Students with previous academic training, on-the-job experiences, military training, and other past learning activities can translate their acquired knowledge into college credit through the various following options. A maximum of 25 percent of a degree or certificate may be awarded using Prior Learning options.
Advanced Placement/College Board Test
Proficiency credit may be awarded for specific scores of advanced placement classes taken in high school. Official scores must be sent to the Director of Enrollment and Records. Students must earn 6 hours of HCC credit before Advance Placement credits are applied to their transcript.
Credit Granted for AP Examination Scores by Course
| AP Course | Score | HCC Course | Credits Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gov. & Politics | 3 | POL 152 | 3 |
| Art/Drawing | 3 | ART 113 | 3 |
| Art History | 3 | ART 215 | 3 |
| Biology | 3 | BIOL 110 | 4 |
| Biology | 4 or 5 | BIOL 208 & BIOL 209 | 8 |
| College Algebra | 3 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| Precalculus | 4 or 5 | MATH 170 | 5 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | MATH 172 | 4 |
| Calculus AB | 4 or 5 | MATH 250 | 5 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | MATH 250 | 5 |
| Calculus BC | 4 or 5 | MATH 250 & 255 | 10 |
| Chemistry | 3 | CHEM 120 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 4 | CHEM 123 | 5 |
| Chemistry | 5 | CHEM 123 & CHEM 124 | 10 |
| Computer Science | 3 | INFT 190 | 3 |
| English Language/Literature | 3 | ENG 1XX (Elective) | 3 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | PHYS 140 | 4 |
| Physics 1 | 4 or 5 | PHYS 141 | 4 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | PHYS 140 | 4 |
| Physics 2 | 4 or 5 | PHYS 142 | 4 |
| Physics C Mechanics | 3 | PHYS 141 | 4 |
| Physics C Mechanics | 4 or 5 | PHYS 143 | 4 |
| Physics C Elect. & Mag. | 3 or 4 or 5 | PHYS 142 | 4 |
| Psychology | 3 | PSYCH 161 | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 | MATH 134 | 3 |
| U.S. History | 3 | HIST 143 | 3 |
| U.S. History | 4 or 5 | HIST 143 & 144 |
CLEP Exam
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on a wide variety of subject examinations.
CLEP Information and Processes
Earn college credit for what you already know:
The College-level examination program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know with qualifying scores on one or more CLEP examinations. These exams test your knowledge of introductory college-level subjects. Highland Community College provides credit for successful scores on 25 CLEP exams. The following table lists the exam(s) for which credit is granted, the required score, and the equivalent course you would bypass.
Other important Information about our CLEP policy:
Students may earn up to 15 credits with CLEP exams for Highland Community College. Students may not repeat an exam with the same title within 3 months of the testing date. CLEP exams repeated earlier than 3 months will be canceled, and your test fees will be forfeited.
Additional Information about CLEP:
The College Board’s website provides additional information about CLEP exams, including exam descriptions and test preparation resources: www.collegeboard.com/clep. You can also contact your academic advisor to discuss whether CLEP is right for you.
How do I get credit for CLEP:
When you take a CLEP exam, you can select the institution that should receive your scores. Select Highland Community College to have your scores sent here. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to the school. You will also receive an unofficial copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination for the majority of CLEP tests. If you do not indicate where you would like your score sent on the day of the test, you can always request a transcript at a later time for a fee. Just submit the Transcript Request Form that is available on the CLEP website: www.collegeboard.com/clep.
What should I bring on exam day:
Please bring a valid Government issued ID, the registration ticket, and $30.00 exact cash or check(made out to Highland Community College). Cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses, calculators, PDAs of any kind, beepers, alarm watches, books, papers, food along with some other items are not allowed in the testing room. A calculator is provided if your exam requires you to use one. Each exam lasts approximately two hours. Candidates with disabilities who require accommodations must make arrangements well in advance of the test date.
I’m ready to take a CLEP exam, what do I do:
• Test Dates: By appointment only. Please e-mail the Highland Testing Center to request a CLEP
test at testingcenter@highland.edu.
