Academic Credit for Prior Learning

ACPL can help students complete their training and degree programs sooner by evaluating an individual's existing knowledge and competencies for college credit, including knowledge that may have been acquired through documented military training.

Methods for awarding Academic Credit for Prior Learning include:

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Tests

Credit by Standardized Testing or Evaluation

BTC awards college credit for completion of certain standardized examinations, listed below. Provide documentation of these exams, through a high school transcript or other means to Admissions & Advising. If you have taken a similar standardized examination not listed below, please contact Admissions & Advising.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Students who have completed college-level AP courses in high school and have taken the exams administered by the College Board may receive college credit in selected courses at BTC. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript. AP scores may also be used to waive portions of the Accuplacer exam.

To request credit based on AP scores, students must submit either official AP test scores from the College Board or official high school transcripts containing AP scores to Admissions & Advising. Credit will be awarded according to the Advanced Placement Credit Chart below which outlines the minimum required scores and corresponding courses.

  • AP Credit Chart

    AP Exam Min Score BTC Course Credits

    Biology 3 BIOL& 160 5
    Calculus AB 3 MATH& 151 5
    Calculus BC 3 MATH& 151, MATH& 152 5
    Calculus BC 5 MATH& 151,MATH& 152 10
    Chemistry 3 CHEM& 121, CHEM& 161 5
    Chemistry 5 CHEM& 121, CHEM& 161, CHEM& 162 10
    Economics (Microeconomics) 3 ECON& 201 5
    Economics (Macroeconomics) 3 ECON& 202 5
    English: Language & Comp 3 Elective 5
    English: Language & Comp 4 ENGL& 101 5
    English: Literature & Comp 3 Elective - Humanities Distribution 5
    Physics 1 3 Elective - Science Distribution 5
    Physics 1 4 PHYS& 114 5
    Physics C (Mechanics) 3 Elective - Science Distribution 5
    Physics C (Mechanics) 4 PHYS& 221 5
    Spanish: Language & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 5
    Spanish: Language & Culture 4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 5
    Spanish: Language & Culture 5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 10
    Spanish: Literature & Culture 3 SPAN& 121 5
    Spanish: Literature & Culture 4 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 5
    Spanish: Literature & Culture 5 SPAN& 121, SPAN& 122 10
    Psychology 3 Elective - Social Science 5
    Psychology 4 PSYC& 100 5
    Statistics 3 MATH& 146 5
    US Government & Politics 3 Elective - Social Science 5
    US Government & Politics 4 POLS& 202 5
    US History 3 HIST& 146, HIST& 147, HIST& 148 5
    US History 5 HIST& 146, HIST& 147, HIST& 148 10

Cambridge Crosswalk (CI)

BTC awards unrestricted elective credit for a Cambridge (CI) score of E on A and AS level exams. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CI results, not transcript notation. Credits granted for general education or major requirements are specified below; otherwise, elective credit will be granted.

  • CI Test Score Equivalencies

    The chart included on this page represents course equivalencies awarded for each Cambridge International (CI) exam score and recognized by all community and technical colleges in Washington. Colleges may award additional credits based on local policies, when appropriate, but should not award course equivalency credit for scores lower than those listed in this table. Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their CI exam credits.

     

    Requirements of the Associate of Arts (AA) General Transfer degree allow ten (10) credits maximum from any single department for Humanities Social Sciences and Natural Sciences distribution requirements. A maximum of five (5) credits of World Language can be used for Humanities distribution.

     

