General Catalog 2008-2009

Admission/Registration/Enrollment

Credit for Prior Learning (AR 2.2.4)

The Maricopa Community Colleges recognize that learning takes place in a variety of situations and circumstances. Many students have significant, demonstrable learning from experiences outside the traditional academic environment. Therefore, prior learning, not life experience, is the basis for the award of college credit.

Students may be awarded no more than 30 credit hours, unless required by a specific program of study, within the Maricopa Community Colleges using one or more of the following assessment methods recommended by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and the American Council on Education (ACE):

• Articulated Programs
• Credit By Evaluation
• College-Level Equivalency Examinations.

Credit awarded through prior learning will be posted to a student's transcript upon completion of one or more credit hours (other than by prior learning) at the college granting credit. Exceptions may be granted at some MCCCD colleges for specifically approved programs

Credit awarded for prior learning does not count as hours in residence for graduation requirements. Exceptions may be granted at some MCCD colleges for their unique programs of study. No more than 20 semester credit hours may be applied to AGEC. Credit received through Prior Learning Assessment is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities. Therefore, students are strongly advised to meet with a program advisor or contact the college or university they plan to attend.

For further information on Prior Learning Assessment, contact the Office of Admissions and Records.

A. Credit by Evaluation

The Maricopa Community Colleges offer credit by evaluation. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military training and experiences as well as non-collegiate sponsored training programs and recommends credit awards based on this evaluation.

The number of credits listed in the ACE guide are recommendations only. A college is not required to grant a student the number of credits recommended. The credits are included on a student's transcript.

1. Educational Experiences in the Armed Services

The Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit for military experiences based on the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. A student may receive college credit if:

a. training parallels a discipline area offered through the Maricopa Community Colleges, and
b. credit meets a program requirement or is used as elective credit.

Upon request, individuals who have successfully completed Basic Training, four (4) credit hours in Physical Education will be awarded as indicated in the ACE Guide and the Community College of the Air Force Catalog. Official documentation of military training is required.

2. College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT)

ACE evaluates training programs offered by business, industry, and government and publishes its credit recommendations in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. If a student has received training which appears in the guide, he or she may receive college credit if:

a. training parallels a discipline area offered through the Maricopa Community Colleges, and
b. credit meets a program requirement or is used as elective credit.

3. Departmental Credit By Evaluation

Students may apply for Departmental Credit By Evaluation in certain courses by obtaining the appropriate form in the Office of Admissions and Records, and completing applicable paperwork and other requirements of the college, including payment of required fee. See fee schedule for appropriate fee. Fees are not refundable if a student fails to obtain credit.

Students may not request:

a. the evaluation of a course a second time;
b. the evaluation of a course while currently enrolled in the course;
c. to establish credit in a previously completed course; and
d. to establish credit for a lower level of a course in which credit has been received. Exceptions may be granted at some MCCCD colleges for their unique programs of study.

Certain departments have additional requirements which must be met before credit may be granted through departmental credit by evaluation.

When credit is granted as outlined above, a notation of "credit by evaluation," and the number of credits will appear on the student's transcript. These credits are not used in computing the grade point average. Credit by evaluation is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges, but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities.

B. College-Level Equivalency Examinations

ACE has published credit recommendations for a number of national standardized examinations such as the ones listed below in the Guide to Educational Credit By Examination.

The Maricopa Community Colleges use these recommendations as guidelines to award credit for equivalent Maricopa Community Colleges coursework as well as elective credit. Scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records from the specific testing company(s) before credit is awarded.

All equivalency is subject to future review and possible catalog change.

1. Advanced Placement Examinations

Students who have taken an advanced placement course of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) in their secondary school and who have taken an Advanced Placement Examination of the CEEB may receive course credit with a score of 3, 4 or 5. Scores must be received directly from CEEB before credit is awarded.

