Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 College Catalog 
    
2020-2021 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Credit for Prior Learning


Introduction to CPL - Credit for Prior Learning

Academic Divisions

Credit for Standardized Examinations

 

Credit for Certification and Learning

Credit by Challenge Examination

Workforce Development Training Programs

 

 


 

Introduction to CPL - Credit for Prior Learning

Thomas Nelson Community College commitment to lifelong learning provides students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the academic integrity of academic programs. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) policies are consistent with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) principles and with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy.

This manual describes the mechanisms for obtaining credit for prior learning at Thomas Nelson. The term “credit for prior learning” generally refers to the process of granting of college credit for learning gained in nontraditional ways. Credit for Prior Learning is the process of awarding a student credit for competency in subject matter that has been achieved through previous academic study, experiential learning or occupational experience.

This may include, but is not limited to, credit for external advanced placement such as the Advanced Placement Program (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB), credit for non-traditional professional certifications, and credit for educational/training programs (military, industry, state and federal government). This manual also provides procedures for granting various kinds of credit earned at other colleges and universities in this country and abroad.

Thomas Nelson Academic Divisions

Arts, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences Division (ABHS)

Location:  Templin Hall – Rm 851   Phone:  757.825.2799   Email:  abhs@tncc.edu                                 

Program Abbreviations: ACC, ART, BUS, CST, DAN, EDU 200, ENF, ENG, ESL, FIN, FRE, GEO, HIS, HUM, MKT, MUS, PHI, PLS, PSY, REL, SOC, SPA

Public Safety, Allied Health and Human Services Division (PSAHHS)

Location:  Hampton III – Suite 747   Phone:  757.825.2808   Email: psahhs@tncc.edu

Program Abbreviations: ADJ, AST, CHD, DNA, DNH, ECO, EDU, EMS, FST, HCT, HLT, HMS, LGL, MDA, NSG/NUR, PED, PBS, PNE, PNG

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Division (STEM)

Location:  Hastings Hall – Rm 321      Phone:  757.825.2898    Email:  stemoffice@tncc.edu

Program Abbreviations: AIR, AUT, BIO, BLD, CAD, CHM, CSC, DRF, EGR, ELE, ENE, ETR, GIS, GOL, IND, INS, ITD, ITE, ITN, ITP, MAC, MAR, MCR, MEC, MTE, MTH, MTT, NAS, PHY, SAF, UMS, WEL

Credit for Standardized Examinations 

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP)  exams are administered by the College Board to high school students enrolled in “AP” designated courses throughout the United States. Each exam has a course guide that provides an overview of the course including learning objectives and concept outlines. Exam scores range from 1-5 with five being the highest. For a complete description Advanced Placement exams, visit the website at: https://aphighered.collegeboard.org.

Thomas Nelson Community College awards advanced standing credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams in accordance with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy, which sets the minimum acceptable exam score at three (3) on AP exams. Credit may be awarded differently for scores that exceed the minimum. Faculty within the subject area review the learning objectives for Advanced Placement exams and determine equivalent courses offered at the College. Credits are awarded as follows:   

Students seeking credit for Advanced Placement (AP) Exams should complete the following steps:

  1. Complete and submit the Request for Transfer Evaluation form to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). The form can be obtained at these offices or on the College website.
  2. Review the options for requesting official score reports on the College Board website: apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/score-reporting.
  3. Request that official score reports be mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Hampton Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666.
    Historic Triangle Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Services Office, Room 117, 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA  23188.
  4. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.
     

Cambridge International (A/AS Level) Program

Cambridge International exams, commonly known as A levels or AS levels, are administered by the University of Cambridge and completed by students in the United Kingdom and international education programs in 160 countries. Each exam has a syllabus that provides an overview of the course including learning objectives and content outlines. Exam scores range from A-E with A being the highest. For a complete description of Cambridge International exams, visit the website at: cambridgeinternational.org.

Thomas Nelson Community College awards advanced standing credit for Cambridge International exams in accordance with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy, which sets C as the minimum acceptable exam score. Credit may be awarded differently for the AS level as compared to the A level exam. Faculty within the subject area review the learning objectives for Cambridge International exams and determine equivalent courses offered at the College. Credits are awarded as follows:   

Students seeking credit for Cambridge International Exams should complete the following steps:

  1. Complete an submit the Request for Transfer Evaluation form to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). The form can be obtained at these offices or on the College website.
  2. Download, complete and submit the Priority Results information form available on the Cambridge International Exams website:cie.org.uk.
  3. Request that official score reports be mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Hampton Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA  23666.
    • Historic Triangle Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Services Office, Room 117, 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
  4. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.

College Level Exam Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is administered by the College Board and offers subject level examinations to allow students document their existing knowledge for 100 and 200 level collegiate courses. A fact sheet is published for each exam that provides a description of the exam content, required knowledge and skills, and study materials. For a complete description of CLEP exams, visit the website: clep.collegeboard.org/exams/offered.

Thomas Nelson Community College awards advanced standing credit for CLEP exams in accordance with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy, which sets 50 as the minimum acceptable exam score. Credit may be awarded differently for scores that exceed the minimum. Faculty within the subject area review the learning objectives for CLEP exams and determine equivalent courses offered at the College. Credits are awarded as follows:  

Students seeking credit for College Level Exam Program (CLEP) should complete the following steps:

  1. Complete and submit the Request for Transfer Evaluation form to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). The form can be obtained at these offices or on the College website.
  2. Review the options for requesting official score reports on the College Board website: clep.collegeboard.org/about/score.
  3. Request that official score reports be mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Hampton Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666.
    • Historic Triangle Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Services Office, Room 1u77, 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
  4. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.