    Name Exam Minimum Credit

    Accounting A Level ACCT&201, ACCT&202, and ACCT&203 (15)
    Accounting AS Level General electives (5)
    Art & Design A Level Humanities distribution in art (10) and general electives (5)
    Art & Design AS Level Humanities distribution in art (7.5)
    Biology A Level Natural science distribution in biology, with lab (10) and general electives (5)
    Biology AS Level Natural science distribution in biology, with lab (7.5)
    Business A Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (10)
    Business AS Level BUS&101 (5) and business electives (2.5)
    Chemistry A Level CHEM&161, CHEM&162, and CHEM&163 (15)
    Chemistry AS Level Natural science distribution in chemistry, with lab (7.5)
    Chinese A Level World language (10) and humanities distribution (5)
    Chinese - Language AS Level  World language (7.5)
    Classical Studies A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
    Classical Studies AS Level  Humanities distribution (7.5)
    Computer Science A Level Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (10)
    Computer Science AS Level  Computer science for non-majors (5) and general electives (2.5)
    Digital Media & Design A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
    Digital Media & Design AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
    Drama A Level DRMA& 101 (5), humanities distribution (5), and general electives (5)
    Drama AS Level DRMA& 101 (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
    Economics A Level ECON&201 (5), ECON&202 (5), and general electives (5)
    Economics AS Level Social science distribution in economics (7.5)
    English - Language A Level General electives (15)
    English - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
    English - Language and Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
    English - Literature A Level Humanities distribution (10) and general electives (5)
    English - Literature AS Level General electives (7.5)
    English General Paper AS Level General electives (7.5)
    Environmental Management AS Level Natural science distribution, with lab (7.5)
    French A Level FRCH&121, FRCH&122, and FRCH&123 (15) …. UW awards 200-level credit
    French - Language AS Level FRCH&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
    Geography A Level Social science distribution (10) and general electives (5)
    Geography AS Level Social science distribution (7.5)
    German A Level GERM&121, GERM&122, and GERM&123 (15) …. UW gives primarily 300-level credit
    German - Language AS Level GERM&123 (5) and humanities distribution (5)
    Global Perspectives and Research A Level General electives (15)
    Global Perspectives and Research AS Level General electives (7.5)
    History A Level Humanities or social science distribution in history (10 in one or 5 in each) and general electives (5 to 10)
    History AS Level Humanities or social science distribution in history (7.5)
    Japanese - Language AS Level World language (5) and humanities distribution (2.5)
    Marine Science A Level Natural science distribution, with lab (10) and general electives (5)
    Marine Science AS Level Natural science distribution, with lab (7.5)
    Mathematics A Level MATH&151 (5), MATH&152 (5), and mathematics electives (5)
    Mathematics AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
    Mathematics - Further A Level MATH&146 (5), MATH&153 (5), and mathematics electives (5)
    Mathematics - Further AS Level Mathematics electives (7.5)
    Media Studies A Level Humanities distribution in communication (10) and general electives (5)
    Media Studies AS Level Humanities distribution in communication (7.5)
    Music A Level Humanities distribution in music (10) and general electives (5)
    Music AS Level Humanities distribution in music (7.5)
    Physical Education A Level General electives (15)
    Physical Education AS Level General electives (7.5)
    Physics A Level PHYS&114, PHYS&115, and PHYS&116 (15)
    Physics AS Level Natural science distribution in physics, with lab (7.5)
    Psychology A Level PSYC&100 (5), social science distribution in psychology (5), and general electives (5)
    Psychology AS Level Social science distribution in psychology (7.5)
    Sociology A Level SOC&101 (5), social science distribution in sociology (5), and general electives (5)
    Sociology AS Level Social science distribution in sociology (7.5)
    Spanish A Level SPAN&121, 122, and 123 (15)
    Spanish - Language AS Level General electives (7.5)
    Spanish - Literature AS Level Humanities distribution (7.5)
    Thinking Skills A Level Humanities or social science distribution in philosophy (10 in one or 5 in each) and general electives (5 to 10)
    Thinking Skills AS Level Humanities or social science distribution in philosophy (7.5)

    For Cambridge exams that are not listed here (Afrikaans, Arabic, Divinity, Hindi, Hinduism, Information Technology, Islamic Studies, Law, Portuguese, Tamil, Travel & Tourism, or Urdu), please contact your college's Office of Admissions or Enrollment Services.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students who have completed IB courses in high school may receive college credit for selected courses at BTC. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript upon program completion. IB may also be used to waive portions of the Accuplacer exam.

To request credit based on IB scores, students must submit official scores from the IB to Admissions & Advising.

  • IB Credit Chart

    Exam Min Score BTC COURSE Notes

    Soc/Cult Anthro 5 ANTH 900 Social Science Elective ANTH& 206
    Environmental Sci 5 BIOL 900 Natural Science Elective  
    Biology 5 BIOL& 160 General Biology with Lab  
    Bus & Management 5 BUS 900 Business Elective  
    Chemistry 5 CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 or 162 Introduction to Chemistry  
    Economics 5 ECON 201 Social Science Elective  
    English A 4 ENGL& 101 English Composition I No credit for English B
    Geography 5 GEOG 900 Social Science Elective GEOG& 100
    any History 5 HIST& 146 Social Science Elective  
    Mathematics 5 MATH& 141 Precalculus I Both MATH& 141/142
    Mathematics 5 MATH& 142 Precalculus II Both MATH& 141/142
    Music 5 MUSC 900 Humanities Elective MUSC& 105
    Philosophy 5 PHIL 900 Humanities Elective  
    Physics 5 PHYS& 221 Natural Science Elective  
    Psychology 4 PSYC& 100 General Psychology  

College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) Testing

Students who have taken CLEP exams may receive credit in selected courses at BTC. To request credit based on CLEP scores students must submit official CLEP scores to Admissions & Advising. A note reflecting credit granted will appear on the student transcript upon program completion.

See the following list for policies on granting placement of credit for CLEP exams. Credit will not be granted for scores below the ACE recommended score.

