IX. Transfer Credits and Prior Learning Credit

A. Transfer Credits

Students who have completed courses at another institution may submit their transcripts to have them evaluated for transfer credit.

• Transfer credit is only considered for courses taken at regionally accredited institutions or for international transcripts that have been translated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) credential evaluator.
• Transfer credit will only be awarded for courses completed with a grade of “C” or higher that apply to the student’s current degree, certificate, or microcredential program. If the student’s program requires grades higher than a “C,” transfer credit will only be awarded for courses that meet the program’s minimum requirements.
• If a non-matriculated student submits a transcript for evaluation, the Office of Registration & Records will hold the transcript until the student is matriculated or accepted to a microcredential.
• If a student changes their program of study, the Office of Registration & Records will re-evaluate the student’s transcript. Any additional applicable credits will be awarded, and non-applicable credits will be removed.
• Transfer credits will appear on the student’s record with a grade of TR, which does not factor into the GPA. Because of this, transfer credit will not be awarded for any course that the student has already successfully completed or is currently taking.
  • Transfer credit may be awarded for a course the student previously failed. The transfer credit will fulfill the student’s program requirements but will not replace the failed course in the student’s GPA.
• If transfer credit can be awarded for a course the student is registered for but hasn’t started yet, the student and their Navigator will be notified to drop the pre-registered course. Failure to drop the pre-registered course may negatively impact the student’s financial aid.
  • The student should speak with their Navigator if they wish to earn transfer credit for a class in progress.
• To submit a transcript for evaluation, students should have official copies of their transcripts sent to Onondaga Community College at transfereval@sunyocc.edu.

B. Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is an opportunity for students to earn credit for courses based on an assessment of their experiences outside of a traditional classroom.

• CPL will only be awarded for courses that apply to the student’s current degree, certificate, or microcredential program, with the exception of Workforce courses/programs taken at OCC.
• CPL credits will appear on the student’s record with a grade of TR, which does not factor into the GPA. Because of this, CPL will not be awarded for any course that the student has already successfully completed or is currently taking.
  • CPL may be awarded for a course the student previously failed. The credits will fulfill the student’s program requirements but will not replace the failed course in the student’s GPA.
• If CPL can be awarded for a course the student is registered for but hasn’t started yet, the student and their Navigator will be notified to drop the pre-registered course. Failure to drop the pre-registered course may negatively impact the student’s financial aid.
  • The student should speak with their Navigator if they wish to earn CPL for a class in progress.
• All credit for CPL is awarded at the discretion of the faculty. Current equivalencies can be found on our CPL website.

Types of CPL

There are several different types of CPL for which OCC may award credit. These include:

• Credit for a License or Certification
  • Students wishing to earn credit for a license or certification, including those not listed on the CPL website, should submit a “Credit for Prior Learning Request” form, select “External License or Certification,” and supply any required documentation.
  • If the student’s credential does not already have an established equivalency, it will be subject to approval by the department faculty before credit is awarded.
     
• OCC Workforce Programs and Stackable Credits
  • Successful completion of certain non-credit Workforce programs at OCC may result in credit towards degree or certificate programs.
  • Credits will automatically be applied to the student’s record upon successful completion of the Workforce course/program.
     
• OCC Departmental Exams
  • Some departments may award credit upon the successful completion of an exam. Each department will determine the minimum standards for successful completion.
  • Students interested in completing a department exam should submit a “Credit for Prior Learning Request” form and select “Department Exam.” Someone from the department will reach out to the student to schedule the exam.
  • Departmental exams are only available for the courses listed on the CPL website.
  • Students are charged for departmental exams, even if they do not earn credits. Costs may change; students should refer to the Tuition & Fees website for the current fees.
     
• Standardized Exams
  • OCC awards credit based on scores for the following standardized exams:
    • Advanced Placement (AP) – requires a minimum score of 3.
    • College Level Examination Program (CLEP) – requires a minimum score of 50.
    • International Baccalaureate (IB) – courses must have the HL designation with a minimum score of 4.
  • Credit is not awarded for all exams. Students should refer to the chart available on the CPL website to see the current equivalencies.
  • Students wishing to earn credit for a standardized exam should have their official transcript or score report sent to the Office of Registration and Records at transfereval@sunyocc.edu.
     
• Military Credits
  • Students may be eligible to earn credit for military experience as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).
  • Students seeking credit for military experience should request their official transcripts through Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Air University and have them sent to the Office of Registration & Records at transfereval@sunyocc.edu.
     
• Portfolio, Professional Experience, and Proficiency
  • Students may have experience that doesn’t fit into the types of CPL listed above. In this case, students may request an individual review of their portfolio, resume, credentials, or other experience.
  • Required materials and method of assessment will be determined by the faculty and will vary by course. Methods of assessment may include things like presentations, interviews, written work, demonstrations, and more. Faculty must document that the student’s experience aligns with the learning outcomes of the course(s) being reviewed.
  • To request a review, students must submit a “Credit for Prior Learning Request” form and select “Review of my resume, portfolio, or other experience.”
• Students are charged for these reviews, even if they do not earn credits. Costs may change; students should refer to the Tuition & Fees website for the current fees.