and award credit for courses that will transfer toward a credential. Articulation agreements specify the terms and conditions for courses taken at other institutions that will apply to a KCTCS credential, and/or the terms and conditions for courses taken at KCTCS that will apply to credentials or degree programs at other institutions. In either case, the award of applicable credit to the credential is subject to the specific terms of each agreement and all requirements specified in the agreement must be met before credit can be awarded. For information about articulation agreements for KCTCS credentials, contact the college Student Records Office.
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.
| CLEP Subject Examination | Scaled Score to Earn Credit | Equivalent Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Languages | |||
| College Level French Language | 50-69 | FRE 201 | 3 |
| College Level French Language | 70 or above | FRE 201, FRE 202 | 6 |
| College Level German Language | 50-69 | GER 201 | 3 |
| College Level German Language | 70 or above | GER 201, GER 202 | 6 |
| College Level Spanish Language | 50-69 | SPA 201 | 3 |
| College Level Spanish Language | 70 or above | SPA 201, SPA 202 | 6 |
| History and Social Sciences | |||
| American Government | 50 or above | POL 101 | 3 |
| History of the United States I | 50 or above | HIS 108 | 3 |
| History of the United States II | 50 or above | HIS 109 | 3 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 or above | PSY 110 | 3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 or above | ECO 202 | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 or above | ECO 201 | 3 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 or above | SOC 101 | 3 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 or above | HIS 104 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 or above | HIS 105 | 3 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 or above | SOC 101 | 3 |
| Human Growth and Developmental | 50 or above | AHS 100 | 2 |
| Science and Mathematics | |||
| Calculus | 50 or above | MAT 174 or MAT 175 | 4,5 |
| College Mathematics | 50 or above | MAT 146 | 3 |
| College Algebra | 50 or above | MAT 150 | 3 |
| Pre-Calculus | 50 or above | MAT 160 | 5 |
| Biology | 50-59 | BIO 112 | 3 |
| Biology | 60-64 | BIO 120,BIO 112 | 6 |
| Biology | 65-80 | BIO 150, BIO 152 | 6 |
| General Chemistry | 50 or above | CHE 170, CHE 180 | 8 |
| Natural Science | 50 or above | BIO 112 | 3 |
| Business and Computer Applications | |||
| Financial Accounting | 50 or above | ACC 201 | 3 |
| Principles of Management | 50 or above | BAS 283 | 3 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 or above | BAS 282 | 3 |
| Introduction to Business Law | 50 or above | BAS 267 | 3 |
| Information Systems | 50 or above | Elective Credit | 3 |
| English and Humanities | |||
| American Literature | 50 or above | ENG 251 | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 or above | ENG 161 | 3 |
| English Literature | 50 or above | ENG 161 | 3 |
| Humanities | 50 or above | HUM 120 | 3 |
| College Composition, College Composition Modular | 50 or above | ENG 101 | 3 |
| IB Course | Score | Credit Awarded | Credit Statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology HL | 4 | BIO 152 | 3 credit hours |
| Biology SL | 4 | BIO 112 | 3 credit hours |
| Chemistry HL | 4 | CHE 170, CHE 180 | 8 credit hours |
| Chemistry SL | 4 | CHE 140 | 3 credit hours |
| English A: Literature HL | 4 | ENG 101 | 3 credit hours |
| French B HL | 5 | FRE 201, FRE 201 | 6 credit hours |
| French B SL | 5 | FRE 101, FRE 102 | 8 credit hours |
| History HL | 5 | HIS 108, HIS 109 | 6 credit hours |
| Mathematics HL | 5 | MA 113 | 4 credit hours |
| Mathematics SL | 5 | MAT 170 | 3 credit hours |
| Math Studies SL | 5 | Technical Math Elective | 3 credit hours |
| Music SL/HL | 4 | MUS 100 | 3 credit hours |
| Physics SL/HL | 5 | PHY 2011 | 4 credit hours |
| Psychology SL | 4 | PSY 110 | 3 credit hours |
| Spanish B HL | 5 | SPA 201, SPA 202 | 6 credit hours |
| Spanish B SL | 5 | SPA 101, SPA 102 | 8 credit hours |
| Theatre Arts HL/SL | 4 | THA 101 | 3 credit hours |
| Visual Art HL/SL | 4 | ART 100 | 3 credit hours |
- Upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience, credit will also be given for the laboratory associated with this course, PHY 202 College Physics I Laboratory (1 credit hours).
INDUSTRY STANDARD CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS
Military Service Experience
A student may receive course credit in recognition of collegiate-level credit completed through DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests). To receive course credit for successful DSST exams, the student must have received a minimum standard score of 46. Credit will be given only upon receipt of an official DSST score report or transcript. A student may receive course credit where appropriate and equivalent courses are available for formal military training as recommended in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services (ACE Guide), published by the American Council on Education.
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. The student must be accepted for admission and enrolled in the college and apply for the exam through the Student Records Office. For more information, see “Tuition and Charges.”
Credit for Prior Learning Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio students may contact Carla Branham, Registrar at cbranham0022@kctcs.edu or by calling 606/889-4827.
