Prior Learning Assessment
We recognize that many of our students come to us with a wealth of learning achieved through experiences outside a college classroom. The College sponsors several programs to help students convert those learning experiences into college credits that may be applied toward a certificate or degree.
These include the Articulation Program, Credit by Examination, the College Level Examination, and Credit for Experiential Learning and Specialized Experience. Contact the Campus Admissions Office or the Campus Academic Officer for additional information on the programs listed below.
Options to Prior Learning Credit
Wayne County Community College District recognizes that many of our students come to us with a wealth of learning which was achieved through experiences outside a college classroom. The College sponsors several programs which are designed to help students convert those learning experiences into college credit that may be applied toward a certificate or degree. These include the Articulation Program, Credit by Examination, the College Level Examination, Credit for Experiential Learning and Credit for Specialized Experience. Contact the Campus Admissions Office or the Campus Academic Officer for additional Information on the programs listed below.
Credit may be earned for some courses in the current catalog through special examination upon the recommendation of the academic officer, program director, or program committee. Credit earned in this manner will satisfy degree and certificate requirements.
The CLEP test is based on the premise that individuals acquire knowledge informally throughout their lives. The test allows them to convert this knowledge into college credit. This opportunity may be particularly useful to the occupational career student, adult student, and the student who did not graduate from high school but who has acquired some special expertise. There are two types of CLEP tests available: the General Examinations, which measure knowledge in basic liberal arts areas (English composition, humanities, mathematics, and social science — history), and the Subject Examinations which measure achievement in 37 specific college courses. When prior college credit has been earned on a formal basis in the subject area, no CLEP credit will be allowed. Credit is granted for tests with scores which rank at the 50th percentile or higher based on sophomore norms presented in tables of percentile ranks provided by the College Entrance Examination Board, which developed and standardized the CLEP test.
A maximum of one year of credit (30 semester hours) may be allowed for pre-college learning. This credit will apply toward WCCCD degrees and certificates. Most examinations are given once each month and may be taken by WCCCD students at the Counseling and Testing Bureau of Wayne State University. Descriptive brochures and applications are available at Wayne State University, 5050 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
If you wish to receive credit for learning you have achieved through experience but do not wish to use the CLEP or Credit by Examination programs, you may take advantage of our experiential learning program. To do this you must prepare a portfolio which includes the following information:
1. Courses you wish credit for
2. Learning goals that you have achieved
3. Documentation of the achievement of the learning goals
This portfolio is then reviewed by our faculty to determine if credit may be awarded. Several things about experiential learning are important to understand as you consider using this opportunity to earn credit. First, credit is granted for learning achieved from experience, not for the experience itself. In developing your portfolio, you will need to demonstrate that your experiences have helped you gain both theoretical and practical knowledge at the same level as you would have achieved by taking the course. Second, the process of developing a successful portfolio is as time consuming as taking a course. Therefore, we recommend that you consider this option only if you wish to receive credit for a group of courses. Credit for a single course is earned more efficiently through credit by examination or the CLEP program.
There is a $10 processing fee for credit for experiential learning. In addition the fee for this service is an amount equal to half the normal tuition for the courses you are seeking credit for. The campus academic officer or program director can provide you with the directions and the forms necessary to receive credit for experiential learning.
Wayne County Community College District will grant four credit hours of credit, without fee payment, for the Fire Academy, Police Academy, Emergency Medical Training, military service, 20WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT conscientious objector, Peace Corps, or Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) service and experience, subject to the following stipulations:
- Credit will be granted only for one of these training or service experiences.
- Credit for military service will be granted only for one year or more active duty service.
- Credit for Fire and Police Academy experience will be granted only after completion of academy training and one year of active duty with a public fire protection or law enforcement agency.
- Credit for Peace Corps and VISTA experience will be granted only after completion of the appropriate tour of duty.
- Credit for conscientious objector service will be granted only for those objectors who rendered service to the community as a result of their legally determined conscientious objector status.
- This credit will not satisfy any part of the 15 credits at WCCCD required for graduation.
- This credit is general elective credit and does not apply toward the fulfillment of any general education requirement for a degree.
- This credit will be recorded on the student’s academic record, without grade, as follows:
COE 999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 credits
Conscientious Objector Service EMS 999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 credits
Emergency Medical Training FAE 999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits
Fire Academy Experience MSE 999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits
Military Service Experience PAE 999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits
Police Academy Experience PCE 999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits
Peace Corps Experience VSE 999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits
VISTA Experience
- To obtain this credit, students must meet the following criteria:
a. Be currently registered or have earned credit for at least one WCCCD credited course
b. Present official certificates to the Registrar attesting to the Fire Academy training (diploma or other official verification); military service (DD 214 preferred); or Peace Corps, VISTA, Police Academy, or Emergency Medical Training experience. Contact 313-496-2862 for further information.
Obtaining Credit for Experience
The student acquires a Credit for Experience application. Prior to completing the application, the student must meet with his/her appropriate academic administrator or campus advisor to review the appropriateness of requesting credit for experience.
The student completes the application and attaches all necessary documentation.
The student submits an application to the Instruction and Accountability office for approval from the appropriate academic administrator.
The Educational Affairs office will notify the student of the final recommendation within four weeks.
Upon the approval of the appropriate academic administrator:
- The cashier computes the charge, collects funds, stamps all copies of the form set as “PAID” and retains one copy.
- The student retains one copy stamped “PAID” and returns the remaining copies to the District Records Office.
- The student records office enters the credit as “CFE” into the computer master transcript file and retains the original in the student’s hard copy file.
Apply for Credit for Experience
Click here to view Credit for Experience (Experiential Learning)
