As an adult student, you have gathered experiences, knowledge, and skills during your life and work experiences. RCTC honors your learning outside the classroom and has processes to help identify and document this learning and to grant college credits. Prior Learning is a way to reduce tuition costs and can shorten the time it takes students to earn a college certificate, diploma, or degree.
Our average student applying for prior learning earns six (6) credits, with many earning 12 or more.
Are you interested in earning credit for prior learning? Check out the options below and contact your academic advisor to complete the process via AdvisorVue.
- Required: I am a fully admitted student to RCTC. If you're not, Apply to RCTC.
- Have I had two(2) or more years of experience in the field related to the subject area?
- Have I held a formal or informal leadership role in my work/volunteer experiences?
- Can I demonstrate the knowledge gained from my work/volunteer experiences?
- Did I participate in several community or volunteer experiences related to the subject area?
- Have I reviewed and understand the learning outcomes for the course?
- Can I differentiate what I have learned from my life and work experiences and organize my learning in the framework of the course learning outcomes?
- Do I have documentation to support my learning such as a resume, letters from supervisors, licensure or certification documents, recorded presentations, examples of work, etc?
- Is the course required for my major?
- Did I serve in the armed forces?
- Do I plan to complete my certificate, diploma or degree at RCTC?
If you answered yes to most of the questions above, Credit for Prior Learning may be a good fit for you.
“Choosing to enroll and attain my college degree after being away for many years, I was able to complete some of the required classes quicker through the Credit for Prior Learning opportunity. I was able to use my previous and current work experience and AHDI certification to complete at least six of the required Administrative and Healthcare Office Professional Program courses by demonstrating I had the skills and experience needed to pass the classes through credit for prior learning.”–JU, RCTC Administrative/Executive Office Professional student
- Students must apply to RCTC and be accepted to apply for Credit for Prior Learning.
- Students must meet with their advisor to begin the Credit for Prior Learning process
- Students must document their experience fulfilling course competencies in order to earn Credit for Prior Learning credits for a course. The experience must have occurred outside of college coursework.
- Students will receive resident credits for approved credit by exam or credit by portfolio credit for prior learning options at RCTC.
- Credit for Prior Learning credits must be applicable to a student's current program, degree, or curriculum at RCTC.
- Grading methods for Credit for Prior Learning credit shall be consistent with current approved grading methods for the course.
- The Credit for Prior Learning fee is $85 per credit.
- Credits granted through prior learning are not eligible for financial aid or veteran's education assistance.
- Credits granted through prior learning will not count toward the enrollment of a specific term. These credit will not be counted in determining part-time or full-time status.
Options for Earning Credit for Prior Learning
You may already have the knowledge required to earn college credit at RCTC. Our Credit by Exam option allows students to take an end-of-term type exam to prove equivalent learning and knowledge. The exams may include written exams, speeches, proficiency tests or other types of exams based on the course and subject. If you pass your course-specific exam, you will earn credit for the course at RCTC.
Credit by Exam Guidelines:
- Students may not enroll in the course for which they plan to attempt a Credit by Exam.
- An exam may not be attempted for a course which the student has previously taken and earned a failed grade.
- Students are limited to one exam attempt per course. If not successful with a Credit by Exam, students must enroll in the course to earn credit.
- Credit by Exam counts toward RCTC residency requirements.
Process:
1) Student connects with advisor to discuss CPL courses available
2) After meeting with your advisor please reach out to the program/department faculty for approval
3) Faculty will submit form to the appropriate dean over that program
4) CTE Assistant emails the student instructions for registration
5) Student pays fee through e-Services or at the Cashier’s Office. The CPL fee is $85 per credit
6) Faculty member contacts student to discuss expectations for the CPL
7) After assessment is completed faculty assign grade in e-Services
The Portfolio option allows you to document the learning and knowledge you have gained during your life and work experiences. Most portfolios are written using the Learning Outcomes for the course as a guide. Learning Outcomes are available on the Common Course Outlines site.
In addition to writing about the learning and knowledge you gained outside the classroom and how it addresses the course Learning Outcomes, your portfolio should include documents (artifacts) demonstrating your knowledge and skills. Artifacts may include a resume, chronological autobiography, letters from supervisors and volunteer coordinators, recordings of presentations or speeches, meeting minutes, documentation of projects, and more.
Guidelines:
- Students may not enroll in the course for which they plan to attempt a Credit by Portfolio.
- A portfolio may not be attempted for a course which the student has previously taken and earned a failed grade.
- Students are limited to one portfolio submission per course. If not successful with a Credit by Portfolio, students must enroll in the course to earn credit.
- Credit by Portfolio counts toward RCTC residency requirements.
