Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL)

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Updated on: Monday, August 19, 2024

Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL), formerly known as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), is the knowledge and skill gained through military training and experience, and formal and informal education and training at in-and out-of-state institutions.

Currently enrolled students may earn college credit when they demonstrate by examination or evaluation that their professional experience or substantial prior learning meets the specific outcomes of a WVC course. Not all courses at WVC are designated appropriate for credit by examination or evaluation and each department determines the evaluation method required for students to demonstrate mastery of the course content. Academic credit for prior learning can be awarded through one of the following options:

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Course Challenge
  • DANTES Subject Test (DSST)
  • Industry Certification or Licensures
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • Military Education and Experience

The following restrictions apply to awarding ACPL credits:

  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration.
  • There is no assurance that any ACPL credit will be granted.
  • ACPL credits cannot duplicate credits that have already been awarded.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • ACPL credits do not count towards the minimum residency requirement of 33% of degree or certificate credits must be taken at WVC.
  • ACPL courses receive a “P” grade and will not affect the GPA with the exception of course challenges which receive a letter grade of “C” (2.0) or better and does affect GPA. ACPL courses also will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • A non-refundable fee application fee of $50 plus $10 per credit attempted must be prepaid for course challenges and (non-cross walked) Industry Certification or Licensure assessment.
  • View the ACPL application form and the WVC course challenge list at wvc.edu/PLA.

For further information about the process or fees for prior learning credits, contact the ACPL coordinator, 509-682- 6600.

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Program (AP), allows high school students to earn college credit for high school work. Students usually take a high school honors course to prepare for the national AP exams each May. Advanced placement exams are offered in a number of academic disciplines. Credit for these exams is granted under the following conditions:

  • WVC is not a testing site for AP and official scores must be submitted for evaluation.
  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration.
  • Credits awarded are based on the type of test taken and the score received.
  • View WVC AP Exam Scores at wvc.edu/AP for a complete breakdown on how credit is awarded.
  • A maximum of 10 AP credits can be earned in a distribution area (maximum of 5 credits in world languages). No more than 5 AP credits can be used to meet the writing skills requirement for a degree. AP credit will not fulfill the writing requirement for advanced English composition.
  • For an AP test that does not appear on the AP Exam Score chart, WVC will grant a maximum of 5 credits within subject area for a score of 3 or higher.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • AP credit receives a “P” grade, will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • There is no fee for this evaluation.

For more information, visit wvc.edu/AP.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students may earn credit by demonstrating competency in a broad subject area or a specific course through the College Board for College-Level Subject Exams (CLEP). Credit is awarded according to the following guidelines:

  • WVC is not a testing site for CLEP and official scores must be submitted for evaluation.
  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration.
  • Students must achieve a score in the 50th percentile or higher to receive a “P” credit.
  • A maximum award of 10 CLEP credits can be earned in a distribution area (maximum of 5 credits in world languages). No more than 5 CLEP credits can be used to meet the writing skills requirement for a degree. CLEP credit will not fulfill the writing requirement for advanced English composition.
  • CLEP credit is not allowed if credit has been received for a more advanced class.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • CLEP credit receives a “P” grade, will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements. There is no fee for this evaluation.

For more information, visit wvc.edu/CLEP.

Course Challenge

Challenge credit is earned by demonstrating achievement of course outcomes. The appropriate department determines the method of demonstrating proficiency, usually an instructor-designed comprehensive exam. A list of courses that may be challenged is available in the admissions/registration office or download the WVC course challenge list. The following guidelines apply:

  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA before credits may be awarded and only if the learning experience falls within the regular curriculum of the college.
  • Students are not allowed to take a course they have previously enrolled in or audited at WVC. If they have already taken and failed an examination for credit, they may not repeat the examination. Challenge exams may not be repeated for additional credit.
  • Not all courses are available for challenge and not all departments offer challenge exams.
  • Credit is allowed only if the student has received a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher. Successful course challenge receives a letter grade and it will affect GPA.
  • Individual departments or programs may require that a student successfully complete the next highest sequential course before receiving credit. However, a student cannot receive credit by examination for any course if they have already completed a more advanced course in that subject area.
  • A maximum of 10 challenge credits can be earned in a distribution area. No more than 5 challenge credits can be used to meet the writing skills requirement for a WVC degree. Challenge credits will not fulfill the writing requirement for advanced English composition.
  • Course challenge credit from other institutions will be accepted by WVC in accordance with policy guidelines.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 plus a $10 fee for each credit attempted and must be paid prior to challenge exam.

