Credit for Prior Learning

Advanced Standing for prior learning is earning credit for what you already know: Southwest Virginia Community College supports awarding college credit for prior learning assessment (PLA). This learning typically takes place outside of the traditional classroom through work experience or other methods.  Students may consider options from the following list that the College offers to accelerate their degree pursuits.

Find out if you can get credit for what you know!   Request a prior learning assessment.
Dionne Cook, Director of Admissions
Phone: 276-964-7301
Email: dionne.cook@sw.edu
Office: Dellinger Hall Room DE-100

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Options

• Advanced Placement (AP) exams
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) administered by The College Board
• Challenge exams offered by the College
• Military occupation/experience
• Workforce certifications or licensure
• Non-Credit Workforce Solutions Training Certification/Credential (see crosswalk in this section)

Process: Students must earn and complete 25% of their program requirements at SWCC. Prior learning credits or transfer courses from another institution do not count toward this 25% requirement. To qualify for PLA credits, you must be enrolled at SWCC with a declared major.

Assignment of credit: No grade will be reflected on the student’s transcript for PLA credits and all awards will be assigned a “T” and not calculated as a part of the student’s grade point average (GPA).  All decisions for acceptance of PLA credits are the responsibility of the College.

Types of PLA Credit Available

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: AP exams are offered by the College Board to high school students attending classes with college-level curricula. Scores accepted at SWCC are a part of this section.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): The CLEP measures how much you know about academic subjects. You may earn college credit by taking this test and receiving a satisfactory score in the subject area. A list of subjects and scores required are a part of this section. Thousands of colleges and universities accept CLEP test scores, which are administered by the College Board.

Challenge Exams: Challenge exams are offered by faculty in selected courses and are provided, developed, and scored by college faculty.  Students should consult the Dean in the division offering the course to be challenged to determine availability.  Some courses/faculty do not offer challenge exams.

Military Occupation or Experience: Credit is offered by all of Virginia’s community colleges for current and prior military experience and training.  Active military personnel and veterans can evaluate how many credits they have already earned toward a degree by having an original joint service transcript available for upload to the Credits2Careers website. Current and former members of the Air Force must utilize transcripts from the Community College of the Air Force.

Workforce Certifications or Licensure: Certain IT certifications, National Board Licensure Examinations, and other Health Care Licensure may qualify for college credit.  Students holding these qualifications should contact the division Dean.

Non-Credit Workforce Solutions Training Certification/Credential: Students should examine the Workforce Solutions Training Certification/Credential crosswalk that is a part of this section to determine potential credit awards.

Non-Traditional Credit by Experience:  A request must be submitted to the Dean of the division where the requested course is housed.  This credit must be evaluated by faculty in the course discipline and approved by the Dean.  No credit by experience or non-traditional credit will be approved until the student has completed a minimum of 12 credits at SWCC in his/her declared major.  Application for these credits must be submitted on the Non-Traditional Credit form.

Students seeking advanced placement in college-level courses using AP examination scores must follow this procedure:

AP scores are sent to the Admissions Office by the College Board to be evaluated according to the accepted College policy. The Admissions Office will forward to Division Deans, as required, copies of AP scores of students receiving credit and/or those needing further assistance. The Admissions Office will award credit and arrange placement on the student’s college transcript.