Learning occurs throughout a person's life and work experiences. To recognize college-level learning students achieve outside of formal higher education, DCC relies on the following policies and procedures to ensure that Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) practices are consistent with academic integrity and responsive to lifelong learners.

The term “credit for prior learning” (CPL) refers to all of the processes DCC uses to review, evaluate, and award academic credit based upon evidence of learning in accordance with academic and administrative standards. CPL is awarded for demonstrated proficiency in college-level learning. This entails systematically evaluating the knowledge, skills, and competencies students have obtained from their learning experiences outside of higher education.

To apply for and receive CPL, the student must have an active DCC certificate or be a degree-seeking student. Students seeking experiential learning credits must complete twelve (12) semester credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00 at Dawson Community College. Upon completing the credit requirement, students should work with their academic advisor to complete the Request for Evaluation of Prior Learning form. The appropriate DCC Program Director and/or instructor will recommend whether to grant experiential learning credit (and the number of credits as applicable) to the Dean of Academics. The Dean of Academics makes the final decision on whether the experiential learning credits are granted and, if so, how many credits are awarded.

Credit for prior experiential learning may constitute no more than 25% of the credits needed for a degree and/or certificate. Credits will only be granted to students enrolled in the semester during which the request form has been submitted. Approved credits will be posted on a student’s transcript as transfer credits with a grade of (TS) and denoted as credit for experiential learning.

Credit validation for prior learning outside of standardized testing can be obtained through the American Council on Education (ACE and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).

CPL Award

1. Various assessment methods measure the student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in learning outcomes associated with existing courses.
2. CPL will only be awarded for courses directly applicable to program requirements in the student’s declared certificate or degree, as specified in college publications, and are consistent with other institutional policies.
3. Students will still be required to meet the minimum graduation requirements for any certificate or degree. CPL credits earned are considered transfer credits. Students may earn up to 25% of their required program hours through any combination of CPL methods. Students can speak with a school advisor to discuss requirements for a specific program.

Financial Aid
Financial aid does not cover the costs of CPL; however, it may be affected by credit hours awarded through CPL methods. Credit hours awarded through CPL methods count toward the total earned hours that a student has acquired and the 150% rule. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor to determine how credits earned through CPL may affect them before requesting any CPL.

Application of CPL Award
Credits awarded through CPL will be applied to program requirements in the following ways:

1. CPL credits are applied to degree or program requirements in the same manner as other credits earned at DCC.
2. DCC awards credit for prior learning only for courses or programs for which there are active DCC catalog listings.
3. DCC will assign the appropriate DCC course title(s) and number(s) to the credit(s) awarded. A grade of TS (transfer credit) will be assigned for all assessment methods, will be utilized, and will not affect a student’s GPA. Traditional letter grades are not assigned for the CPL award.

Transferability
CPL is granted to satisfy DCC graduation requirements. These credits may not be accepted at other colleges and universities. Students are responsible for contacting the institution they intend to transfer to determine its policy on accepting CPL awarded at DCC.

DCC reserves the right to evaluate, apply, or deny CPL awarded at another institution. CPL, or PLA (prior learning assessment), awarded at another institution, is evaluated case-by-case. Students should contact the academic school from which they are seeking credit.

Standards for Assessing Prior Learning and Awarding Credit
DCC’s CPL Program adheres to the Ten Standards for Assessing Learning from the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Extensive research has led colleges and universities around the nation to recognize these standards as best practices for assessing adult learning.

1. Credit or competencies are awarded only for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent.
2. Assessment is integral to learning because it leads to and enables future learning.
3. Assessment is based on criteria for outcomes that are clearly articulated and shared among constituencies.
4. Credit awards and competence levels are determined by appropriate subject matter and credentialing experts.
5. Assessment advances the broader purpose of equity and access for diverse individuals and groups.
6. Institutions proactively provide guidance and support for learners’ full engagement in the assessment process.
7. Assessment policies and procedures result from inclusive deliberation and are shared with all constituencies.
8. Fees charged for assessment are based on the services performed in the process rather than the credit awarded.
9. All practitioners involved in the assessment process pursue and receive adequate training and continuing professional development for their functions.
10. Assessment programs are regularly monitored, evaluated, and revised to meet institutional and learner needs.