Process:
1) Student connects with advisor to discuss CPL courses available
2) After meeting with your advisor please reach out to the program/department faculty for approval
3) Faculty will submit form to the appropriate dean over that program
4) CTE Assistant emails the student instructions for registration
5) Student pays fee through e-Services or at the Cashier’s Office. The CPL fee is $85 per credit
6) Faculty member contacts student to discuss expectations for the CPL
7) After assessment is completed faculty assign grade in e-Services
The College Level Examination Program® (CLEP) provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. With CLEP, a student can earn college credit for what he or she already knows - regardless of where or how that knowledge was acquired - by passing a 90-minute multiple-choice examination. CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the United States, with more than 2,900 colleges and universities that award credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams. A passing score at one college may be different at another college. Some colleges may not accept CLEP. Original score reports must be submitted to each institution.
Guidelines:
- A student needs to take a minimum of 15 credits from RCTC in order to graduate with an AA or AS degree.
- CLEP credits are considered as transfer credits.
- The student can take up to 2/3 of their required degree, diploma or certificate credits using CLEP or other transfer credits.
- At least 1/3 of credits required for a degree diploma or certificate must be earned at RCTC to meet the residency requirement.
Process:
Students must submit official score reports from The College Board, with a passing score, to earn credit for the equivalent course. Official score reports are sent directly from the College Board to RCTC.
| CLEP SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS
Subject Exam tests assess specific knowledge and skills you may have gained through job experience, outside course work, or specialized independent reading. These exams require a higher degree of specialized knowledge and training. |
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| CLEP Exam Title | CLEP Score | Credits | RCTC Equivalent | MNTC Goal |
| American Government | 50 | 3 | POLS 1615 | 5 & 9 |
| American Literature | 50 | 6 | ENGL 2273 & 2274 | 6 & 7 |
| ENGL 2274 | 6 & 9 | |||
| Analyzing & Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL elective | 6 |
| Biology | 50 | 3 | BIOL elective | na |
| Calculus | 50 | 5 | MATH 1127 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 50 | 4 | CHEM elective | na |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | MATH 1115 | 4 |
| College Composition | 50 | 4 | ENGL 1117 | 1 |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | 4 | ENGL 1117 | 1 |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 3 | MATH 1111 | 4 |
| English Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL elective | 6 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 4 | ACCT 2217 | na |
| French Language Level 1 & 2 | 50 | 4 | FREN 1101 | 6 & 8 |
| French Language | 62 | 8 | FREN 1101 & 1102 | 6 & 8 |
| German Language Level 1 & 2 | 50 | 4 | Elective | 6 & 8 |
| German Language | 63 | 8 | Elective | 6 & 8 |
| History of the US I: Early Colonization - 1877 | 50 | 3 | HIST 1624 | 5 & 7 |
| History of the US II: 1865 - Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 1625 | 5 & 7 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | PSYC 2626 | 5 & 7 |
| Humanities | 50 | 3 | HUM elective | 6 |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | COMP elective | na |
| Intro Business Law | 50 | 3 | BUS 2210 | na |
| Intro to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSYC elective | 5 |
| Intro to Psychology | 50 | 4 | PSYC 2618 | 5 & 7 |
| Intro to Sociology | 50 | 3 | SOC 1614 | 5 & 7 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 3 | elective | na |
| Precalculus | 50 | 4 | MATH 1117 | 4 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 4 | ECON 2215 | 5 & 8 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | BUS 2232 | na |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | BUS 2201 | na |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 4 | ECON 2214 | 5 & 10 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 3 | HIST elective | 5 |
| Spanish Language Level 1 & 2 | 50 | 4 | SPAN 1101 | 8 |
| Spanish Language | 66 | 8 | SPAN 1101 & 1102 | 8 |
| West Civ I: Ancient Near East - 1648 | 50 | 3 | HIST 1613 | 5 & 8 |
| West Civ II: 1648 - Present | 50 | 3 | HIST 1614 | 5 & 8 |
| RCTC CREDITS FOR CLEP – GENERAL EXAMINATIONS
General Exam tests assess knowledge you have accumulated in broad subject areas of study. The tests are at the level of courses you would take your first year or two of college. |
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| CLEP Test Title | RCTC Course | Minimum Score | Semester Hours | MTNC Goal |
| Mathematics, College | Math | 50 | 3 | 4 |
| Humanities | Humanities | 50 | 3 | 6 |
| Natural Sciences | Elective | 50 | 3 | - |
| Social Sciences-History | History | 50 | 3 | 5 |
Date of Adoption: 5/14/2019
Entrance Examination Board offers Advanced Placement to high-school students for college-level courses in high schools. Students can earn college credits by demonstrating a specified level of performance on AP exams.
AP testing information can be found at www.collegeboard.org/AP
Process:
1) Students who wish to apply AP credits to a specific program of study or as general electives will present their official AP Score Report to the Records and Registration office to receive credit.
2) Earned credit will be posted as a transfer credit earned for the RCTC equivalent course.
