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The College Decision

Helping your son or daughter, or your student, choose a college and career path is an enormous responsibility. Our freshmen repeatedly name their parents and counselors as the key people influencing their college decision. We know how important this time is and how stressful it can be. Let us help.

We’re glad you’re considering Highland

At Highland, we want every student to succeed. We focus our energies on helping our students achieve their dreams. We’re paying attention to each and every student starting their college career at Highland. We hope that our website will help you and your student learn more about our academic programs and comprehensive student support services.

Quality Instruction

Our faculty are well qualified to teach anywhere, and they choose to teach at Highland because they care about students. They like direct interaction in the classroom and they appreciate watching every student succeed. Our average class size is 23 students – small enough to include everyone and large enough to generate a spellbinding discussion. Our best test of instructional quality is the alumni that have been here and elsewhere. They tell us over and over again that they are extremely satisfied with the quality of instruction they received at Highland.

Transfer

If you are transferring to a 4-year school after HCC, take comfort in knowing that on average our students do better than the students that started out at 4-year colleges and universities. They’re well prepared for the advanced course-work and our College Success Skills Class has already helped them learn the skills they need to succeed. Transferring your credits from here to there is perfectly painless thanks to the Illinois Articulation Initiative, which guarantees credit transfer. Just be sure to have your student work with an advisor.

Career Choices

We have 70 degree and certificate programs, and at least 40 percent of our students embark on a career as soon as they finish their degree at Highland. Many are required to take state licensure exams in order to pursue careers in cosmetology, truck driving, and nursing. We’re proud of the fact that our students exceed the state average test results by a surprisingly wide margin. So, if your student needs technical skills to prepare for a new career, you can choose from one of our occupational and non-transfer degree programs. Many of these programs are developed in steps, so your student can come back later and pick up new skills once they’re in the workforce.

Comprehensive Services

Success doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Sometimes, the most important things are learned in study groups, lunchtime discussions about our world, or with a trusted advisor. That’s why Highland offers a full list of student services, clubs and organizations. Whether your student needs academic advising, free tutoring services, special ADA accommodations, research assistance, or career advice, Highland has friendly, competent staff members to help.

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

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

Credit Granted for CLEP Examinations by Exam

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

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.