Section III: Programs

(Educational Programs Standards for All Educational Programs)

3.4.8.  The institution awards academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit basis only when there is documentation that the noncredit course work is equivalent to a designated credit experience.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance. Historically, Northeast has not awarded academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit basis. However, the institution is currently developing policies that will adhere to Alabama State Board of Education policy 706.01, Credit Awarded through Non-Traditional Means: General, revised August 28, 2003, and to the Chancellor’s guidelines published subsequent to the policy, and by which the institution will accept such credit which meets the criteria set forth by the policy and guidelines.

Policy 706.01:

1.1      College credit may be awarded through nontraditional means (i.e., credit awarded for prior

           learning from which the skills that comprise courses -- terminal objectives -- are mastered to  

           an acceptable degree of proficiency).

1.2      Credit awarded through nontraditional means for academic transfer courses may only be

           awarded by examination or nationally recognized guidelines (AP, CLEP, ACT/PEP, DANTES,

           Challenge Exams, ACE PONSI/CREDIT, ACE/MILITARY).

1.3             All System colleges will accept a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement subject

           examinations for credit in the course that corresponds to the AP test.

1.4            Credit awarded through nontraditional means for non-academic transfer courses may only be

           awarded through portfolio review after approval by a prior learning assessment specialist at    

           the college.

1.5            Not more than 25 percent of total credit required for any program may be awarded through      

           nontraditional means. Credit awarded through nontraditional means is not applicable toward the

           minimum of 25 percent of semester credit hours that must be completed at the college granting 

           the degree as referenced in State Board of Education Policy 715.01.

The Chancellor of The Alabama College System shall issues guidelines for the implementation of this policy.

The Chancellor’s guidelines are explicit to ensure that proper documentation and evaluation are performed and when prior learning assessment (PLA) may be applicable. The guidelines state, “Credit for academic transfer courses awarded through PLA may only be awarded by examination or nationally recognized guidelines (AP, CLEP, ACT/MILITARY). Credit for experiential learning (portfolio review) may not be awarded for academic transfer courses.” The guidelines are also explicit regarding the contents of the portfolio and the evaluation of it. The portfolio must include a brief life history, statement of the individual’s career goals, description of experiences (work and non-work related) and related learning matched to courses for which credit is being sought, and any supporting documentation. Faculty in the applicable program will work with the PLA specialist to evaluate the portfolio for appropriate course credit.

The PLA specialist is one who has obtained a certificate of professional achievement from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

An explanation of the college’s developing relationship of articulation with area school systems is included in Comprehensive Standard 3.4.4.

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