DSST (also known as DANTES) Program

DSST, also known as DANTES, offers subject level examinations. DANTES is the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support, which promotes educational opportunities for service members and veterans. A fact sheet is published for each exam that provides a description of the exam content, sample questions, references, and scoring information. DSST exams use scaled scores and each test has a different scale. For a complete description of DSST exams, visit the website: http://getcollegecredit.com/testprep/#courses.

Thomas Nelson Community College awards advanced standing credit for DSST exams in accordance with the minimum recommended scores provided by the American Council on Education (ACE) for courses that have equivalencies at the College. Faculty within the subject area review the learning objectives for DSST exams and determine equivalent courses offered at the College. Credits are awarded as follows:  

Students seeking credit for DSST exams should complete the following steps:

  1. Complete and submit the Request to Transfer Evaluation form to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus) The form can be obtained at the offices or on the College website.
  2. Review the options for requesting official score reports on the website: getcollegecredit.com/testprep/#courses.
  3. Request that official score reports be mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Hampton Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666.
    • Historic Triangle Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Services Office, Room 117, 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
  4. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

International Baccalaureate (IB) exams are completed by high school students enrolled in “IB” courses in schools approved to offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The coursework is typically completed during the junior and senior years of high school. The courses occur at two levels, “SL” and “HL” which refer to “standard level” and “higher level” respectively. The standard level “SL” may only require one complete year of coursework; the higher level “HL” course is of more depth and complexity and typically requires two complete years of coursework. Each IB course has a subject outline and detailed course guide. Exam scores range from 1-7 with seven being the highest. For a complete description of International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, visit the website at: ibo.org/general/who.cfm.

Thomas Nelson Community College awards advanced standing credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams in accordance with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy, which sets the minimum acceptable exam score at five (5) for these exams. Credit may be awarded differently for scores that exceed the minimum. Faculty within the subject area review the learning objectives for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams and determine equivalent courses offered at the College. Credits are awarded as follows :  

Students seeking credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams should complete the following steps:

  1. Complete and submit the Request for Transfer Evaluation form to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). The form can be obtained at the offices or on the College website.
  2. Review the options for requesting official score reports on the International Baccalaureate (IB) website: ibo.org/informationfor/alumni/transcripts/.
  3. Request that official score reports be mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Hampton Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666.
    • Historic Triangle Campus: Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Services Office, Room 117, 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
  4. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.

Credit for Certification & Licensure

Credit may be awarded when a student holds an industry certification or professional license that is deemed equivalent to a course or series of courses within a program offered at Thomas Nelson Community College. Students must be enrolled in a program at the College for which the course is required and, in most cases, have earned at least six (6) credits in the program before applying to receive advanced standing credit for certification or licensure.

Students seeking credit for Certification or Licensure should complete the following steps:

  1. Review the certification and licensure list for the appropriate academic division to determine if the certification or license held is applicable to their program of study.
  2. Complete the Request for Transfer Evaluation form. Submit the form and required documentation to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). The form can be obtained at these offices or on the College website.
  3. Enrollment Services will confirm the student is enrolled in a program at the College for which the courses are required, attach a degree progress report, and forward along with a Transcript Evaluation Form to the academic division dean or designee for review and approval.

Programs with Credit for Certification and Licensure   

Visual Arts and Portfolio Review  (scroll to the end of document for information)

Credit by Challenge Examination

Challenge examinations are available for selected courses offered at Thomas Nelson Community College. A challenge examination provides the student with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course learning objectives based on previous learning experiences. Students must be enrolled in a curriculum at the College for which the course is required and, in most cases, have earned at least six (6) credits in the program before applying to receive advanced standing credit. A passing score on the examination will result in credit being awarded for the selected course.

Visual arts challenge exams are completed in the form of a portfolio review. A satisfactory review of the portfolio will result in credit being awarded for the selected course(s).

NOTE: Students may not complete a challenge examination for a course in which they have previously enrolled or audited within the Virginia Community College System.

Students seeking credit by Challenge Examinations should complete the following steps:

  1. Review the challenge examinations offered to determine if an examination is available for their program of study.
  2. Secure and complete the Challenge Examination Form. The form can be obtained from the appropriate academic division office or on the College website.
  3. Submit the Challenge Examination Form to the appropriate academic division office. A separate form is required for each challenge examination. The division dean or designee will confirm enrollment in the curriculum for which the course is required, confirm the student has not previously enrolled in or audited the course, and notify the designated faculty member of a request or challenge examination or visual arts portfolio review.
  4. The designated faculty member will contact the student to make an appointment for the challenge examination or visual arts portfolio review.
  5. Upon completion of the challenge examination or visual arts portfolio review, the designated faculty member will record the results an submit the results to Enrollment Services, Griffin Hall, Room 208 (Hampton campus) or Student Services, Room 117 (Historic Triangle campus). Credit for appropriate course(s) is documented on the academic transcript.
  6. The student will be notified by a representative from Enrollment Services (Hampton campus) or Student Services (Historic Triangle campus) when the process is complete.

Workforce Development Training Programs

   Non-Credit to Credit Crosswalk  

   CPL Pathway