Non-Traditional Credit (External Credit)
A student enrolled in an associate degree or certificate program may request to take up to three elective credits by the Pass/Fail option. These credits will be exclusive of any transfer credits or external credits. A student may choose to take additional courses using the Pass/Fail option, but any credits beyond the three credit maximum may not be used to meet graduation requirements.
A student may use credits earned through non-traditional learning experiences toward most degree programs offered by the College. The maximum number of non-traditional credits that may be counted toward graduation depends upon the particular program of study and the type of non-traditional credit. In all cases, no more than 15 credit hours earned through non-traditional means may be counted toward the general education requirements of the Associate in Arts degree. In all cases, no more than nine credit hours earned through non-traditional means may be counted toward the general education requirements of the Associate in Science degree.
Non-traditional credit earned will not appear on an official Pensacola State College transcript until a minimum of 15 credit hours of Pensacola State College course work has been earned. A student receiving financial aid should consult with a representative in the Financial Aid Office regarding non-traditional credit as it pertains to eligibility for financial assistance. A student receiving veteran benefits should consult with a representative of the Veteran Services Office regarding non-traditional credit as it pertains to benefit eligibility. Credit hours earned through non-traditional means will not be posted to the record with a letter grade. No quality points are attached to the course and the credits neither improve nor decrease the cumulative grade point average.
Departmental Exemption Exams
A student may challenge the content of certain courses and earn credit upon the successful completion of a departmental proficiency examination. A student must follow the procedure below.
- Obtain approval from the appropriate Department Head, the College Registrar, or a designee, and pay the predetermined exemption examination fee at any cashier’s office. Registration in the course is not required. The exam fee is non-refundable. A student who is not registered in the course may take the departmental exemption exam at any time.
- Obtain approval from the appropriate Department Head and the College Registrar, and pay the exam fee if a student registers for the course. The examination must be taken no later than the end of the third week of a class for a fall or spring semester and no later than the second week of class for a summer semester. If a student passes the examination, registration in the course will be cancelled, and the student will receive a refund of fees paid for the course. The exam fee is non-refundable.
- The student must be currently enrolled in a credit course at the College other than the one being challenged or must have completed prior credit coursework at Pensacola State College.
- The student must not have taken the exemption examination for the course at any previous time.
- The student must not have earned a grade in the course through work at Pensacola State College or through transfer credit. A student may not use the exemption examination option to raise a grade of D or F.
Military Credit
Active duty service members and retired military personnel may request a review of military experiences for possible credit. An official copy of military service school training should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for possible credit. Credits for military experiences will be granted according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) as published in the latest editions of The Guide to the Evaluation of Education in the Armed Services. Information regarding points of contact are provided in the table below.
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Branch of Military
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Contact for Documentation
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Navy
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https://jst.doded.mil
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Marine Corps
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https://jst.doded.mil
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Army
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https://jst.doded.mil
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Air Force
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Community College of the Air Force at
www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf
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Reservists and National Guard
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Contact the Military Education Officer for the DD295; the DD295 must be certified by an authorized commissioned officer and sent directly to the Pensacola State College Records Office.
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Retired Military
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Copies of the retired service member’s DD214 will be accepted.
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Advanced Placement (AP)
Credit is awarded to a student who has earned a score of 3 or higher on a high school AP exam after completion of an AP course. The State Department of Education determines credit awarded. Official score reports are to be sent to the Records Office directly from College Board.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP exams are administered to anyone who wishes to document knowledge in a specific subject area. Those who wish to register for CLEP exams should contact the Pensacola Campus Test Center for dates and costs. The State Department of Education determines credit awarded. Official score reports are to be sent to the Records Office.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Credit is awarded to a student who has completed courses in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in high school. The State Department of Education determines credit. Official copies of the score report should be sent directly to the Records Office from the high school at which the student completed or attended the IB program.
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
DANTES exams are administered to military personnel to document educational achievement. Test results must be sent directly to the College from DANTES. The State Department of Education determines credit awarded.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
A student may earn credit for knowledge and skills gained outside the traditional classroom. On-the-job training, travel experiences, self-study, apprenticeship, and other similar life experiences may be translated into equivalent college or vocational credit. Only training and experiences in areas corresponding credit directly to Pensacola State College coursework will qualify for PLA credit; PLA credit will not be awarded for skills and experiences in areas not taught currently at the College. PLA credits awarded will be based on a portfolio review and will appear on the official Pensacola State College transcript in the same manner as other external credits. In all cases, no more than 25% of the student’s degree may be earned through PLA credits. Additional restrictions may apply to certain programs and courses. Questions and concerns regarding the Prior Learning Assessment process should be directed to the Office of the Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs at (850) 484-1706.