Advanced Placement Exams
Exam Title |
AP Score | Credits | RCTC Equivalent |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ART 1110 |
| Studio Art: 2-D Design | 3 | 3 | ART 1121 |
| Studio Art: 3-D Design | 3 | 3 | ART 1124 |
| Studio Art: Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 1134 |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIOL 1220 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 5 | MATH 1127 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 10 | MATH 1127 & 1128 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHEM 1127 |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | CHEM 1127 & 1128 |
| Chinese Language & Culture | 3 | 3 | CHIN 1001 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | elective |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 4 | ECON 2215 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 4 | ECON 2214 |
| English Language + Composition | 3 | 4 | ENGL 1117 |
| English Literature + Composition | 3 | 8 | ENGL 1117 & 1118 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | elective |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIST 1614 |
| French Language + Culture | 3 | 4 | FREN 1102 |
| Government & Politics: Comparative | 3 | 3 | elective |
| Government & Politics: United States | 3 | 3 | POLS 1615 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEOG 1614 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUSC 1001 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 5 | PHYS 1117 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 5 | PHYS 1118 |
| Physics C Electricity & Magnetism | 3 | 5 | PHYS 1127 |
| Physics C Mechanics | 3 | 5 | PHYS 1128 |
| Psychology | 4 | 4 | PSYC 2618 |
| Spanish Language + Culture | 3 | 4 | SPAN 1102 |
| Spanish Literature + Culture | 3 | 3 | elective |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | MATH 2208 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIST 1624 & 1625 |
| World History | 3 | 6 | HIST 1617 & 1618 |
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is internationally recognized in which students complete curriculum and demonstrate learned outcomes through IB assessments.
Students successfully completing an IB Diploma are awarded 6 credits (lower division) for scores of 4 or higher on Higher Level exams, and 2 credits (lower division) for scores of 4 or higher on Standard Level examinations.
Students successfully completing individual IB examinations (but not the complete Diploma) for scores of 4 or higher shall receive 3 or more credits on Higher Level exams, and 2 credits or more credits for scores of 4 or higher on Standard Level examinations.
Process:
1) Students who wish to apply IB credits to a specific program of study or as general electives will present their official IB Score Report to the Records and Registration office to receive credit.
2) Earned credit will be posted as a transfer credit earned for the RCTC equivalent course.
The DANTES program supports the voluntary educational program for active military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserves and are available for civilians as well to be used at universities and colleges. The DANTES (DSST) is a series of exams that can be taken to earn college credit for knowledge learned elsewhere other than a traditional classroom. The subject areas may include business, humanities, math, physical science, social science, and technology. All tests carry ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendations. Rochester Community and Technical College will honor the ACE recommendation and accept courses applicable to a program or course of study.
Process:
Students must submit official transcript from DANTES, with a passing score, to earn credit for the equivalent course. Additional information can be found at: .
Rochester Community and Technical College’s policy for Minnesota Articulated College Credit is designed to recognize a student’s successful completion of a specific course at the participating high school that is identified as equivalent to its RCTC counterpart. High school students who demonstrate they have mastered specific course competencies at the high school level may access an Articulated College Credit Certificate that will be used to acknowledge their competence in the course. Students will have the opportunity to apply credits earned through Articulated College Credit Certificate to a specific program of study or to general electives at Rochester Community and Technical College.
Guidelines:
- The student must earn no less than a B at their high school for the final grade for a specific course.
- The student must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade to receive the Articulated College Credit Certificate.
- The student must enroll at Rochester Community and Technical College within two years of high school graduation.
- Advanced Standing Certificates are available in a number of areas. Please contact the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator for a complete list or go to ctecreditmn.com.
- Articulated College Credit Certificates may be used only in completing requirements for a specified program of study or as general electives.
- A maximum of 12 semester credits earned through Articulated College Credit Certificates may be applied to any certificate, diploma or degree.
Process:
1) Students who wish to apply Articulated College Credit Certificates to a specific program of study or as general electives will present their Articulated College Credit Certificate(s) to the Records and Registration office to receive credit.
2) Earned credit will be posted as a transfer credit earned for the RCTC equivalent course.
RCTC’s community is dedicated to providing services and information to support Veteran’s and their families’ educational goals. Credit is awarded as it is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) in accordance with Minnesota Statutes §197.775, Subdivision 2, Recognition of Courses.
The ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services will be used as the evaluation tool. For further information see A Transfer Guide: Understanding Your Military Transcript and ACE Credit Recommendations at www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online.aspx
To see how your military training may apply at RCTC, visit the Veterans Education Transfer System (VETS) site at www.minnstate.edu/college-search/public/military.
RCTC will consider prior learning attained in non-credit or experiential settings such as the military. Credit will be awarded for prior learning that is assessed as college-level learning as it applies to your chosen program and degree.