Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) can help you earn your degree faster while saving tuition dollars!
Lower Columbia College awards credit for prior learning through work and life experience, formal and informal education, and training from in-state, out-of-state and foreign institutions.
Academic Credit for Prior Learning is available to anyone who has knowledge and experience in a particular area that can be aligned with a specific class offered at LCC. Examples include: work and life experience, formal and informal education, training from in-state, out-of-state and foreign institutions, and military service.
Get Started with Academic Credit for Prior Learning
In general, the process for earning non-traditional credits consists of completing an application form, showing mastery of course objectives, and being evaluated by faculty. Upon approval, credits are added to your transcript.
You must also be a current or former student at Lower Columbia College.
Types of Academic Credit for Prior Learning Include:
Portfolio Review
A student may request to have a Portfolio Review, performed by faculty, and based on prior education or work experience. Courses and credits earned through Portfolio Review are not included in the student's grade point average. Portfolio Review courses may be used to satisfy any graduation requirement but may not be accepted as part of the 24 required credits in residence. The student must pay the required fees after assessment has occurred. Transferability of Portfolio Review courses is determined by the receiving institution. There is a $75 Portfolio Review fee and a $30 per credit transcription fee.
Course Challenge
A student may request to challenge a course if he or she has previously taken courses and established a transcript record at LCC and believes that previous experience has provided the competencies essential for passing the course to be challenged. The student must enroll in the course and pay the required fees. Some courses may not be challenged. Courses and grades resulting from the challenge process will be posted to the student's transcript record at the end of the quarter during which the exam is taken. There is a $75 Course Challenge fee and a $30 per credit transcription fee.
Credit for Professional Certificates or Training (Occupational Crosswalk)
A student may request to receive credit for specific industry training and certifications that have been pre-assessed by faculty for alignment with specific classes offered at LCC. Credit granted for professional certificates or training may be used to satisfy any graduation requirement but may not be accepted as part of the 24 required credits in residence. The student must pay the required fees after assessment has occurred. Transferability of credit granted by this method is determined by the receiving institution. More information about specific programs, certificates and courses. There is a $30 per credit transcription fee for credit awarded via Ocupational Crosswalk.
Alternative Options
These options may require different assessment before being awarded. Please click the link above for details on:
- Advanced Placement (AP) - General Examination
- Cambridge (CI)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Foreign Transcript Credit
- International Baccalaureate Credit
- Military Service Experience