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To assist students in the completion of their educational goals, PCCC may accept credits earned at other higher education institutions and/or through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Transfer and PLA credits shall be awarded when they are determined to be equal to PCCC courses and learning outcomes, and a degree-seeking student’s program requirements. These credits do not fulfill residency requirements and are not calculated in the cumulative grade point average.
Transfer Credit
Policy: PCCC degree/certificate seeking-students may be awarded academic credit for successfully passed credits at other institutions of higher education. All decisions made with respect to the transfer process shall be based on the principle of equivalence of course expectations and requirements for native and transfer students.
Procedures: Students seeking transfer credit must have official transcripts sent directly to "Passaic County Community College, Office of Admissions" and complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation form. It is recommended that official transcripts be submitted electronically whenever possible. Once the evaluation is completed, students will receive a transcript showing the accepted transfer credit. Accepted credit is posted as a T grade (for credit in which a grade of “C” or better is earned) or TU (for credit in which a passing grade of less than C is earned).
Decisions on transfer credit are based on equivalency of content and/or learning outcomes and assigned credit hours. Consideration is given to the principle of equivalence of expectations and requirements for native versus transfer students.
The College maintains a database of established course equivalencies with those of neighboring institutions. The database was developed and is maintained with input from the academic departments. If the equivalency does not exist in the database, the course description is sent to the appropriate Departemt Chairperson for evaluation.
PCCC accepts a maximum of thirty (30) college-level transfer credits toward associate degree programs. Students must complete at least one-half of the credits required in their major at PCCC.
The College may accept a maximum of fifteen (15) transfer credits, as determined by department chairs, toward Career Certificate Programs. In addition, the College may accept transfer credits of up to 50% of the credits required, as determined by department chairs, toward Certificate of Achievement Programs.
Note on International Transfer credit: If coursework was completed outside of the US, an evaluation of international educational credentials must be forwarded from one of the following professional evaluation service agencies: World Education Services, Educational Credentials Evaluators, Globe Language Services, or Josef Silny & Associates. Fees are determined by each agency. The evaluation must have occurred within the last 5 years.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Credit
Policy: PCCC recognizes that college-level learning may take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. PCCC evaluates and awards academic credit for college-level learning that is equivalent to the PCCC courses learning outcomes.
Methods for Prior Learning can include:
Students may incur fees related to CPL.
Procedures
Credit by Examination
PCCC will also consider other testing services (i.e. NYU Language Proficiency Testing). Interested students should discuss first with the Assistant Dean of Advisement and Prior Learning to determine viability of service. Fees for these services vary.
Credit for training, Certification and/or Licensure
Students enrolled at PCCC may receive credit for credentials earned from a approved/accredited training agency. For examples, visit pccc.edu/prior learning. To request credit for training and certificates, students must contact the Assistant Dean for Advisement and Credit for Learning. Training and certificates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Credit by Portfolio Assessment
Credit may be given for work experience done through corporations, unions, government agencies, and similar sponsors. A maximum of 12 credits may be awarded. To request credit for training and certificates students must contact the Assistant Dean for Advisement and Credit for Prior Learning.
Appeal Process
Students who are not satisfied with the evaluation may appeal. Students must first contact the Assistant Dean for Advisement and Credit for Prior Learning no later than ninety (90) days after the completion of the initial prior learning assessment to discuss the evaluation results and provide any additional documentation needed to assist with the review (e.g., an updated transcript or college catalog, syllabus, or other relevant documentation).
If the issue is not resolved, the student may request further review from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs in consultation with the academic dean, academic chair and/or program coordinator.
The decision will be communicated to the student in writing, within fifteen (15) working days during the academic Fall and Spring semesters. The decision of the Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs is final.
Transcript Recording
Credit for Prior Learning Experience is recorded on the student’s transcript as follows:
Credits awarded for Prior Learning may not transfer to other institutions.
Assessment
Policies and procedures on the awarding of credit for transfer and/or prior learning assessment will be reviewed for their effectiveness and fairness by the College’s Academic Standards’ Committee every five years.