English AP Recommendation:

Exam	Score	Credit Hours/Equivalency
English-Language and Composition	4 or 5	6 credit hrs/ENG 101, ENG 100 AA, AC, AD eligible for Honors ENG 102
English-Literature and Composition	4 or 5	6 credit hrs/ENG 101 ENH 110 eligible for Honors ENG 102

Math AP Recommendation:

Exam	Score	Credit for Course
Math-Calculus AB	3, 4 or 5	MAT 220 or MAT 221
Math-Calculus BC	3	MAT 220 or MAT 221
Math-Calculus BC	4 or 5	MAT 220 or MAT 221, and MAT 230 or MAT 231 upon completion of MAT 241
Computer Science A and AB	4 or 5	CSC 100

 

2. College Level Examination Program

The Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit to individuals who have received a score of 500 or more for the 1986 version of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General Examinations (610 on the 1978 version) and who meet or exceed the American Council on Education (ACE) recommended scores for awarding credit on the CLEP subject examinations. The ACE credit-granting score recommendation will be 50 (on the 20-80 scale) for all CLEP computer-based exams beginning July 1, 2001.

Credit received through CLEP is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges, but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities.

Rio Salado College and Paradise Valley Community College are national CLEP test sites. For more information on registering for the CLEP examinations, contact Rio Salado College or Paradise Valley Community College.

English Composition:
Students pursuing credit for ENG 101 must take the English Composition with Essay. The Maricopa Community Colleges do not award credit for ENG 102 through CLEP examination.

Foreign Languages:
Credit earned through CLEP examination for French, German, and Spanish meets the language proficiency requirements of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

For CLEP examinations taken prior to July 1, 2001, the Maricopa Community Colleges will grant credit based on the scaled scores indicated below:

Course	Spanish	French	German	Credit
101	50-54	50-54	39-45	4 (101)
102	55-65	55-61	46-50	8 (101, 102)
201	66-67	62-65	51-59	12 (101, 102, 201)
202	68-80	66-80	60-80	16 (101, 102, 201, 202)

At the discretion of the individual college, an oral exam at the 202 level may be administered.

3. Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support Examination Program

The Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit for the Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) Examination Program to individuals who meet or exceed the ACE recommended scores for awarding credit on the DANTES subject examinations. The Maricopa Community Colleges do not award credit for ENG 102 through DANTES examination. Credit received through DANTES is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges, but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities.

The Assessment Center at Rio Salado College is a national test site. For additional information on registering for DANTES examinations, call (480) 517-8560.

4. American College Testing Proficiency Examination Program

The Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit for the American College Testing Proficiency Examination Program (ACT-PEP) based on the scores earned.

5. Departmental Credit By Examination

Students may apply for Departmental Credit By Examination in certain courses by obtaining the appropriate form in the Office of Admissions and Records, paying the required fee, and completing the examination and other requirements of the college. See fee schedule for appropriate fees. Fees are not refundable if a student fails to obtain credit.

Students may not request:

a. to challenge a course a second time;
b. to challenge a course while currently enrolled in the course;
c. to establish credit in a previously completed course; and
d. to establish credit for a lower level of a course in which credit has been received. Exceptions may be granted at some MCCCD colleges for their unique programs of study.

Certain departments may have additional requirements which must be met before credit may be granted through departmental credit by examination.

Only grades of A, B, C, D, or P earned as a result of this examination will be recorded on the student's transcript. Fees are not refundable after the examination has been administered, regardless of results.

When credit is granted as outlined above, a notation of "credit by examination," a grade and the number of credits will appear on the student's transcript. The grade is used in computing the grade point average.

6. International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate

Students who present an International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate may qualify for college credit. Maricopa Community Colleges grant credit for college-level courses only. A grade of 5 qualifies a student to receive credit for one introductory course. No credit is awarded for English B (English as a Second Language). Credit is awarded according to the "International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate Credit" table.

C. Health Care Integrated Educational System (HCIES) Credit for Prior Learning

National/Regional Credential Recognition
Students who have recognized credentials related to health care may request an evaluation for course competency equivalence on a case-by-case basis through the Integrated Competency Assessment Network (ICAN). For more information contact the ICAN office at (480) 731-8924 or by email at ican@domail.maricopa.edu. Website: http://healthcare.maricopa.edu/ican2.html When national or regional credentials are determined to be equivalent to the competencies demonstrated in corresponding courses, the recognition of external credentials will fulfill graduation credit requirements for the identified courses through Credit by Evaluation.

