College Credit for Experience Outside the Classroom

Advanced Placement Program (APP)

The APP is an organized instructional and/or testing program offered in high school in cooperation with the College Entrance Examination Board. High school courses may be offered through the program for college credit, or credit may be given for course areas not offered by the APP if the student passes an AP examination given by the College Board. College credit granted through an APP examination will be recorded as “AP” and will not be used in computing a grade point average. Approved credit will be posted to the student’s record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at Richland. High school students interested in the Advanced Placement Program should contact their high school counselor.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The International Baccalaureate program offers college preparatory coursework. Course credit is awarded based on appropriate scores. Students who have participated in the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme should have the official IB transcript sent to Richland Community College.

Proficiency by Advanced Course

Some courses are organized in sequence so that completion of an advanced course depends on knowledge gained from a previous course. Students who satisfactorily complete the advanced course at Richland without taking the previous course may be eligible for college credit for the previous course. Course sequences in which students may apply for proficiency by advanced course are listed below, along with the minimum grade required in the advanced course to earn credit for the lower course:

Students desiring credit by advanced course must apply officially for such credit within four years following completion of the advanced course. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Dean of the appropriate division.

To apply for proficiency credit, students must obtain a “Required for Proficiency Credit by Advanced Course” form from the Student Success Center or from the appropriate Dean. A fee of $20.00 per semester hour will be charged for consideration of the student’s request and may be refunded only if the student is not eligible to receive such college credit. Contact the Registrar for additional information.

Credit Equivalency by Exam

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Richland participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which allow students to obtain college credit based on their learning outside the classroom. CLEP examinations are available in over 30 areas, including Social Science, Natural Science, Humanities, and Mathematics. Credit through a CLEP examination may be applied to a degree or certificate as general education or elective(s).

Credit granted through a CLEP examination will be recorded as credit and will not be used in computing a grade point average. Credit will be recorded after completion of eight (8) semester hours toward an associate’s degree or certificate program. Students should check with the Registrar to verify how CLEP will be applied. Students who have enrolled in college study before attempting a CLEP examination will not be granted credit if they attempt an examination after they have received a grade for that specific course or for prior college study that is directly related to an exam taken.

For more information or to register to take a CLEP examination, contact the Testing Center, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6238, or the Academic Success Center, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6419. Payment for exams is made at the time of registration; the fee is not refundable.

DSST Prometrics

Richland participates in the DSST Prometrics Examination Program, which allow students to obtain college credit based on their learning outside the classroom. DSST Prometrics exams are available in areas such as education, criminal justice, finance, business, and world religions. Credit through a DSST Prometrics examination may be applied to a degree or certificate as general education or elective(s). Credit granted through a DSST Prometrics examination will be recorded as credit and will not be used in computing a grade point average. Credit will be recorded after completion of eight (8) semester hours toward an associate’s degree or certificate program.

Students should check with the Registrar to verify how DSST will be applied. Students who have enrolled in college study before attempting a DSST Prometrics examination will not be granted credit if they attempt an examination after they have received a grade for that specific course or for prior college study that is directly related to an exam taken.

For more information or to register to take a DSST Prometrics examination, contact the Testing Center, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6238, or the Academic Success Center, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6419. Payment for exams is made at the time of registration; the fee is not refundable.

Proficiency Examination

Students with wide varieties of educational experience may convert this experience into college credit on the basis of evaluations by designated Richland Community College personnel and standards set by the College in those areas and courses deemed appropriate. To take an exam, students must be currently enrolled at Richland and not enrolled in the course in which they are requesting to be tested. They should obtain the appropriate form and obtain permission from the division involved, pay the required fee, and successfully pass the examination. A proficiency examination for a given course may be taken only once. A fee of one-half the in-district or out-of-district tuition normally charged for the course must be paid before the exam. The fee is not refundable. The student must receive a score of 80% or better to earn credit by proficiency. Credit hours earned through proficiency examination are posted on the student’s permanent record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at the College. The credit is not included in the calculation of the grade point average and may not be used to establish enrollment status (i.e., full-time, part-time).

Credit Equivalency for Military Service and Training

A student who has been officially accepted as a Richland Community College student may apply for and receive college credit for courses taken while serving in the military if the courses meet the objectives of the student's declared academic program as required for graduation from Richland Community College. Consideration for the awarding of credit for military experience and training will be guided by the college credit recommendations developed by the American Council on Education. Approved credit will be posted to the student’s record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at the College. Contact the Registrar for further information.

Armed Forces Health and Physical Education

Any veteran who has completed a minimum of six (6) months’ active duty in the armed forces and presents evidence of an honorable or general “under honorable conditions” discharge from the service is eligible for a maximum of four (4) semester hours of physical education activity course credit. Approved credit will not be used to compute a grade point average. Approved credit will be posted to the student’s record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at the College. Veterans may apply for credit by submitting a copy of their DD-214 or military transcript to the Student Success Center in the Student Success Center.

Credit Equivalency by Licensure or Certification

If a student has already obtained a recognized license or certification for which the College offers a technical curriculum, that student may be granted credit for specific courses in the declared program of study. Approved credit will be posed to the student's record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at the College and after any additional program requirements have been fulfilled.

Credit Equivalency for Professional Training

Academic course credit for professional training events in some disciplines and technical fields may be granted if the event is offered by Richland Community College and/or one or more of the College’s training partners. A training partner is a professional organization or other authorized training provider recognized by the College. This partner ensures that the training meets predetermined standards. In some instances, training must be delivered by certified instructors as dictated by program/curricular requirements. The training must meet all objectives of the relevant course(s) in order to receive credit, as determined by faculty responsible for the content area. Approved credit will be posted to the student’s record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at Richland. A fee will be assessed.

Credit Equivalency for Professional Experience

Students with wide varieties of experience may develop a portfolio of these experiences and apply for course credit. A portfolio is a collection of documentation of learning, which may include samples of actual work, and is submitted for evaluation in consideration of course credit. The portfolio must meet all objectives of the course in order to receive credit, as determined by faculty responsible for the course. Approved credit will be posted to the student’s record after a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of 100-level or above credit has been earned at the College. A fee is associated with this option. A student interested in this credit should contact the Dean of the division responsible for the course.

State Seal of Biliteracy

The State Seal of Biliteracy Program recognizes public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. To receive credit at Richland, a student must provide a high school transcript with the seal and submit a request to the Registrar within three academic years of graduating from high school. Credit will be granted without a grade and may be used to fulfill graduation requirements.