Prior Learning Options

Academic Credit for Prior Learning

YCCC recognizes several procedures for the assessment of learning acquired outside a sponsored collegiate setting. Students are encouraged to explore all of the credit options available to them. It is possible to earn credit based on standardized examinations (e.g. CLEP), 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 interested in submitting a portfolio must take APL 200, a one-credit course in which students receive instruction in portfolio development. For further details regarding the prior learning options, students should contact their Academic Advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs.

Students who seek credit for prior learning must be formally admitted (matriculated) into a YCCC program in order to earn credit through these procedures. In addition, students who are admitted to YCCC programs must earn a minimum of 60% of their program course requirements from YCCC in order to be awarded a degree of the College. Students should also realize that college credit earned through most of these options will count toward Degree/Certificate requirements, but that the credit will not be included in computing the grade point average. Students should also know that upon admission (matriculation), 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 In some cases, course content may be outdated, and therefore, not acceptable for transfer or other credit.

Course Waivers

Students who already have mastered the skills and competencies outlined for a particular course in their program may request a course waiver from the appropriate department chair. The department chair conducts an assessment of the student's skills to decide if a course waiver is appropriate. The student takes another course in place of the waived course to enhance his/her academic program. Students do not receive credit for courses that are waived.

Transfer Credit

Matriculated students may transfer credits from other regionally accredited colleges into a YCCC catalog program provided they earned a grade of "C" (not C-) or better, and that the credits are relevant to the YCCC degree program. To request that transcripts be evaluated for transfer credits, students must submit a written request to the YCCC Registrar's Office to initiate the process. It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions. Students must submit course descriptions if requested.

Applicable credit courses taken at YCCC will be transferred into a new program of study, as will grades for all courses previously taken.

Note: Students requesting Veteran’s Educational Assistance are required to have all previous post-secondary educational experience evaluated for possible transfer credit in order to be eligible for benefits.

CLEP Examination (College Level Examination Program)

Students can earn credits toward a degree by passing with an appropriate score CLEP exams in a variety of subject areas such as English, Math, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, Business Law, etc. The student must make their own arrangements to take the exam(s) and have the scores sent directly to YCCC. Students need to score a minimum of 500 to receive YCCC college credit for a CLEP general exam. These standardized exams are conducted several times throughout the year at University locations in Maine and across the country. More information can be obtained at the College Board Website

Challenge Examinations

YCCC provides students with the opportunity to challenge some courses for which they believe they are qualified. Credit by Challenge Examination will not be offered for those courses in which a CLEP examination exists. Course Challenge Examinations are prepared and administered by the appropriate College faculty.

To sit for a challenge exam, students must be registered for the course. The fee to receive credit for challenge exams is set at $25/credit. 

DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support)

The DANTES College Credit Examination Program is a testing service conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for DANTES, an agency for the Department of Defense. Originally designed for military personnel, the DANTES Credit by Examination program is now available to all American colleges and universities, giving them the opportunity to offer college credit to qualified students. 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 YCCC’s Registrar’s Office.