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Academic Credit for Prior Learning

Academic Credit for Prior Learning Policy

Everett Community College recognizes that students come to college with knowledge they have gained outside a formal classroom. Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) is an avenue for EvCC to recognize that knowledge and award college credit students can use toward their degree or certificate. EvCC defines ACPL as “the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience; through military training and experience; and through formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions, including foreign institutions” (RCW 28B.77.230). All enrolled students are eligible for ACPL.

Types of ACPL

Extra Institutional Learning (Industry Certificate)

Students may be awarded credit knowledge and skills acquired outside a higher education institution and objectively verified through third-party certifications. EvCC offers credit for many industry certifications in areas such as Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Medical Coding, and Welding. A complete list of certificates for which EvCC offers credit is available at EverettCC.edu/ACPL. The published equivalencies are not an exhaustive list. If a student has a certificate or credential that does not appear on the website, they are encouraged to submit the certificate for faculty review.

Military Training

EvCC awards credit for some military training, military occupational specialties (MOS), and rates. Credit for military training is based on American Council on Education (ACE) guidance and must appear on the service member’s Joint Service Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript. 

Per VA regulations, students using VA education benefits must submit official military transcripts and all previous college transcripts for transfer credit evaluation. The VA will not pay for repeated credits.

 Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio

Students may arrive at EvCC with a great deal of college-level learning, but no educational documentation. The Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio gives students a chance to showcase their knowledge to earn college credit.  In this type of ACPL, the student creates a portfolio of prior experiences, exhibiting their mastery of specific course learning outcomes. More information regarding Prior Experiential Learning Portfolios can be found at EverettCC.edu/ACPL.

Credit by Testing 

EvCC offers credit for the Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Exam Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International (CI) Examinations. For AP, CI, and IB, the minimum scores required to earn credit follow the guidelines as established by the state board and listed on the following pages of this course catalog. 

Course Challenge Exam

Students may earn credit by demonstrating that they have met the learning objectives of an EvCC course by successfully completing a challenge exam. Course challenge exams may take any of a number of formats, including written exams, oral exams or interviews, practical skills demonstrations, as determined by an appropriate faculty member. 

Information on how to complete a Course Challenge Exam is available at EverettCC.edu/ACPL.

How to apply for ACPL

Please refer to the EvCC ACPL webpage  at at EverettCC.edu/ACPL for instructions on how to apply for ACPL credit. 

 

ACPL Fees

ACPL fees support ACPL application, assessment and transcription processes and vary depending on the type of ACPL requested. Neither the success of the application, nor the number of credits requested or awarded, has any bearing on EvCC’s ACPL fee structure. Current fees are located at EverettCC.edu/ACPL.

ACPL Limitations


The following are limitations for credit earned via ACPL:

  • No more than 50% of any professional or technical credential (certificate or degree) may be awarded through ACPL. 

  • With the exception of AP and IB test credit, students in university transfer degrees are limited to 15 credits of “B” list electives from ACPL. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

  • Challenge exam and prior experiential learning portfolio credit must be applicable to a student’s academic or professional program of study. 

  • If there are no equivalent courses listed in the course catalog, students may earn up to 15 elective credits for college level learning. Credit awarded in this manner must fit within the student’s program of study. 

  • Four-year institutions may or may not accept ACPL as transfer credit. Students are responsible for consulting their advisor or other resources to ensure they understand the ACPL transfer policies for specific four-year institutions.

  • Credit earned through ACPL at one Washington State Community College will be accepted toward the appropriate course or program at any other community and technical college in the Washington State system.