Policy: Credit for Validated Skills/Learning and Prior Learning Assessment

Document Number: 1.023
Title: Credit for Validated Skills/Learning and Prior Learning Assessment
Effective Date: 08/1/2025
Revised Date: N/A

Policy 

River Parishes Community College (RPCC) recognizes that learning occurs in a variety of settings and under many different circumstances – in the traditional college setting as well as in non-traditional settings – and believes all learning is valuable.  RPCC reviews evidence of an individual’s knowledge and skills to award credit for validated skills and learning, traditionally referred to as “prior learning”.  Academic integrity is assured by adherence to the policies of the Louisiana Community and Technical College (LCTCS), Board of Regents, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).  To be responsive, transparent, and consistent in the application of policies and standards, RPCC’s processes align with the standards of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). 

Policy Rationale and Scope 

The vision of RPCC, to be “the destination of choice for education” in the River Parishes region of Louisiana, and mission, “to provide workforce training, certificates, diplomas, and Associate degrees” are inclusive of traditional and non-traditional learning environments.  Awarding of credit for validated skills and learning through prior learning assessment reduces the cost and facilitates the completion of the program a student selects.  Students may have their Prior learning validated regardless of the program a student selects upon admission.  Credit for prior learning may be awarded for documented and validated evidence of student skills and learning equivalent to the learning outcomes for courses offered by the College. 

Residency / Number or Amount (percentage) of Credit 

For compliance with the SACSCOC standard on institutional credits for undergraduate degrees, RPCC will accept: 

• up to 75% of the credit hours required for the completion of an associate of applied science degree (subject to programmatic accreditation limitations). 
• up to 50% of the credit hours required for completion of an associate of arts/science degree, technical diploma, or certificate. 

Application 

• Credits awarded for prior learning for a course equivalent to a prerequisite course at RPCC satisfy the same prerequisite requirements as the course offered at RPCC. 
• Courses for which students are awarded credit for prior learning are not assigned a letter grade; a “P” for Pass is recorded on the student’s transcript.  No quality points are earned, and the grade is not used to compute the grade-point average. 
• Students may earn credit for prior learning only for courses applicable to the student’s active degree plan. 

Validation of Methods for Assessing Prior Learning 

Descriptions and student learning outcomes for existing RPCC courses are the basis of the assessment of prior learning:  the non-traditional learning of a student (i.e., learning taking place outside of a higher education setting) must be comparable to/match the learning of a student enrolled in a comparable course offered by RPCC.  RPCC follows the guidelines and methods recommended by the Council on Adult and Experiential and Learning (CAEL) and the American Council on Education (ACE): 

1. Transfer Credit from Another College/University 
2. Credit by Testing or Examination  
3. Credit by Evaluation of Training and Credentials 
4. Credit by Evaluation of a Portfolio or Demonstration of Skills and Learning (Life Experience Assessment Program [LEAP]):   
5. Military Credit 

1. Transfer Credit from Another College/University 

RPCC accepts degree-relevant prior learning credit awarded and transcripted by another postsecondary institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Credit is generally acceptable for transfer if it is earned from a college or university that is accredited by one of the accrediting agencies listed below and is comparable to coursework required in the student’s RPCC curriculum. 

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges 
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) 
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) 
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) 
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 

Courses for which transfer credit is awarded must be comparable in content, credit, and learning outcomes to their counterpart courses at RPCC. To be eligible for transfer, courses must show a grade of “C” or higher in any course for which transfer credit is requested. Courses with “P” grades will be awarded transfer credit only if the “P” grade is equivalent to a “C” or higher grade. 

2. Credit by Testing or Examination 

Credit is awarded for passing a national for-credit examination such as the College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as well as “challenge” exams prepared by RPCC faculty. 

The following tests may be used for advanced placement/credit: 

• College Level Examination (CLEP) Subject Exams:  
  • The awarding of credit by CLEP Examination is based on the scores earned on subject-specific exams. RPCC honors the American Council on Education’s Recommended Scores for Credit. Students must be enrolled at RPCC at the time they request credit by CLEP examination. Students must submit official test scores to the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day of class for the term to receive credit. 
• College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination:  
  • Students may be granted credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations, which are taken prior to the student’s high school graduation. Students must have a score of “3” or higher to receive course credit. Scores higher than a “3” may receive credit for additional courses (see the most up-to-date RPCC Placement Chart). The student must request that an original transcript from College Board be sent to the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day of class for the term for evaluation. 
• Departmental Proficiency Exams:  
  • Credit is also available to students who have mastered the content of a college course and can demonstrate such competency through successful completion of an examination developed by faculty teaching an RPCC course in the subject matter in one of the College’s departments overseeing educational programs, if such an exam is available. A student who desires to apply for a Departmental Proficiency Exam should contact the Registrar’s Office for further information. A fee of $15 per credit hour is assessed for this credit. The deadline for taking such an examination is the “Midterm Status” day as published in the Academic Calendar for the semester in which the student is seeking credit. 
• Next Generation Accuplacer  
• ACT 
• SAT
• StraighterLine 

3. Credit by evaluation of training and credentials 

RPCC may award credit for professional licensure(s) or an industry-based credential or certification aligned with the equivalent credentials that may be earned upon completion of one or more RPCC courses.  A student may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge and skills before credit is awarded for the equivalency.  If a proficiency exam is required, the student will be charged a fee for the evaluation. 

4. Credit by evaluation of a portfolio or demonstration of skills and learning: Life Experience Assessment Program (LEAP) 

RPCC may award credit for demonstration of course equivalency through preparation of an organized collection of evidence for knowledge and skills comparable to those attained by a student enrolled in a course at RPCC or demonstration of skills attained in professional work, self-study, or other in another setting (e.g., demonstration of safe set-up, use, and disassembly of welding equipment). 

The central principle in the Life Experience Assessment Program (LEAP) is that what a student knows is more important than how the student acquired the knowledge. In this program, RPCC (a) gives students the opportunity to report what they know, or can do, in terms that relate to college courses at RPCC and then (b) assesses their knowledge or competence in those areas. If the student can demonstrate knowledge and skills in certain areas comparable to what a college-trained student knows in these same areas, equal credit is awarded.  

The general guidelines described in this policy concerning credit awarded on the basis of validation of skills and learning attained outside of a higher learning setting are applicable. LEAP credit is available only if the life experience warrants three (3) or more credit hours. A non-refundable fee of $15 per credit hour is charged for the evaluation process, which includes review of a portfolio and/or documentation and demonstration of competencies. 

For each applicant, a review committee must be established to verify that the student can demonstrate knowledge and skills in the requested area comparable to the knowledge and skills of a college-trained student in the same area (i.e., comparable learning outcomes competency). 

The LEAP Review Committee consists of the Dean of the area from which credit is being requested, at least one faculty member with expertise in the relevant discipline, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs’ designee, and a representative of the Registrar’s office to ensure fairness and equity to the student. 

5. Military Credits 

Students who have earned credit through courses taken while in the armed services may apply for acceptance of these credits in the Registrar’s Office. Credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) are usually accepted. These hours count as part of the total hours of non-traditional credits applicable toward a degree or certificate. 

RPCC has developed the following guidelines for granting college credit based on military training: 

• Student must be currently enrolled at RPCC. 
• Semester hours of credit earned through these options are assigned a grade of “P”. No quality points are earned, and the grade is not used to compute the grade-point average. 
• Credit cannot be awarded for a course that a student has previously completed at any college/university. 
• Students who plan to use these credits to meet the degree requirements at other institutions should contact those institutions for their policies.