Maximize Your Credit . . . Minimize Your Time!

Students may request credit for work experience or skills that match specific course competencies. 

Guidelines

• Deadlines & Process: Submit a written request using the Credit by Experience form before the 10% point of the class.
• Restrictions: Credit cannot be granted for cooperative work experience or work-based learning courses.
• Required Documentation:
  • Examples include verified work history, a thesis with transcript, recorded presentations, or exhibit brochures showcasing skills.
  • The department chair or lead instructor will guide you on necessary documentation.
• Approvals: Experiences requiring skill demonstrations must be approved by the department chair, subject area chair, and vice president/chief academic officer.
• Veterans: Training through armed forces programs may qualify with proper documentation.
• Apprenticeships: Skills gained through apprenticeships may be eligible with documentation and approvals.

Additional Notes:

• Approved credit is recorded as "EL" on transcripts (non-course credit hours, no GPA impact).
• Documentation is kept on file for five years.
• Credit by experience can fulfill up to 20% of a credential but not the required one-quarter of institutional credits with an earned grade.

For more details or assistance, contact your department chair.

Students may request credit for subjects tested under AP, CLEP, or DANTES exams if the subjects align with their current curriculum requirements and test scores meet American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. Official test scores must be submitted to the Student Records and Registrar's Office.

Guidelines

• Submission of Scores: Official score reports must be sent directly from the College Board to the Student Records and Registrar's Office for evaluation.
• Time Limit: Scores must be earned within the last 10 years unless approved by the chief academic officer.
• Course Equivalency: Credit is granted on a course-by-course basis for courses closely matching those offered at CCCC. Credits must meet the credit hours of the equivalent CCCC course.
• Grade Point Average: Credit awarded will not impact the GPA.
• Score Requirements:
  • A score of 3 or higher is required for AP credit.
  • ACE-recommended cut-off scores are used for CLEP and DANTES exams.

For questions or assistance, contact the Student Records and Registrar's Office.

Students may request credit for military training and education documented on a Joint Services Transcript (JST). Credit is awarded based on the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations and its applicability to the student’s current program of study.

Guidelines

• Submission of Transcript: An official JST must be sent to the Student Records and Registrar’s Office for evaluation.
• Credit Evaluation: Credit will be awarded for training and education that aligns with the student’s curriculum and meets ACE credit recommendations.
• Grade Point Average: Credit awarded will not impact the GPA.

For questions or assistance, contact the Student Records and Registrar’s Office.

North Carolina high school graduates may be eligible for community college credit through an articulation agreement between the NC Department of Public Instruction and the NC Community College System. Credit can be awarded for select high school courses completed in NC public schools.

Guidelines

• Initiating a Request: Students must complete the Articulated HS to CC Credit form to request credit.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Credit is based on the student’s program of study at CCCC, the grade earned in the high school course, and the CTE post-assessment test score.
  • The student must enroll in a community college program within two years of high school graduation.
  • CTE post-assessment score requirements are determined by the guidelines in place when the high school course was completed.
• Documentation: Required documentation must be submitted with the request.
• Additional Notes:
  • Articulated credit is tuition-free.
  • Rules for maximum transfer or alternative credit for any credential apply.
  • Credit awarded will not impact the grade point average.

For assistance, contact the Student Records and Registrar’s Office.

Students with prior proficiency in a course due to educational or work experience may apply for credit by examination. This option is available for selected courses as determined by the department chair and involves a proficiency demonstration such as a written exam, oral exam, shop exercise, or lab exercise.

Guidelines

• Eligibility:
  • Provide evidence of preparedness (e.g., high achievement in school, military service, or work experience) with a written request to the department chair.
  • Submit a Credit by Exam Form to the appropriate department chair.
  • Obtain permission from the department chair or chief academic officer.
• Performance Requirements:
  • Earn a grade of 85% or higher on the proficiency exam.
  • Take the exam prior to the start of the semester when the course would be taken in the academic program.
  • Exams may only be attempted once per course and must be completed before enrolling in or auditing the course.
• Credit Award:
  • Credit is awarded as non-course credit and recorded with a grade of "CE" (Credit by Examination).
  • The instructor will document the exam results on the Challenge Exam Request Form and submit it to the Student Records and Registrar’s Office.
  • Credit awarded will not impact the grade point average.

For questions or assistance, contact the Student Records and Registrar’s Office.

Through an internal articulation agreement between the Continuing Education and Curriculum divisions at CCCC, students may request an evaluation of eligible continuing education courses for curriculum course credit using the Request for Evaluation of Continuing Education Units for Curriculum Credit form.

Guidelines

• Eligibility:
  • Students must complete pre-approved continuing education courses that lead to a state or industry-recognized certificate or licensure.
  • Courses must be pre-approved for articulation to corresponding curriculum courses.
  • Students must register, pay, and pass the continuing education course with a satisfactory grade before requesting credit.
• Requesting Credit:
  • Students must be enrolled in the corresponding curriculum program and actively enrolled in at least one curriculum course beyond the 10% date of the semester or session.
  • Requests must be submitted within five years of earning the continuing education unit.
• Credit Limits:
  • Up to 75% of an Associate of Applied Science degree, diploma, or certificate may be earned through continuing education units. The remaining 25% must be completed as curriculum credits at CCCC.
  • Credit applies only to specific curriculum courses and cannot substitute for other required courses or be used in different programs of study.
  • Non-course credit hours count toward graduation but may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
• Additional Notes:
  • Documentation must be submitted with the request.
  • Articulated CE credit is tuition-free.
  • Rules for maximum transfer or alternative credit apply.
  • Credit will not impact the grade point average.

For assistance, contact the Student Records and Registrar’s Office.