Prior Learning Credit

Note: Kirtland does not guarantee the credits awarded through Prior Learning will transfer to other institutions. All institutions reserve the right to review credits to determine how awarded credits apply to their own institution.

Criteria: A student must have a Kirtland application on file, have earned at least one credit hour at Kirtland, be in good academic standing, and be actively seeking a certificate or a degree to be eligible for prior learning credit options. Prior learning credit may be specific course credit or an elective credit in a specific area. Program requirements should be reviewed to determine how prior learning credits will apply towards graduation. These credits cannot be applied toward satisfying minimum residency requirements for graduation. A credit grade (CR) will be awarded for proficiency exams and for portfolios evaluated at a 2.0 or better grade level. A maximum number of 15 credits can be awarded through CLEP/DSST, Advanced Placement (AP), departmental exams, and portfolio options. This does not apply to credit earned by licensure.

Ways to earn Prior Learning Credit:

CLEP, DSST, and AP are recommended methods for general education courses:

Credit by examination

CLEP/DSST: Students will go to kirtland.edu/testing-center and scroll down to the headings CLEP Exams and DSST Exams. Under each section, there is general information about each test and a list of how these exams transfer into Kirtland. There is also an Exam Registration link that lists dates and times when testing is available. There is a $20 administrative fee for each exam, which will be paid to the Student Financial Services office. There is also a fee set by CLEP and DSST, which will be paid to them directly via credit card when the student comes in to take the exam. Students can then request their CLEP or DSST transcripts to be sent to the Kirtland Registrar’s office in order to be evaluated for college credit.

Advanced Placement (AP): 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. Students can take AP examinations, which are scored on a 5-point scale. A minimum score of 3 is considered passing and required for transfer of most courses. The student must arrange for an official report of AP examination scores to be sent to the Kirtland Registrar’s office in order to be evaluated for college credit.

>> Explore Advanced Placement Program (AP) tests and course equivalents

Departmental exam (For occupational programs/classes only)

If a nationally recognized standardized test is not available, the student will contact the Dean or Director of his/her program to see if an exam is available. If so, the student will complete and submit an Application for Credit by Departmental Exam, return it to the Dean, and the Dean will then contact the appropriate instructor. This instructor will then approve or disapprove the student’s request. If approved, a test will be prepared and testing will be scheduled. There is a $60 fee for each test administered and a flat rate of $100 for posting credit. This must be paid to the Student Financial Services department. The instructor will grade the test, attach it to the Evaluation of Prior Learning form, and send it to the Registrar’s office indicating approval or disapproval of credit. The student will be notified of the final recommendation by the Registrar’s office. (Note: If a student failed, withdrew, or did not meet a placement test requirement, the student will not be allowed to take an exam for that particular class).

 Recommended methods for vocational courses:

Possession of licensure

The student will meet with their academic advisor. If licensure of educational attainment is applicable to the student’s program of study, the advisor will fill out an Evaluation of Prior Learning form and indicate what course(s) the student is petitioning credit for. A copy of their current state license should be attached. This information will be placed in the student’s academic record. There is not an administrative or posting fee required for students obtaining credit via licensure (Example: LPN, EMT, and cosmetology licensure).

Portfolio assessment (For occupational programs/classes only)

The student will meet with their academic advisor to discuss and provide evidence of their work experience, and the advisor will determine if this is a viable option for the student. If recommended, the student and Dean must sign the Portfolio Assessment Fee and Contract and pay the $60 assessment fee for each portfolio submitted. The student will then compile a portfolio demonstrating competencies in the course(s) in which they are attempting to obtain credit.

Portfolio contents should be ordered in the following manner:

• Cover page with name, date, program of study, and ID number of the student
• Resume
• Copies of college transcripts from all institutions attended
• Credit requested based on Professional Schools & Training should include the following for each course(s) for which credit is being petitioned:
  • Professional development and training documentation including certificates of completion, statements of clock hours completed, etc.
  • Essay with examples explaining how previous experiences directly meet learning outcomes for that particular course
  • Certificates, copies of licenses, or other relevant documentation

Portfolios should be compiled and placed in a side-bound 8.5 x 11 inch 3-ring binder. Everything should be organized and presented in a professional manner. Because all portfolios become the property of Kirtland Community College, students are encouraged to make a copy of the portfolio for themselves and to only put copies (not originals) of certificates into the portfolio which is submitted for evaluation. The student will submit their completed portfolio to the appropriate faculty member for review. The faculty member will then fill out the Evaluation of Prior Learning form indicating approval or disapproval of credit and bring that form with the portfolio to the Registrar’s office. The portfolios will be stored in the Registrar’s office.

If credit is approved, the student will need to pay a $100 posting fee to Student Financial Services, and the Registrar will post the recommended credit.