Standardized Exams
Earn college credit toward your degree or certificate for earning a passing score on a standardized exam. DCC awards transfer credit for the following standardized exams. As with any transfer credit, other institutions reserve the right to refuse to apply transfer credit toward graduation/program requirements. Students intending to transfer to another Higher Education institution are strongly encouraged to contact that institution to determine if transfer credit for standardized exams and exam scores will be accepted toward that institution’s graduation/program requirements. Standardized exams may not be used to replace a course previously taken.

• Advanced Placement (AP): Students may earn credit from passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Earned AP credit will be treated as transfer credit and show up as a grade of "TS" on the student's transcript when the student has completed a minimum of 12 DCC credits. A complete list of
  all equivalent courses for Advanced Placement is available from the Registrar’s Office. Students should have their AP scores sent directly to the Dawson Community College Registrar’s Office, 300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330.

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): DCC recognizes the vast differences in background and preparation of individuals who are preparing to enter college. DCC utilizes the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The purpose of this program is to allow students and prospective students to take examinations that measure knowledge in various subject matter areas. Evaluation of the results determines whether proficiency is equivalent to that which would be expected upon completion of a college-level course in that subject. Earned CLEP credit will be treated as transfer credit and show up as a grade of "TS" on the student's transcript when the student has completed a minimum of 12 DCC credits. Credits earned through CLEP apply toward graduation requirements. Students should consult with the Admissions Office for information concerning registration, cost, administration, and standards.

• DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests): Students may earn credit for successfully passing DSST Exams. Students who meet DCC CPL requirements and provide proof of a passing score will be granted course credit for those courses. A minimum score of 400 is required to receive credit. Credit will only be awarded for DSST exams taken since 2008. Passing DSST scores are accepted for up to 10 years. DSST exams taken before 2008 will not be accepted. To receive credit for a DSST exam that you have already taken, please visit the DSST website and select the appropriate transcript request form. Have your transcript sent directly to the Dawson Community College Registrar’s Office, 300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330.

• International Baccalaureate: Dawson Community College recognizes IB achievement and grants college credit for each Higher-Level exam passed, provided DCC has received satisfactory scores from the International Baccalaureate Program with an examination score of four or higher. A course
  will be posted as advance placement with a grade of ‘TS’ when the student has completed at least 12 DCC credits. A complete list of all equivalent courses for the International Baccalaureate is available from the Registrar’s Office. General Education and course equivalency credit maybe
  granted for a maximum of 15 credits. The Registrar will evaluate students' credits upon receipt of official scores. If you do not see a specific IB exam on our list and would like it evaluated for credit, please contact the Registrar at Registrar@dawson.edu or (406) 377-9404.

Military Service: Military Service credit can be earned based on learning obtained through courses completed and military occupations held during active duty. Credits are articulated through a Joint Service Transcript (JST).

CTE Course Waiver: A required program (CTE Career Technical Education) course may be waived if the student has previously completed equivalent work. The appropriate program director and the Dean of Academics must approve all waivers. General education core requirements cannot be waived. In no instance will college credit be given for a waiver. Forms are available in the Dean of Academics Office.

Credit for Industry Credentials or Licensure: Earn credit toward your degree or certificate with a current, verifiable industry certification or licensure. Academic credit is awarded to students with current licenses and certificates who are working toward a degree or certificate within the same field or a related field to which they currently obtain a license or certificate.

To submit your request for credit, simply present the completed Request for Evaluation of Prior Learning form and all requested documentation to the Dean of Academics.

Workforce or Professional Development: Documentation submitted by the student for accomplishments on the job, through volunteer work, training, workshops, and/or seminars based on time in service, job description, supervisor’s evaluation, relationship to the curriculum, and credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) may be reviewed and considered for credit. Experiential learning credit granted by another institution may not be accepted for transfer to DCC. In addition, experiential learning credits granted by DCC may or may not transfer to other institutions.

Test Scores