Credit by Examination and Credit by Skills Demonstration Assessment
Health care students may apply for credit for prior learning in certain courses. Information and forms can be found at http://healthcare.maricopa.edu/ican1.htm. Credit by Examination in the HCIES is determined through the use of HCIES Competency Assessment Tests (CATs) and/or Skills Demonstration Assessment under the direction of the HCIES Integrated Competency Assessment Network (I CAN). Students may apply for HCIES Health Care Pathway/Program Advanced Placement in certain courses by obtaining the appropriate form(s) in the Office of Admissions and Records, paying the required fee(s), and successfully completing the examination and/or skills demonstration and other requirements of the college. See fee schedule for appropriate fee. Fees are not refundable if a student fails to obtain credit.

Students may not request:
a. to challenge a course a second time;
b. to challenge a course while currently enrolled in the course;
c. to establish credit in a previously completed course; or
d. to establish credit for a lower level of a course in which credit has been received.

Certain health care pathways/programs have additional requirements which must be met before credit may be granted through HCIES credit by examination and credit by skills demonstration assessment.

Grades of A, B, C, D or P, earned as a result of examination or skills assessment will be recorded on the student's transcript. Fees are not refundable after the examination/skills demonstration has been administered, regardless of results. A grade of P/Z is not used in computing the grade point average.

When credit is granted as outlined above, a notation of "CREDIT BY EXAMINATION," "CREDIT BY EVALUATION," or "CREDIT BY SKILLS DEMONSTRATION" and the number of credits will appear on the student's transcript. If a grade is assigned, it will be used used in computing the grade point average.

D. Transfer Credit

Students who have had official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records from regionally accredited institutions of higher education may be granted credit for college-level courses in which a C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher grade has been received; but credits accepted in transfer do not necessarily apply to all certificate or degree programs. Regionally accredited institutions of higher education are those that are fully accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and/or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Credits from institutions with candidate status from one of the above regional accrediting associations will be reviewed for transferability by a college committee.

Credits from foreign institutions will be reviewed for acceptance. It is the student's responsibility to have all such transcripts translated into English and evaluated by an International Student Evaluation Service before submitting them to the college.

E. Servicemen's Opportunity College

The Maricopa Community Colleges recognize the unique educational problems confronting many active duty military personnel in attaining their educational goals. The colleges have, therefore, established themselves as Servicemen's Opportunity Colleges. This means that the colleges recognize the peculiar needs of military personnel in that they provide courses on the various military bases located in Maricopa County and provide opportunities to complete courses through non-traditional means when education is interrupted by military obligations. Maricopa Community Colleges maintain liberal entrance requirements, offer maximum credit for educational experiences obtained in the Military Services, and follow residency statutes applicable to the special needs of servicemen. Maricopa Community Colleges follow the recommendations established by the American Council on Education. If, for any reason, Maricopa Community Colleges' status as a Servicemen's Opportunity College District is discontinued, it will nonetheless maintain its commitment to students previously enrolled. In addition, the option to enter into a "contract for a degree" allows the community college, as the college of record, to grant a degree upon completion of twelve (12) credit hours at the college and the satisfaction of graduation requirements.

F. Transfer Articulation Guidelines (Appendix S-2)

Transfer Articulation with Secondary Institutions, the Maricopa Skills Center, and the Southwest Skill Center
Students who have participated in programs articulated with Maricopa Community Colleges District programs may be granted credit for prior learning as provided for in the respective articulation agreements. No fees will be assessed for credits for prior learning granted through articulation. Articulated program credit is transferable within MCCD, but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges or universities. For proper placement in an articulated program, students should obtain a program of study from an academic advisor. Once the course requirements are completed, students must provide the valid documentation of articulated credits to the Office of Admissions and Records to place credits on their academic record.

Transfer Articulation from Arizona Public Community College Districts and Universities into the Maricopa Community Colleges
Any course that meets general education requirements at any Arizona public community college district or university will be accepted in transfer to meet comparable general education requirements at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges provided the courses were completed with a grade of C or better. Acceptance of courses other than general education requirements is determined by individual Maricopa Community Colleges.

A student transcript with the completed block of courses included in the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC-A, AGEC-B, or AGEC-S) will transfer as a block and fulfill the requirements for the corresponding AGEC at the Maricopa Community Colleges.