DANTES Subject Test (DSST)

Credits from Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subjects Standardized Test (DANTES SST) examination program offered by Educational Testing Services are accepted as cross walked. There are 50 subject-standardized tests covering a wide range of college-level academic, business and technical subjects.

  • WVC is not a testing site for DSST and official scores must be submitted for evaluation.
  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA before credits may be awarded.
  • A maximum award of 10 DSST credits can be earned in a distribution area (maximum of 5 credits in world languages). A maximum of 5 DSST credits can be used to meet the writing skills requirement for a degree. Credit will not fulfill the writing requirement for advanced English composition.
  • DSST credit is not allowed if credit has been received for a more advanced class.
  • DSST credit receives a “P” grade, will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • There is no fee for this evaluation.

For more information, visit wvc.edu/DANTES.

Industry Certification and Licensures

Individuals who have completed training comparable to college-level programs through non-degree awarding agencies or institutions may apply for evaluation of credit. Examples include recognized nursing, fire service, law enforcement/corrections or fire science academies, and other certifications or licenses.

  • For Industry Certifications and Licensures (cross walked or non-cross walked) students must have at least 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration
  • Submission of official records, as well as supporting documentation must be submitted that includes the following: content, level, time period, hours, location, method of instruction, instructors, method of evaluation and achievement.
  • All certifications or licenses must be current and valid and training must be documented with ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training. (If training is not documented with ACE, students should apply for credit using the ACPL Course Challenge method.)
  • Training documentation will be evaluated by instructional faculty in the appropriate department to determine the comparability.
  • Approved credits are identified on the student’s transcript as credit for professional certification of training.
  • Credits earned though documented college-level learning, must be related to the theories, practices and content of the relevant academic field and must fall within the regular curricular offerings of an appropriate course or program, but for transfer degrees they may be used only up to a maximum of 15 credits as restricted electives.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to 25% of total credits for degree.
  • Credit is posted with a “P” grade and will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • There is no fee for cross walked (prior evaluation completed) Industry Certifications and Licensures. If not previously cross walked, there is a non-refundable application fee of $50 plus a $10 fee for each credit.

For more information, visit wvc.edu/IndustryCert.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

WVC will award credit for the Higher Level International Baccalaureate exam which consists of college-level courses and exams for high school students as crosswalked.

  • WVC is not a testing site for IB and official scores must be submitted for evaluation.
  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration.
  • Students may receive credit for the International Baccalaureate higher-level subjects when a score of 4 or higher is earned in selected subjects.
  • When no specific course number is listed, the most appropriate course equivalent is determined on a case-by-case by the appropriate department faculty.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to25% of total credits for degree.
  • IB credit receives a “P” grade, will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • There is no fee for this evaluation.

For more information, visit wvc.edu/ib.

Military Education and Experience

As required by RCW 28B.10.057, Wenatchee Valley College will award academic credit for military training. The academic credit awarded for prior military training must be granted only for training that is applicable to the student’s certificate or degree requirements.

  • Students must have 15 WVC transcribed credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA to be eligible for academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) consideration.
  • ACPL credit is limited to a maximum of 30 credits required for WVC degrees or certificates. Workforce programs, specifically, are limited to25% of total credits for degree.
  • Credit is posted as a “P” grade, will not affect the GPA and will not apply to WVC residency requirements.
  • There is no fee for this evaluation.

Individuals must be enrolled in a public institution of higher education and have successfully completed any military training course or program as part of the military service that is:

  • Recommended for credit by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for military training programs;
  • Included in the individual’s military transcript issued by any branch of the armed services;
  • Documented military training or experience that is substantially equivalent to any course or program offered by the institution of higher education.

NOTE:

  1. Per the Veterans Administration, all veteran student transfer credit must be evaluated within two quarters of program start. After the third quarter, if the student does not submit all transcripts, he/she must be decertified for the use of VA education benefits.
  2. Some military transfer credit will be subject to external evaluation criteria (e.g. Aviation Maintenance Technician and Professional Pilot.)
  3. Veteran students using education benefits are not permitted to opt out of prior credit evaluation.

For more information, visit www.wvc.edu/pla.