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Policy Number: I-15
Last Reviewed:  December 10, 2020
Responsible Dept.: Dean of Student Services/Registar

A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.

Virginia Western accepts credit for transfer, experiential learning, credit by examination, advanced placement, military training and professional certificates that is consistent with our mission.

  • Transfer credit is defined as credits transferring from another post-secondary institution. Students must submit original transcripts from the post-secondary institution to receive credit.
  • Experiential learning credit is college-level learning that occurs in settings other than the traditional classroom and is granted to students who can demonstrate the academic merit of such experiences. Students possessing a certificate in defined areas may be granted credit by providing documented successful completion of certificate.
  • Credit by examination may be provided in disciplines where no College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Advanced Placement (AP) exam is accepted by Virginia Western. Locally developed department “challenge” exams may be a means of earning college credit for prior learning by demonstrating satisfactory academic competency in a particular subject.
  • Virginia Western offers a selection of national standardized exams, Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), which offer students the opportunity to obtain college credit for prior learning. Minimum scores are outlined in the College Credit through Advanced Standing brochure. College credit may be awarded for those exams for which Virginia Western Community College has determined specific equivalents.
  • Military training, courses and occupational specialty can be considered for college credit. Virginia Western follows the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in determining the value of learning acquired in military service.

Procedures for awarding above defined credit are outlined in College Credit through Advanced Standing brochure. The procedures are reviewed annually and are available in hard copy and on the college website.