Academic Credit for Prior Learning

YCCC recognizes several procedures for the assessment of prior learning. Students are encouraged to explore all of the options available to them. It is possible to earn credit by transferring courses from other regionally accredited institutions of higher education, standardized examinations (e.g. CLEP, DANTES), YCCC course challenge examinations, or by submitting a portfolio to document college-level learning gained through paid or unpaid employment, self-directed study, or through vocational talents and skills.

Students who seek credit for prior learning must be formally admitted (matriculated) into a YCCC program. In addition, students must meet the minimum program residency requirement of 35% (unless SOC approved) in order to be awarded a degree of the College. Students should also realize that college credit earned through these options may count toward Degree/Certificate requirements, but that the credit and grades will not be included in computing the grade point average. The final decision regarding the acceptance of all prior learning credit(s) rests with York County Community College.

Transfer Credit

It is the student’s responsibility to request official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions. Transcripts from other institutions submitted to YCCC will become the property of the college and will not be reproduced and/or mailed to other institutions. A student’s grade-point-average at YCCC will not reflect grades in courses transferred for other institutions.

Note: Students requesting Veteran’s Educational Assistance are required to have all previous postsecondary educational experience evaluated for possible transfer credit in order to be eligible for benefits. Students transferring courses within YCCC may transfer any course applicable to the new program of study along with grades earned. Undergraduate coursework completed at other institutions of higher education will be evaluated for transfer credit on the basis of the following:

• York County Community College accepts credits for transfer from regionally accredited colleges and universities.

• Transfer courses will be accepted with a grade of “C” (not “C-”) or better.

• Acceptance of transfer credits must receive the written approval of either (1) the Department Chair for course work in their academic or technical area (2) the Registrar or (3) the Vice President/Academic Dean.

• It is the responsibility of the student to provide York County Community College with the information requested to evaluate transcripts under consideration for transfer. This information includes an official copy of each originating college transcript mailed directly from the college to YCCC. Upon request, it may be necessary for the student to obtain a copy of the college catalog or official course description from the institution of course origination.

• International credit may be evaluated through a YCCC approved professional credential evaluation service at the student’s expense.

• Any student submitting transcripts in a language other than English must provide a copy translated into English by a certified translator.

• There is no statute of limitations on the validity of coursework for transfer credit as long as it can be reasonably determined that the content of the course has not become obsolete; all collegiate courses taken more than ten years in the past are subject to review. In some cases, course content may be outdated and, therefore, not acceptable for transfer or other credit, this determination will be made by the Department Chair or program advisor for the specific course.

Military Service Experience

York County Community College awards some credit based on the American Council on Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Interested students must provide evidence of prior education and training, preferably in the form of a transcript issued by the Community College of the Air Force, the Navy and Marines (SMARTS), or the Army (AARTS).

ACE (American Council on Education) Credit Evaluation

Matriculated students who have participated in programs and courses offered by non-collegiate organizations may qualify for academic credit per the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service Guide. Students may also qualify for academic credit for examinations per the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service.

Portfolio Credit

Provides a process for evaluating and when appropriate, awarding academic credit for learning acquired outside of the traditional college environment. In order to receive Portfolio Credit, students must provide evidence that their prior learning is equivalent to college-level learning. Students may earn a maximum of 65% of their program credits for written documentation of college-level learning acquired through work, educational, or personal/social experiences not attainable through other previously mentioned Prior Learning options at YCCC. A review committee will evaluate the student’s prepared portfolio on a course-by-course basis to determine comparability of competencies to required or elective course learning outcomes. Students matriculated into the Associate in Applied Science degree in Technical and Trade Studies may be awarded a block of up to 24 credits. 

Based on content and presentation criteria being met at a C level, the credit awarded is transcripted as ‘Pass’. Any student seeking to submit a portfolio must contact the Portfolio Advisor to file their intent to seek portfolio credit. Students will need to periodically consult with this advisor during portfolio development. Upon completion, portfolios must be submitted to the advisor to begin the process of portfolio review. Portfolios must be submitted for review within one year after intent is filed with the advisor.

The following conditions apply:

• Students requesting portfolio credit must be matriculated into a degree program and have earned 6 YCCC credits, 3 of which must include ENG101 College Composition or the equivalency, prior to submission of Portfolio.

• Credits earned through portfolio assessment do not count towards the 35% residency requirement.

• Two copies of each portfolio must be submitted. The College will return one copy of the portfolio and keep the second on file.

• Each student may present only one Portfolio for review.

• Each portfolio will be reviewed only once and credit determination is final.

• Portfolios received by October 30th will be evaluated before the start of the January semester and those received by March 30th will be evaluated before the start of the September semester.

Note: Portfolio credits, in general, are not transferable to most colleges.

CLEP Examination (College Level Examination Program)

Credits may be given to a student who receives a satisfactory score, as defined below, on a CLEP examination. The student must make their own arrangements to take the exam(s) and have the scores sent directly to YCCC’s Student Affairs Office. These standardized exams are conducted several times throughout the year at university locations in Maine and across the country. In general, YCCC attempts to follow ACE recommendations for credit evaluation. Consult the YCCC website for a matrix of approved tests, scores and course equivalencies.

Challenge Examinations

Students at YCCC who believe they have mastered the content of a course may petition to satisfy course requirements for which there is a YCCC Challenge Exam. Only the listed YCCC courses may be challenged and when appropriate CLEP exams should be utilized. Challenge Exams will not be computed into the students’ Grade Point Average.

The following conditions apply:

• Credit will only be awarded for grades of 80/B- or better. The letter grade will be designated on the transcript with a credit type notation of “CE”.

• A student may not retake a Challenge Exam.

• A student may not use a Challenge Exam to repeat a course previously taken for credit.

• A student must have met any prerequisites to the course petitioned to be challenged.

• A $25.00 per credit hour, non-refundable fee must be paid in advance.

• Challenge Exam credits will not count towards the 35% residency requirement.

• Challenge Exams must be taken and results will be given before the end of the add period.

• Challenge Exams are restricted to courses 100 and 200 level only.

Note: Challenged courses, in general, are not transferable to most colleges.

DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support)

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) are a nationally recognized testing program made available by The Chauncey Group International, in trust for the United States Department of Defense. Designed originally for the military, DSSTs are now available to civilian students as well. The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests are a series of tests in a wide range of introductory college level academic, vocational/technical and business subjects. To initiate consideration for this option, students should arrange for scores earned through DANTES to be sent to YCCC’s Student Affairs Office.  

Advanced Placement (AP)

York County Community College participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. AP exams are given in secondary schools. For credit consideration an official AP transcript and a minimum score of 3 are required. Official AP transcripts should be sent directly to YCCC’s Student Affairs Office.

   
Professional Certification Examinations

Credits may be awarded to a student who receives a satisfactory score, per YCCC guidelines, on an approved Professional Certification Examination. The student must make their own arrangements to take the exam(s) and have an official copy of the scores and/or certification sent directly to YCCC’s Student Affairs Office. Consult the YCCC website for a matrix of approved tests, scores and course equivalencies.

Articulation Agreements with High Schools

YCCC has established articulation agreements with some Maine high schools and vocational/technical centers for the purpose of awarding academic credit for prior learning which is equivalent to selected YCCC course work.