We recognize that you may have gained college-level knowledge outside of the traditional classroom. Please read these Standards for Assessing Prior Learning, then examine these types of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Contact an advisor to find out more about CPL.
Have you taken any of these standardized tests? Here are the credits you can receive for external standardized tests at ACC.
Send Admissions and Enrollment your test scores for potential college credit!
Credit by Examination: Course Challenge Exams.
If you feel your background, education, and experience provide sufficient knowledge in a subject area, you can earn course credits through course challenge exams.
To be eligible to request a Course Challenge Exam, you must have at least one course credit at ACC. Earning credit through challenge examinations is equivalent to passing a cumulative, end-of-the-term examination.
Departments which offer Course Challenge Exams (frequently updated).
Credit for equivalent non credit courses
Students who have completed Continuing Education courses at ACC may qualify for this coursework to be converted to credit in workforce or academic programs. To be eligible for credit conversion, you must meet the following conditions:
Austin Community College (ACC) offers an equivalent course that is recognized as a credit course by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
ACC offers credit and noncredit courses in the same discipline.
You successfully completed all modules for the noncredit courses in which credit would be awarded.
The instructional program faculty approves the credit conversion.
See this table of CE-Credit articulations at ACC
Earn up to 30 credits for military training and service in combination with other non-institutional coursework.
To receive credit, you must provide the Office of Admissions and Enrollment with an official military transcript, a certified copy of your DD Form 214, and complete one class at Austin Community College (ACC). Any credit awarded will not be calculated in your GPA.
ACC uses the American Council on Education (ACE) reference guide “Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services” to award credit for military training. If a course equivalency is not listed by ACE, you may contact ACE directly to request a review (visit ACE for contact information.) ACC’s instructional programs and areas have final authority on awarding credit.
Note: ACE recommendations apply to military training/courses only.
Health & Kinesiology Credit: If you were active duty for the last six months, you may qualify for 4 Health and Kinesiology credits.
Qualify for credit if you hold certificates that are recognized by your department.
These industry certification credits (called “crosswalks”) are listed in the Credit Predictor Pro Program by specific departments. Do you have a certificate for a technical skill from a previous job?
You may be able to apply for credit. See this list of industry certifications and contact your Department for more information.
Faculty see Prior Learning Assessment for Industry Certifications in FAQ below.
One way is to challenge a course through a Course Challenge Exam. Check the specific course in the Course Schedule or Course Catalog that you wish to challenge. If you feel you can demonstrate mastery of the objectives of the course through your experience, then contact the Department that offers the course you are interested in challenging. You must be approved by the department to take the exam.
If you took an AP test in high school and made a high enough score, you may qualify for college credit. Check this link for external standardized exam credit
If you have Industry Certifications like MOS Specialist Certificate Excel Or C++ Certified Entry Programmer , check with the department for information about crosswalks (credit equivalencies). Here is a List of State Approved Crosswalks for Industry Certifications.
To receive credit for any of the CPL opportunities, a student must complete a minimum of 3 hours of ACC course work , OR is currently enrolled after the census date of the requesting semester.
CPL credit is recorded as a CR on your transcript. You must score a “B” or better to be awarded credit but the grade is not calculated into your GPA.
A maximum of 75% of credit for any award can be can come from prior learning credits. This means a maximum of 45 hours for an Associates degree plan. This includes credit transferred from other colleges and universities, but does not include credit from completion of CE courses.
These hours will not be counted toward residency credit, with the exception of ACC Continuing Education Mirror courses.
CPL credit appears as a course on your transcript though it does not calculate into your GPA. Generally, other Universities recognize CPL credit if it is on your transcript. Check with the transfer University if you have questions.
There is a $10 per credit hour charge for other forms of Credit for Prior Learning so a 3 hour challenge exam costs $30 at ACC.
CLEP exams cost $93 plus $35 administration fee at ACC for a total of $128. There is no charge for the transcription of AP, CLEP, IBD, DSST or Military PLA credit.
Your first step is to meet with your advisor. They can walk you through the process of applying for CPL. Here is a link to the Course Challenge form from Admissions and Records.
If CPL by a Course Challenge Exam is indicated, then follow this process:
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