Wallace Community College Selma provides an opportunity for students to earn a reasonable amount of credit toward the Associate Degree or Certificate through nontraditional means, such as experiential learning and prior learning assessment (PLA). While nontraditional credit applies toward a degree and certificate programs granted by the College, it should not be assumed that such credit will automatically be accepted by senior institutions. Students are advised to consult a counselor to obtain information regarding policies at other colleges.
Not more than 25 percent of total credit required for any program may be awarded as a result of PLA. Credit for academic transfer courses awarded through PLA may only be awarded by examination or nationally recognized guidelines are listed below:
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College Level Examinations Program (CLEP)
Wallace Community College Selma honors credit earned through CLEP examinations. A minimum score at or above the 50th percentile on both general examinations and subject examinations is required for specific course credit. Any exception to this policy must have prior approval from the Dean of Students. The policy of granting credit through CLEP at WCCS may differ from policies at other colleges. Check with a counselor/advisor at WCCS or other colleges to obtain additional information. WCCS does not administer CLEP tests. The student is responsible for having the scores sent to WCCS Office of Admissions and Records.
CLEP SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS Examinations 50th Percentile Score Course Credit Equivalent. Awarded SH American Government 50 POL 211 3 American History 49 HIS 201 3 American Literature 50 ENG 251 3 Biology 49 BIO 103 3 College Algebra 49 MTH112 3 College Composition (with essay) 50 ENG101 3 Data Processing 49 CIS 130 3 English Literature 49 ENG 261 3 General Chemistry 50 CHM 111 4 General Psychology 50 PSY 200 3 Introduction to Business Management 50 BUS275 3 Introduction to Accounting 50 BUS 241 3 Legal & Social Environment 51 BUS 2G3 3 Cal. Elem. Functions 49 MTH115 3 Introduction to Macroeconomics 50 ECO 231 3 Introduction to Microeconomic 50 ECO 232 3 Introduction to Marketing 50 BUS 285 3 Introduction to Sociology 50 SOC2CO 3 Trigonometry 54 MTH113 3 Western Civilization 49 HIS 101 3 Anatomy & Physiology 1 50 BIO201* 4 Note: Any student enrolled in BIO 202 or BiO 220 will not be awarded CLEP credit for BiO 201. -
Law Enforcement Academy Work
In accordance with Alabama Board of Trustees Policy 706.01, transfer credit may be awarded through portfolio review for certain non-traditional courses completed at specialized governmental training institutions such as Alabama law enforcement academies. Following successful completion of 9 SH of credit toward a standard certificate (CER), or short-term certificate (STC), a student may request a portfolio review by the Dean of Students and approval by the Dean of Instruction. The review process includes a detailed accounting of non-traditional course content, experiences, skills learned, continuing education units, transfer records, instructor credentials and employer records. Once the portfolio review process is completed and approved by the Dean of Instruction, a Prior Learning Credit document becomes part of the student’s permanent academic record and the appropriate courses are recorded on the student’s official college transcript.
- Graduates of the Alabama State Trooper Academy are eligible for 15 semester
credit hours in the following courses for prior learning experience:
CRJ 110 Introduction Law Enforcement 3 SH CRJ 116 Police Patrol 3 SH CRJ 216 Police Organization & Admin 3 SH CRJ 220 Criminal Investigation 3 SH PED Physical Education Activity Elective 3 SH - Graduates of the Alabama Police Academy are eligible for 9 semester credit hours
in the following courses for prior learning experience:
CRJ110 Introduction to Law Enforcement 3 SH CRJ116 Police Patrol 3 SH PED Physical Education Activity Elective 3 SH - Graduates of the Alabama Corrections Academy are eligible for 9 semester credit
hours in the following courses for prior learning experience:
CRJ 110 Introduction Law Enforcement 3 SH CRJ 150 Introduction to Corrections 3 SH PED Physical Education Activity Elective 3 SH
- Graduates of the Alabama State Trooper Academy are eligible for 15 semester
credit hours in the following courses for prior learning experience:
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Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Service
Credit for courses taken while in the military will be evaluated according to nationally recognized guidelines or through other statewide programs identified by the department. Credit may be granted for any military service school or for any United States Armed Forces Institute/Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services (USAFI/DANTES) subject test that has been satisfactorily completed and is determined to have a course equivalent in the student’s program major. Additional information on DANTES credit should be provided by the student and sent to WCCS Office of Admissions and Records.
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Credit for Prior Experience:
Students who satisfactorily demonstrate knowledge of, or skills in, a program in which they are training may receive advanced standing credit which may result in early program completion. This applies to individuals who have prior work experience or vocational training, especially at the high school level. Credit may be granted only through the following methods:- Comprehensive Departmental Challenge Examination.
- CLEP General or Subject Examinations. Students should contact the instructor of the program for which they are applying and/or the Office of Student Services for additional information.
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Advanced Placement Test (AP)
Three or more semester hours of credit for the Advanced Placement Test will be given for a minimum score of three or higher on the subject tests. A maximum of 15 credits may be accepted through the AP Program for credit hours at the institution granting the degree. The student is responsible for having the scores sent to WCCS Office of Admissions and Records.