Academic Information
Prior Experiental Learning
Students may meet up to 30 credits of degree program requirements with credits earned through Prior Experiential Learning and/or credits transferred from another accredited college or university. For more information on the Prior Experiential Learning (PEL) process, contact the PEL administrator at ext. 3043 or the department chair, program coordinator, or divisional dean for the discipline in which you seek PEL credit. Each of these individuals, or a faculty or professional staff member, may serve as a PEL advisor.
There are three PEL Options: Credit by Examination, Credit by Credential, and Credit by Experience.
Credit by Examination
College Level Examination Program and Advanced Placement Program
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) Program offer students an opportunity to receive college credit for subject matter learned through means other than formal college work. The CLEP Subject Matter, CLEP General, and AP Examinations are applicable for credit. Students may obtain information regarding CLEP and AP examinations through the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Bridgewater State College is a CLEP examination center. Official AP and CLEP score reports must be sent to the Office of Admission in order to be evaluated for credit..Credit by department/program examination
A student may receive credit for some BCC courses by passing a comprehensive examination prepared by the department or program in which the course is being offered. Any student who has been formally accepted into a degree program at Bristol Community College and has completed the course prerequisites or received permission from the program director/department chairperson may take the examinations. Students must request these exams if they want to take them.Credit granted for comprehensive examinations will not have a letter grade assigned. The credit earned cannot by used to raise grades or remove failures in courses already taken.
Students must meet department criteria in the taking of these exams. They are responsible to discuss these criteria with the department chair or program director. Arrangements and registration for credit by examination must be made through the appropriate PEL advisor, department chair, program coordinator or divisional assistant dean. Additional information concerning the complete credit-by-examination policy and fees can be obtained by contacting the Enrollment Services office or the PEL Administrator at x3043
Credit by Evaluation
Students may earn equivalent course credit for prior experiences, including instruction sponsored by the military, business and industry, public and private agencies, associations and educational institutions, and licensure preparation by regulatory agencies and associations.National Guides
Credit for non-collegiate courses and educational experiences in the armed services may be awarded according to the recommendations in the National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-collegiate Courses, the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, the Directory of the National Program of Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI), and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs of the American Council on Education. A student who submits official documentation attesting to the completion of a course(s) listed in one of these publications will be awarded appropriate elective credit by the Dean of Admissions or the Registrar. If the credit award involves course equivalent credit, approval of the appropriate divisional assistant dean and department chairperson is required.Credit by Credential Programs Approved by BCC
Students may earn course credit for programs listed in the PEL Manual, available in the Enrollment Center, all division offices, and in the main office at the New Bedford campus and the Attleboro Center. Equivalent course credit(s) may be granted for Credit by Credential programs in fields such as computer technology and programming, manufacturing methods and processes, electronics, public speaking, income tax preparation, health care, management, fire fighting, and environmental technology. Contact the Prior Experiential Learning Administrator for information.The Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP), an Amendment to section 18L of chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws, delegated to the Board of Higher Education (BHE) the authority to establish guidelines for programs pursued for police career incentive pay increases.
The BHE has subsequently adopted new standards which DO NOT allow for:
- Academic credit to be granted for life experience or military, police academy, or other training;
- Academic credit for knowledge-based testing (CLEP, DANTES, etc.) to exceed 6 credit hours or;
- Tech-prep
Credit by Experience
In order to obtain an award of Credit by Experience, students present a written portfolio documenting college-level competencies acquired through educational, vocational, or personal experiences. The Prior Experiential Learning Coordinator initially evaluates the portfolio to determine comparability to required or elective courses in the student’s program of study. All credit is evaluated on a course-by-course basis and must be approved by the department chair/program director in consultation with the assistant dean of the appropriate division and the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. Contact the Prior Experiential Learning Administrator or the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or divisional assistant dean for information.