College Credits Earned at Other Institutions

Sauk Valley Community College will accept credits earned at other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning if the institutions' grading symbols are "A," "B," or "C" in credit given by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). College level transfer grades are computed in the students' cumulative GPA.  

Credit successfully completed will be accepted:

• On a course-for-course basis, or
• As a division elective, or
• As a general elective, or
• As an IAI equivalent elective.

Students requesting transfer of "D" or "P" grades must see an academic advisor for consideration. If approved, "P" grades are not computed in the cumulative GPA.  Program completion limits the number of credits earned with a grade of "P".

Some programs do not accept transfer credit. Refer to individual program requirements for more information.

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for prior learning can be awarded only after the assessment of prior learning experiences and only for documented learning that demonstrates achievement of all terminal objectives for a specific course.

Students enrolled at SVCC may earn credits based on prior learning in the following ways:

1. Armed service experience;
2. Evaluation;
3. Proficiency examination;
4. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in general and subject examinations;
5. DANTES examinations;
6. The Advanced Placement Examination Program;
7. Credit by Certification, License or Registry; and/or
8. The International Baccalaureate Program 
9. State Seal of Biliteracy

Credit for prior learning does not count toward the residency requirement for a certificate or degree at SVCC except for credits by proficiency examination. A maximum of 30 credits gained through prior experience can be used toward a degree at SVCC; up to 50 percent of the credits earned through prior experience may be applied toward a certificate at SVCC. Students should be aware that acceptance of credit for prior experience varies among transfer institutions.

Fifteen hours toward a degree or 25% of the required credits for a certificate must be completed at the college prior to awarding credit for prior learning for degree or certificate seeking students.

1. Armed Service Experience
   Credit toward graduation may be granted a veteran for certain armed service experience. All claims for experience, including armed service schooling, must be documented. All veterans must submit a copy of form DD 214 or separation record. In the case of special schooling claims, a certificate of completion for the appropriate training must be presented to Admissions and Records for credit evaluation. The College will accept armed service experiences toward college credit as recommended by the Commission on Accreditation of Service Experience of the American Council of Education.
    
   1. All USAFI courses numbered 400 599 are accepted for college credit if a passing grade was obtained. A grade of "P" is assigned to these credits.
   2. The College accepts credits earned through various Armed Forces Education experiences as recommended by A Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.
   3. A veteran may receive Sauk Valley Community College physical education credit at the rate of one semester hour for one year of active duty served in the armed services up to a maximum of four semester hours.
       
2. Evaluation
   Credit by Evaluation certifies knowledge gained through work experience, technical or vocational training, and other learning experiences. The first step for such an evaluation should begin in the office of the Vice-President of Academics and Student Services. Appropriate work experience in which a body of knowledge is parallel to SVCC courses will be evaluated and credit will be given when approved by the Vice-President of Academics and Student Services. A maximum of 15 semester hours may be earned through credit by evaluation. If the student is allowed credit by evaluation, he/she will be required to pay a fee for the number of semester hours requested.
    
3. Proficiency Examination
   Proficiency examinations may be taken in certain courses or programs upon petition by the student. These examinations may be taken only with the approval of the Vice-President of Academics and Student Services. They are open to those students that, in the judgment of the above listed people, meet the requirements through previous course work, experience, or a combination of both. Applications for proficiency examinations are available in the office of the appropriate dean or Vice-President of Academics and Student Services .
   
   If the student passes a proficiency examination, he/she will be given credit, which will be shown on the record as "Credit by Proficiency." A grade of "Z" will be recorded and the credits will not figure in the GPA. A maximum of 15 semester hours may be earned through proficiency examinations.
   
   The following restrictions apply to proficiency examinations:
    
   1. They may not be taken to raise a grade, remove a failure, or replace an incomplete;
   2. They may not be taken before the student is admitted to SVCC;
   3. They may not be taken more than once in a given course;
   4. They may not be taken in a course that is below the level of previous course work that the student has completed; and
   5. They may not be taken in a course which the student has previously audited or in which he/she has enrolled.
      
      Exceptions to these policies may be made only upon approval by the Vice-President of Academics and Student Services.
       
4. Credits Earned by College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
   Sauk Valley Community College will accept credits earned by CLEP to a maximum of 30 semester hours, as recommended by the American Council on Education. Guidelines established by the American Council on Education will be considered in granting credits by CLEP.
   
   The College follows Illinois Community College Board guidelines in granting credit for general examinations. For a complete list, go to svcc.edu/admissions, proceed to Other ways to earn College Credit and then see CLEP Information. Credit for subject matter examinations is granted in accordance with guidelines of the American Council on Education. Students may not use CLEP credits for purposes of completing the 16 semester hour residency policy at SVCC. CLEP credits will not affect a student's GPA. Students should consult with the Advising Department prior to testing to ensure compatibility of the CLEP examination with SVCC courses. A fee must be paid prior to testing. For further information call the Testing Center, 815-835-6530.
    
5. Credit Earned through the DANTES Program
   Sauk Valley Community College accepts credits earned through the DANTES program to a maximum of 30 semester hours as recommended by the American Council on Education. Guidelines established by the American Council on Education will be considered in granting credits through the DANTES program. Students may not use DANTES credits for purposes of completing the 16 semester hour residency policy at SVCC. DANTES credits will not affect a student's GPA. Students should consult with the Advising Department prior to testing to ensure compatibility of the DANTES examination with SVCC courses. A fee per exam must be paid prior to testing. For further information call the Testing Center, 815-835-6530.
    
6. Credit Earned through the Advanced Placement Program
   Sauk Valley Community College accepts Advanced Placement (AP) for college credit through tests administered from the College Entrance Examination Board, Advanced Program. Credit may be granted to students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program in their high schools. Students who have taken Advanced Placement Program examinations through their high school should request that the scores be sent to Sauk's Admissions and Records. An advising appointment should be made to review scores and determine credit awarded. Call 815-835-6354 to make an appointment.
    
7. Credit by Certification, License, or Registry
   Sauk Valley Community College provides credit for currently enrolled students that have successfully completed state and/or national certification, licensing and registry examinations. The credit must be applied in a program in which the student is enrolled. The college currently provides credit recognition in the following disciplines:
   • Industrial/Technical (IND/HRS)
   • Nursing (LPN)
   • Radiography (RAD)

Students should be aware that acceptance of credit for prior experience varies among transfer institutions.

To request credit recognition for a state or national exam passage, contact the dean or Vice-President of Academics and Student Services responsible for the program discipline in which the student is enrolled and credit is requested.

8. The International Baccalaureate Program
   The International Baccalaureate Program provides secondary school students the opportunity to prepare for college-level course work and earn college credit while in high school through the successful completion IB examinations. Sauk Valley Community College accepts a specified range of IB scores as equivalencies for selected college courses. Students should submit IB scores to the Office of Admissions and Records for credit/placement evaluation. Specific scores are located on the college's website.

9. State Seal of Biliteracy
   Sauk Valley Community College accepts the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to two (2) years of foreign language coursework taken during high school if a student's high school transcript indicates the student has received the State Seal of Biliteracy. Specific scores are located on the college's website.