 

  • CLEP Credit Chart

    EXAM Min Score BTC Course

    Financial Accounting 50 ACCT 141 Financial Accounting I
    Biology 50 BIOL& 160 General Biology with Lab
    Introductory Business Law 50 BUS 900 Business Elective
    Principles of Management 50 BUS 900 Business Elective
    Chemistry 50 CHEM& 121
    or CHEM& 161
    or 162
    Introduction to Chemistry
    or General Chemistry I w/ Lab
    Princ. of Macro/Micro Econ 50 Econ& 201 Social Science Elective
    Intro to Ed Psych 50 EDUC 900 PTE Elective
    English Composition 50 ENGL& 101 English Composition I
    English Composition 50 ENGL& 102 English Composition II
    College Mathematics 50 MATH& 107 Math in Society
    College Algebra 50 MATH& 141 Precalculus I
    Precalculus or 50 MATH& 142 Precalculus II
    Calculus 50 MATH& 151 Calculus I
    Introductory Psychology 50 PSYC& 100 General Psychology
    Human Growth & Development 50 PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology
    Introductory Sociology 50 SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology
    History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 50 HIST& 147 United States History
    History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present 50 HIST 900 Social Science Elective
    Social Sciences and History 50 HIST 900 Social Science Elective
    Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 50 HIST 900 Social Science Elective
    Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present 50 HIST 900 Social Science Elective
    Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 50 ENGL 900 Humanities Elective
    English Literature 50 ENGL 900 Humanities Elective
    Humanities 50 HUM 900 Humanities Elective
    Natural Sciences 50 BIOL 900 Natural Science Elective

Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST; formerly DANTES)

The nationally recognized DSST provides college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of 38 exams in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities. The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for all 38 DSST exams.

To request credit based on DSST scores, students must submit official scores to Admissions & Advising. Credit awarded will be indicated in the student database and will appear on the graduate’s record of cumulative waiver/transfer earned upon program completion.

  • DSST Credit Chart

    Exam Min Score BTC Course

    Principles of Financial Accounting 47 ACCT 141 Financial Accounting I
    General Anthropology 48/400* ANTH 900 Social Science Elective
    Business Mathematics 48/400* BUS 150 Mathematics for Business
    Business Law II 44 BUS 900 Business Elective
    Human Resource Management 46 BUS 900 Business Elective
    Foundations of Education 46 EDUC 900 PTE Elective
    Human/Cultural Geography 48 GEOG 900 Social Science Elective
    Physical Geology 46 GEOL 900 Natural Science Elective
    Fundamentals of College Algebra 400 MATH& 141 Precalculus I
    Principles of Statistics 48/400* MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics
    Business Ethics and Society 400 MGMT 900 Business Elective
    Ethics in America 46/400 PHIL 900 Humanities Elective
    Principles of Physical Science I 47 PHYS 900 Natural Science Elective
    Astronomy 48  ASTR 900 Natural Science Elective
    Lifespan Development Psychology 46 PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology

    *In 2008, ACE revised 14 exams and changed to a score range of 200-500 for these exams, with 400 being the cut score for passing. Thus, in the chart you will see scores for both unrevised and revised exams. For example, “48/400” indicates scores before and after 2008.

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Prior Learning

Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio) and Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam):

Credit for Prior Experiential Learning allows students to receive credit for program course requirements for which the student demonstrates knowledge and expertise that meets the outcomes of the course(s). Credit for prior experiences can be shown through various means of assessment; however, these experiences must be equivalent to learning gained through formal collegiate instruction. This experience may include industry certifications, work experiences, and similar out-of-classroom learning. The college may recommend online instruction in portfolio development.

  • Only certain courses/programs are eligible.
  • The course(s) must be offered in the current college catalog.
  • Credits do not count toward residence requirements.
  • Credits are not eligible for financial aid and do not count toward full or part-time enrollment.
  • Cost is $75 per credit.
  • Credits are not eligible for payment through Running Start. 

Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio):

  • If successful, a grade of CR will be awarded on your transcript.

Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam):

  • Students must earn a B or higher to be awarded a letter grade on their transcript.
  • Students cannot repeat a course challenge.

Process for Credit by Examination (Challenge Exam) and Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio):

Contact the ACPL office at hwillbrandt@btc.edu,or by calling 360.752.8478, to discuss process and procedures.

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Software Certifications

BTC accepts industry-certification exams for the courses listed below. Students provide documentation of the certification and the corresponding course is recorded on the transcript as CR.

  • Industry Certification Chart

    BTC Course Credits Exam Minimum Score

    CAP 101 Microsoft Computer Applications 5 All three IC3 exams:
    Computing Fundamentals 650
    Living Online 620
    Key Applications 720
    CAP 114 Microsoft Outlook 3 MOS Outlook 700
    CAP 138 Microsoft Word 5 MOS Word and 700
    MOS Word Expert 700
    CAP 142 Microsoft Excel 5 MOS Excel and 700
    MOS Excel Expert 700
    CAP 146 Microsoft Access 3 MOS Access 700
    CAP 148 Microsoft PowerPoint 3 MOS PowerPoint 700
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