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Prior Learning Credit
York County Community College recognizes several pathways for the assessment of prior learning, which includes learning that was not obtained in the traditional classroom setting such as work and volunteer experience, military training, workshops, professional certifications, etc. We encourage our students to explore all of the options available to them. Students seeking credit for prior learning must be formally admitted (matriculated) into a degree program and also must meet the minimum program residency requirement in order to be awarded a degree at YCCC.
Requests for prior learning credit should be made during the admissions process or shortly thereafter, for consideration in degree planning. The final decision regarding acceptance of all prior learning credits rests with YCCC.
Credit Limitations
Students may earn up to 75% of the total credits required for graduation through a combination of all forms of prior learning (transfer and articulated credits, portfolio, CLEP credit, AP credit, ACE credit, etc.) Credits earned for learning that occurred prior to admittance will not count toward the academic residency requirement. All students must complete at least 25% of their program credit hours directly through YCCC. Although credits earned through prior learning will count toward degree requirements, any grades and/or credits received will not be included in computing the grade point average (GPA).
Credit for Prior Courses
YCCC accepts credits awarded for courses taken at other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions, provided the grade is a “C” or better (a “C-“ will not transfer). Simply request an official transcript from the originating college/university to be sent directly to:
Office of Admissions
York County Community College
112 College Drive
Wells, ME 04090
Phone:/Fax: (207) 216-4409
Email: admissions@yccc.edu
Once received, you may be asked to obtain a copy of the college catalog or official course description in order to assist in the credit determination. Courses transferred from other institutions will not be used in computing the student’s YCCC grade point average (GPA).
Credit for Certifications
YCCC recognizes several certifications based on state or national standards. After acceptance into a certificate or degree program, you may request prior learning credit by providing a copy of your valid certificate to your Faculty Advisor or by calling/texting (207) 216- 4401 or emailing records@yccc.edu
Below are examples of the types of certifications we will consider recognizing for credit:
- Adobe Certified Expert for Illustrator
- Adobe Certified Expert for Photoshop
- Autodesk Certified User Credential
- Child Development Associate
- Certified Early Childhood Assistant
- Certified SolidWorks Associate
- CISCO Certifications: CCENT Certification; CCNA Certification; Networking Discovery Program-Modules I and II
- CompTIA Certifications: Net+ Certification; A+ Certification; Security+ Certification
- EMT Basic – Emergency Medical Technician
- Firefighter I and II Certification
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification
- Maine Criminal Justice Academy: Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP); Law Enforcement Pre-Service Training; Basic Corrections Training Program
- Maine Roads to Quality: Infant Toddler Credential
- MHRT-I: Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician-I
- ServSafe – Food Handler Certification
Credit by Exam
The college awards credit for examinations based on current American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. An official transcript from the testing organization must be sent to the college. The following list includes the exams and scoring information:
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP exams are taken after completing a year-long AP course at a participating high school. For credit consideration, a minimum score of 3 is required. For information about AP programs, ask your guidance counselor or visit the College Board’s AP webpage.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP exams are administered by the College Board. They currently offer 33 subject exams at testing locations throughout the country, including several in our area. Visit the College Board online for more information. Scores of 50 or better are accepted for credit at YCCC.
DSST Exams
The nationally recognized DSST Program helps you receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of more than 30 exams in a variety of college subject areas. YCCC follows the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service’s (ACE CREDIT) guidelines for awarding credit. Locate a testing center in your area at GetCollegeCredit’s website.
Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS)
Brigham Young University (BYU) offers a testing service to measure proficiency in many foreign languages. These exams are designed to evaluate a student’s ability in conjunction with the first three semesters of a language track, providing students the opportunity to earn up to 12 credits. Exams are graded pass/fail. Learn how to arrange an online exams at BYU’s FLATS webpage.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB is a non-profit educational foundation that works with schools and educators around the world. They offer higher level exams to secondary students that are similar to AP exams. We require a minimum score of 5 to be considered for credit at YCCC. No credit will be awarded for standard level exams. Visit the International Baccalaureate website for more information.
Credit by Portfolio
YCCC offers prior learning assessment through portfolio evaluation to award potential academic credit for learning acquired outside of the typical college setting. Students may receive credit for verifiable learning, but not for experience alone. Students must show evidence that demonstrates how their learning is equivalent to college-level learning, meeting the learning objectives of an approved YCCC course as prescribed in the official course outline. Based on content and presentation criteria being met at a “C” level or better, the credit is transcripted as “Pass”. Students can request credit through portfolio evaluation. Students must be in a degree program and have completed at least 6 credits, including ENG101 College Composition. Students can initiate this process through their Faculty Advisor or a member of YCCC Enrollment Team.
Credit by Articulation Agreement
YCCC has partnered with several area secondary schools to offer credit for competencies that are gained in these settings. Most agreements are reviewed and updated every two years, and sometimes sooner due to program changes. Credit awards will be based on the agreement that corresponds with your year of completion for the participating program.
Credit for Other Training/Programs
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
YCCC recognizes proficiency for various trades and technical occupations where a student has completed a formal registered apprenticeship program and desires to earn an AAS in Trade & Technical Occupations. Students seeking prior learning credits for an apprenticeship program must provide documentation to verify successful completion, i.e. certificate or completion letter.
YCCC is a College Member of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC).
Workplace Training
Students who have completed any training program that has been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) can submit course completion certificates or exam scores and receive college credit based on the recommendations published in ACE CREDIT’s National Guide. Students must be matriculated into a degree program to request credit. When credits are awarded, they will appear on the YCCC transcript as prior learning credit and not be used to calculate the student’s grade point average (GPA).
Military Training
If you have served in the military, you may be eligible to receive credit for your experience and training. The American Council on Education (ACE) military evaluations program is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) and coordinated through DANTES. You can search for courses offered by all branches of the military in the ACE Military Guide. ACE recommendations for credits typically fulfill your open elective credits at YCCC.
YCCC Community Education & Career Training Programs
YCCC’s Department of Workforce Training and Professional Developmental offers training that may translate to college credit for students seeking to continue their education by earning a credit certificate or associate’s degree. For a list of current articulation agreements, visit our Credit for Experience & Prior Learning page.