• Register for your CLEP test at www.collegeboard.com/clep and you will pay for the CLEP test
exam fee when you register for the test at College Board.
Reference: Some of the above information was taken from www.collegeboard.com/clep. Please visit
the College Board Clep website for additional CLEP information.
Credit Granted for CLEP Examinations by Exam
| CLEP Exam | Required Score | Credits Granted | Equivalent Score |
| American Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 225 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 223 or 224 |
| College Composition | 50 | 3 | ENGL 121 |
| English Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 228 |
| Humanities | 50 | 3 | HUMA 104 |
| German Language: Levels 1 and 2 | Level 1 = 50 Level 2 = 60 | 4 8 | GERM 151 GERM 151 and 152 |
| Spanish Language: Levels 1 and 2 | Level 1 = 50 Level 2 = 63 | 4 8 | SPAN 155 SPAN 155 and 156 |
| Spanish and Writing: Levels 1 and 2 | Level 1 = 50 Level 2 = 65 | 8 12 | SPAN 155 and 156 SPAN 155, 156, and 201 |
| American Government | 50 | 3 | POL 152 |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | HIST 143 |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 144 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | PSY 262 |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSY 261 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSY 161 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | SOCI 171 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 111 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 112 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 3 | HIST 299 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | HIST 141 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 142 |
| Biology | 50 | 4 | BIOL 110 |
| Calculus | 50 | 5 | MATH 250 |
| Chemistry | 50 | 10 | CHEM 123 and 124 |
| College Algebra | 50 | 4 | MATH 166 |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 4 | MATH 132 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 3 | SPTP 118 |
| Precalculus | 50 | 5 | MATH 170 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 4 | ACCT 213 |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | INFT 180 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | BUSN 223 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | BUSN 249 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | BUSN 246 |
IB Diploma Programme (DP)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject tests may be used to fulfill HCC course requirements in a variety of areas. Download a guide to assessment to learn more about your IB diploma and college admission.
It is the student’s responsibility to request examination scores to be sent to the Director of Enrollment and Records. Credit will be designated with a “PR” test credit on the student’s transcript. No credit by examination will be recorded on a student’s transcript until the student has earned at least six (6) semester hours in regular classes at Highland Community College.
IB Test Equivalencies [PDF, 86.68 KB]
Credit by Proficiency
Students can earn up to 25 percent of the credit hours required for an HCC degree or certificate by successfully completing proficiency tests. Proficiency tests are best suited for students with considerable academic and life experiences.
To take proficiency tests at Highland, a student must first be formally admitted to the College. Students are also encouraged to meet with an HCC advisor or instructor for an assessment of their qualifications before taking proficiency exams. Students must pay a non-refundable administrative fee of $25 and non-refundable tuition of a $25/credit hour before taking the test. The tests may include a written or oral exam, portfolio review, history of on-the-job experiences, or any combination of the above.
Following successful completion of proficiency tests, credit will be granted and will appear on the student’s official HCC transcript. Proficiency credit carries no grade value and does not affect a student’s grade-point average. It cannot be used to fulfill the residency requirements of HCC degrees. Students should check with their transfer institution regarding their policies for proficiency credit.
Proficiency credit earned at other accredited institutions will be accepted at Highland providing the course for which the test was taken is equivalent to an HCC course and as long as the institution recorded the credit on a student’s official transcript.
Interested students should contact the Office of Admissions and Records for details at 815.599.3414.
Military Experience
College-level credit will be awarded to veterans based upon recommendations listed in the most recent Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services or evaluation of the student’s SMART transcripts which are available online. If requested, up to four semester hours of physical education activity credit will be awarded to veterans whose DD214 verifies at least one year of “active duty” or more upon request. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 815.599.3414 for more information.
PEP (Proficiency Examination Program)
PEP credit will be allowed for specific nursing courses only. Students must make arrangements with the Director of Nursing for testing and test specifics.