Credit for Prior Learning

Curriculum credit may be awarded to students when prior learning through certification, exams, and similar course work has been completed. Below are the available opportunities for students to receive credit for prior learning.

Transfer of Credit to RichmondCC

Students may transfer credit earned at other post-secondary institutions provided: (1) a grade of "C" or above was attained; (2) subject, content, and length of course are comparable; and (3) the courses were completed at a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. While there is no specific time limit on transferability of credit, time may be a factor in awarding credit in courses where technological or societal changes affect the applicability. The registrar and appropriate instructors will review official transcripts and determine which courses may transfer. Students will be informed of their transfer credit by the end of their first term of enrollment. No transfer credit is permitted for courses completed by proficiency at other institutions.

The Richmond Community College (RichmondCC) transcript and student record will show courses accepted for transfer credit. These courses will not count in the student's grade point average. Transfer students must earn at least 25% of the total credit hours for the degree, diploma, or certificate as students at RichmondCC. Some programs have special restrictions on transfer credits. Those restrictions are located in the Program and Course Catalog.

Academic credit earned at RichmondCC can be used toward multiple curricula programs when the same course is needed for each program. Grades earned will be used in computing the program grade point average for each program.

Military Training

Credit may be awarded to students for educational experience in the armed services. Documentation of experience must be submitted to the Registrar who will consult with the appropriate department chair/program coordinator, if needed, before granting credit. Students should submit a Joint Services Transcript to the Admissions Office. Military service experiences are evaluated using ACE Guide recommendations. The grade “MT” on the academic record will indicate credit earned for military educational experience. Credit hours will be assigned for such credit; however, no quality points will be assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

Students may receive credit for holding certain certifications or licensures. Students interested in such credit must have the proof of certification or licensure listed below submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

Nurse Aide 1

Curriculum Course: NAS-101

To receive this credit, students must hold an unexpired certification and be listed on the NC Nursing Registry. Request for this credit must be made to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Nurse Aide 2

Curriculum Course: NAS-102

To receive this credit, students must hold an unexpired certification and be listed on the NC Nursing Registry. Request for this credit must be made to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Accelerated Associate Degree Nursing

Curriculum Courses: NUR-111, NUR-112, and NUR-114

The accelerated Associate Degree Nursing credit for prior learning is designed for the LPN or EMS professional who is returning to college to earn an Associate Degree Nursing. To receive credit, the student must be admitted into the Associate Degree Nursing program and have the approval of the Nursing Admissions Committee. Request for this credit must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by a designee of the Nursing Admissions Committee.

Refrigerant Certification

Curriculum Course: AHR-160

To receive college credit, students must successfully complete the continuing education classes HVAC Level 1 and HVAC Level 2 after January 2018. They must provide documentation that they passed the EPA Certification after January 2018 and obtain the approval of the college’s AHRT Program Coordinator. Request for this credit must be made to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Public Safety Training

Students may receive credit for completing public safety training or holding certain certifications or licensures. Students interested in such credit must have the proof of certification or licensure listed below submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)

Curriculum Courses: CJC-131, CJC-132, CJC-221, CJC-231

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Training NC State Comprehensive Written Examination. To receive this credit, students must present their Student Course Completion Record from the N.C. Department of Justice to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Correctional & Detention Officer Training

Curriculum Courses: CJC-141, CJC-225, CJC-233

The NC Community College System Curriculum Course Review Committee approved for the above credit be awarded to students for successful completion of the N.C. Department of Adult Correction course or the N.C. Detention Officer Certification course. To receive this credit, students must present their N.C. Department of Adult Correction or the N.C. Detention Officer course certification to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Curriculum Courses: EMS-110

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the continuing education EMT course, EMS-4200, and are listed on the North Carolina OEMS Registry and/or The National EMT Registry. To receive this credit, students must present their EMT card to the RichmondCC Registrar and receive the approval of the EMS Program Coordinator.

Paramedic (EMS Bridging Program)

Curriculum Courses:

• EMS-110
• EMS-122
• EMS-130
• EMS-131
• EMS-160
• EMS-220
• EMS-221
• EMS-231
• EMS-240
• EMS-241
• EMS-250
• EMS-260
• EMS-270
• EMS-285

The Emergency Medical Science Bridging program is designed to allow a currently credentialed non-degree holding paramedic to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Science in two semesters.

The prerequisites for admission to the EMS Bridging program include current credential/ certification in all of the following:

• North Carolina or National Registry Paramedic Credential
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification
• American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (or NREMT equivalent)
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification (or PHTLS)

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the continuing education paramedic course and are listed on the North Carolina OEMS Registry and/or The National EMT Registry. To receive this credit, students must present proof of the above certifications to the EMS Program Coordinator.

PSAP Manager’s Course

Curriculum Courses: EME-111, EME-112

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the continuing education courses EME-PSPI, EME-OPP1, EME-OPP2, EME-THP1, and EME-THP2. Students must complete and pass these courses with a minimum of 80. To receive this credit, students must show proof of completion to the RichmondCC Registrar.

Continuing Education Course Completion

Students may receive curriculum course credit for successful completion of certain RichmondCC continuing education courses.  Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

Basic Anatomy and Physiology

Curriculum Courses: BIO-163

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC EMS-3163 course. To receive this credit, students must request it from the RichmondCC Registrar.

Effective Teacher Training

Curriculum Courses: EDU-275

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC Effective Teacher Training program.

Healthcare Billing and Coding

Curriculum Courses: HMT-210

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC continuing education course MED-3030 and successful completion of Medical Terminology I, MED-121. To receive this credit, the student must receive the recommendation of the Healthcare Management Technology Program Coordinator and request credit from the RichmondCC Registrar.