Maricopa Community Colleges Transfer Associate Degrees
The Maricopa Community Colleges offers three transfer Associate degrees: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Business (ABUS), and Associate in Science (AS). Each degree articulates with specific majors offered by Arizona's public universities. In addition, the degrees are recognized and transfer based on articulation agreements with several other baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. The three transfer Associate degrees transfer as a "block" and include groups or blocks of courses, e.g. the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC), and the Common Lower-Division Courses. Completed blocks are treated as whole; the components are not examined separately to determine transferability. All credits are accepted and applied toward the designated/appropriate baccalaureate degree.

The Maricopa Community Colleges also offer Associate in Transfer Partnership (ATP) Degrees for specific majors at identified public and universities. These degrees may not be available at all of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Maricopa's Associate degrees are accessible on the web at http://www.maricopa.edu/academic/ccta/cirric/cphb/hb_academic.php - select Matrix of MCCCD Courses.

Transfer Articulation from the Maricopa Community Colleges to Baccalaureate Degree-Granting Institutions
The Maricopa Community Colleges have transfer articulation agreements with private, public and international baccalaureate degree-granting institutions that have achieved full accreditation or candidacy status with a regional accreditation commission such as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Maricopa Community Colleges transfer articulation agreements are on behalf of the district as a whole and not with individual colleges within the district. Courses taken at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges are equally transferable by institutions wishing to enter into an articulation agreement. Additionally, the articulation agreements require that all Associate Degrees awarded by Maricopa will transfer to participating institutions as a block. As mentioned above, these blocks transfer as a whole.

Transfer Options for Maricopa Community Colleges Associate in Applied Science Degrees
The Maricopa Community Colleges Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees are recommended for students who want to gain a depth of technical expertise leading to employment through the completion of an occupational program. Some students may want to pursue a baccalaureate degree as well. The AAS degrees transfer as a "block" to the Bachelor of Applied Science at Arizona State University (East and West), and Northern Arizona University.

Course Acceptability and Applicability
Transfer articulation to Arizona's public baccalaureate degree-granting institutions is communicated in terms of "acceptability" and "applicability" of community college courses and programs.

To determine "acceptability" of Maricopa Community Colleges courses, refer to the Course Equivalency Guide (CEG) on the Arizona Courses Applicability System (AZCAS). The AZCAS CEG is online at http://www.az.transfer.org/cas/. Effective Fall 2000, the course evaluation and/or the general education designation as listed in AZCAS is valid for the term in which credits are earned and appear on the transcript. A course evaluation and/or university general education designation may be subject to change. Given that curriculum is dynamic at both the Maricopa Community Colleges and the institutions to which Maricopa Community College students transfer, students have the option to petition for equivalencies and/or general education designations.

To determine "applicability" of Maricopa Community Colleges courses and transfer associate degrees to university-specific degree requirements, refer to the Maricopa Community Colleges' Associate in Transfer Partnership degrees, the AZCAS Transfer Planning Aids, or the university transfer guides, described below.

University Transfer Guides
Each of Arizona's public universities have developed University Transfer Guides to show how Maricopa Community College courses apply to specific baccalaureate degree requirements. The transfer guides are useful both for students pursuing Associate in Transfer Partnership Degrees, as well as for students who want to transfer to Arizona's public universities to pursue degrees for which the Maricopa Community Colleges do not have Associate in Transfer Partnership Degrees. University Transfer Guides are accessible at the following web sites:

Arizona State University Main or
Arizona State University east campus
http://www.asu.edu/provost/articulation/

Arizona State University west campus
http://www.west.asu.edu/tranguid/

Northern Arizona University
http://www4.nau.edu/aio/articulation/tginfo.htm

University of Arizona
http://transferguides.arizona.edu

Arizona Course Applicability System (AZCAS) Transfer Planning Guides
A student may enter community college or university coursework into AZCAS to create a Transfer Planning Guide. The guide evaluates progress toward completing a community college transfer certificate, transfer degree, and/or an Arizona public university degree and assists students in selecting additional course work that meets the academic program requirements. The transfer planning guides are accessible at the following web site: http://www.az.transfer.org/cas/

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