Community Resource Management

Curriculum Courses: HSE-155

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC continuing education course HSE-HSP1, Introduction to Human Services DSS: NCFAST Phase I. To receive this credit, the request it from the RichmondCC Registrar.

Financial Services

Curriculum Courses: HSE-250

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC continuing education course HSE-HSP2, Introduction to Human Services DSS: NCFAST Phase II. To receive this credit, the request it from the RichmondCC Registrar.

Computer Aided Drafting

Curriculum Courses: DFT-151

This credit may be awarded to students for successful completion of the RichmondCC continuing education course DFT-3100, AutoCAD, after August 1, 2019. To receive this credit, the student must receive the recommendation of the Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program Coordinator and request credit from the RichmondCC Registrar.

High School to Community College Articulated Credit

Curriculum Courses

CTE Course List

The North Carolina High School to Community College Articulation Agreement is an agreement between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Community College System. It provides a seamless process that joins secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education(CTE) programs of study.

This statewide articulation agreement comprises approximately 50 high school CTE courses that match the knowledge and skills taught in similar community college courses. The articulation agreement ensures that if a student is proficient in his/her high school course, the student can receive college credit for that course at any North Carolina community college. This streamlines the student's educational pathway by eliminating the need to take multiple courses with the same learning outcomes.

Students desiring more information should contact the RichmondCC Registrar or their high school counselor.

The complete list of CTE Articulated credit is located at NC High School to Community College Agreement.

To receive credit, students must enroll at RichmondCC within two years of high school graduation and meet the following criteria:

• Final grade of B or higher in the high school course AND
• Score of 90 or higher on the CTE post assessment

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

Students graduating from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) may be eligible to receive college credit for some of their completed courses. Official transcripts will be reviewed by the Registrar and Program Coordinator/Department Chair to determine credit. Students interested in such credit must contact the Registrar’s Office.

Standardized Exams

Students can receive non-course credit for certain standardized exams. These exam scores are valid for credit for five years from the exam date.

Advance Placement (AP) Credits

Students may receive college credit if the appropriate score is achieved on the Advanced Placement (AP) examination. Students interested in such credit must have official score reports from the College Board Entrance Examination submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students may receive college credit if the appropriate score is achieved on the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students interested in such credit must have official score reports from the College Board Entrance Examination submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Students may receive college credit if the appropriate score is achieved on the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Students interested in such credit must have official score reports or transcript from DSST submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate, consult with the Program Coordinator/Department Chair, if needed, and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded. Exam equivalencies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students may receive college credit if the appropriate score is achieved on the IB examination. Students interested in such credit must have an official transcript from International Baccalaureate submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate, consult with the Program Coordinator/Department Chair, if needed, and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded. Exam equivalencies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Cambridge International Exam

Students may receive college credit if the appropriate score is achieved on the Cambridge International AS or A Level examination. Students interested in such credit must have an official transcript from Cambridge International submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once received, the Registrar will evaluate and award credit accordingly to enrolled students. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.

Grade of E or higher is required on these exams to receive the credits listed below.​

Portfolio for Life and Work Experience

Students can present prior learning and work experience in a portfolio format to request credit for a specific course required for their program of study. Suggested documentation includes, but is not limited to, resume, certifications, letters of recommendation, and samples of work. The portfolio will be evaluated by members of the College staff and faculty for course credit consideration and recommendation. An interview with the student may be requested. If the portfolio is recommended for credit, it will be submitted to the Vice President for Instruction/Chief Academic Officer for approval.

Proficiency Tests for Credit

Students who can provide tangible evidence of preparation to challenge a course, such as a transcript of similar college-level credits, record of military study, certification or license, standardized test scores, or written statements from employers regarding training or directly related work experience indicating that they may be proficient in a subject, may request Proficiency Credit testing. Because of specific requirements, some courses may not be appropriate for proficiency testing and are excluded from this procedure. A student must have completed any course prerequisites before taking a proficiency exam. A proficiency exam can be taken only once for any course. The student and the student’s Instructor or Department Chair/Program Coordinator determine readiness for a proficiency examination preferably before classes begin but no later than the last day of the drop/add period. A written request must be made to the appropriate Department Chair/ Program Coordinator on the Proficiency Credit form. Students who request Proficiency Credit must enroll as a credit student in the course to be challenged, pay tuition and fees, and attend class until the exam has been successfully passed with a minimum grade of “B.” The Department Chair/ Program Coordinator arranges for the demonstration of proficiency prior to the ten percent (10%) date of the semester. Students who do not pass the proficiency may remain in the class and take it for credit.

Students may not attempt more than ten percent (10%) of the required credit hours or one course, whichever is greater, in their curriculum program by means of Proficiency Credit. Students may not receive credit for elective courses by proficiency examination.

A grade of “X” (Proficiency) will be recorded on the student’s transcript upon successful completion of the exam. Credits earned will be applied toward graduation requirements but will not affect the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA). Proficiency Credit cannot be requested for a course which the student previously attempted.

ACA-122

ACA-122, College Transfer Success, provides information and strategies necessary to develop clear academic and professional goals beyond the community college experience. Topics include college policies and culture, career exploration, gathering information on senior institutions, strategic planning, critical thinking, and communications skills. Students are strongly encouraged to take ACA-122 at RichmondCC to gain these skills and to learn about specific RichmondCC policies and procedures.

However, students that have already completed an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, may receive credit for ACA-122. The student's advisor or a Career and Transfer Advisor will discuss the content in ACA-122 with the student and determine if the student already understands the topics that would be covered. The student's academic plan and career plan should already be established. To receive this credit, a request from an advisor must be made to the RichmondCC Registrar. Credit will apply towards graduation requirements in the student’s curriculum program; however, quality points are not awarded.