Credit for Prior Learning
Life experience equals knowledge. College credit equals opportunity.
Credit for Prior Learning Inquiry Form
Your life experience is valuable. Now you can apply that know-how towards earning your certificate or college degree on campus or online. With Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), we can potentially reward the knowledge you've gained over the years by translating those learning experiences into college-level coursework. Save money and complete your degree faster by demonstrating what you already know through workplace experience and training, military service, professional certifications, or volunteer service!
To explore whether you might qualify for credit for prior learning, contact Student Records.
Please click here for AP exam credit information.
Through the Federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century grant (Perkins V) and MA Career Technical Education (Chapter 74) HCC is able to award credit to high school students entering into the following HCC career and technical education programs.
- Culinary Arts
- Education
- Foundations of Health
- Radiologic Technology
- Veterinary Science
HCC awards credit for specific Business coursework through the Center for Financial Training (CFT), a nonprofit organization that provides training solutions to the financial services industry. For more information about CFT contact Kimberley Broderick at kbroderick@hcc.edu.
Do you have outside learning, training or work skills equivalent to an HCC course that is required in your program of study? Taking an HCC Challenge Exam can reduce your course load by awarding you credit for passing an exam that proves your knowledge of the course’s student learning outcomes.
- Taking a challenge exam is not a guarantee of credit being awarded: the course for which you are testing out must fit into your program and you must pass with the score indicated.
- Credits earned through HCC Challenge Exams are not transferrable to other institutions, they will only satisfy academic credit requirements for HCC.
- The cost for an exam is currently $35.
- Exams are administered in person at the Testing Center on the second floor of the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, room 204.
Visit the Testing Center page for information about courses that offer an HCC Challenge Exam, including course descriptions and instructions for registering for an exam.
PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 1, 2018, the new CLEP exam fee will be $87. The current $85 fee will still apply to all exams purchased through June 30, 2018.
CLEP testing will continue to be free for eligible military service members, spouses, and civilian employees (eligibility details)
CLEP (the College-Level Examination Program®) was created to help individuals with prior knowledge in a college course subject earn their degree efficiently and inexpensively. That prior learning could have taken place through advanced high school courses, independent reading and study, online courseware or textbooks, noncredit courses, or on-the-job training.
CLEP offers 33 exams that cover intro-level college course material. These computer-based exams are offered at the HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center. By earning a satisfactory score, you earn the same amount of credit as a student who has successfully completed the same course through a college or university.
For Holyoke Community College Students: HCC provides credit for successful scores on 30 CLEP exams. Please contact us for information on available exams. You will find exam descriptions, sample questions, and study guides here. View the HCC CLEP Course Equivalency Chart.
For Non-Holyoke Community College Students: Please consult your institution's Advising Center and/or Registrar's Office for required passing scores and credits awarded. You will find exam descriptions, sample questions and study guides here. View CLEP 20178-2018 Credit-Granting Recommendations.
CLEP for Non-Military
Total Cost per CLEP Exam: $120 per exam ($85 exam fee paid directly to CLEP, plus $35 HCC proctoring fee)
Modern States might be able to pay your exam fee. Learn more.
Create Your CLEP Account:
- Go to www.collegeboard.org/clep to create your CLEP account
- Select your exam
- Select your score recipient institution
- Pay the CLEP exam fee
- Print your CLEP ticket to bring to your test appointment
Schedule Your CLEP Exam Appointment
Please note: All exams must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours prior to your preferred dates and times. Please be sure to schedule your exam appointment so you can comfortably complete your exam prior to our test center closing times. Click here to schedule your exam.
For Special Accommodations
For special accommodations (documented), please contact the Testing Center to make arrangements well in advance of your test date.
How Do I Get Credit for CLEP?
When you create an account with CLEP at www.collegeboard.org/clep, select your score-recipient institution. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to your school recipient within 7-10 business days. You will receive a copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination, except for College Composition which takes 2-3 weeks and will be simultaneously mailed directly to the address you provided in your CLEP account and to your score-recipient institution. If you opt not to name your score recipient when creating your CLEP account and purchasing your exam from CLEP, you can request a transcript from CLEP at a later time for a $20 fee by calling 800.257.9558 or submitting the Transcript Request Form available here.
What Should I Bring on Exam Day?
- Your Primary ID: Government-issued photo/signature, i.e. driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Your CLEP ticket
No cell phones, calculators, electronic devices of any kind. All watches, all bracelets, books, personal belongings, papers or food/drinks, etc. are allowed in the testing room. A light sweater or jacket is allowed, but you will be asked to turn it inside-out prior to entering the testing room. Secure lockers are available free of charge. Scratch paper, pencils, and earplugs are provided by the test center. Exams are 90 minutes long, except College Composition, which is two hours long.
CLEP for Active Military personnel
The HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center is a fully-funded CLEP partner. Through this program, eligible DANTES-funded test takers attempting a test title for the first time will have their $85 exam fee funded by DANTES, and the testing center will waive the $35 registration fee.
Please go to www.clep.collegeboard.org/earn-college-credit/military-benefits to review the DANTES eligibility chart and see if you or your spouse is eligible.
Day of Testing: Please bring your CLEP ticket and two valid forms of ID (your valid military ID and a government-issued photo/signature ID i.e. driver's license or passport)
For Special Accommodations
For special accommodations (documented), please contact the Testing Center to make arrangements well in advance of your test date.
How Do I Get Credit for CLEP?
When you create an account with CLEP at www.collegeboard.org/clep, select your school recipient. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to your school recipient within 7-10 business days. You will receive a copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination, except for College Composition which takes 2-3 weeks and will be simultaneously mailed directly to the address you provided in your CLEP account and to your score-recipient institution. If you opt not to name your score recipient when creating your CLEP account and purchasing your exam from CLEP, you can request a transcript from CLEP at a later time for a $20 fee by calling 800.257.9558 or submitting the Transcript Request Form available here.
I'm Ready to Take a CLEP Exam. What Do I Do?
Please go to www.collegeboard.org/clep to create your account, order your exam, and select you score recipients. Please print your CLEP ticket and bring it with you to your CLEP test appointment.
How Do I Schedule My CLEP Exam Appointment at the Test Center?
The HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center is a fully-funded CLEP partner. Thus, both the $85 exam fee due to DSST and the $35 proctoring fee due to HCC are waived.
Please note: All exams must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours prior to your preferred dates and times. Please be sure to schedule your exam appointment so you can comfortably complete your exam prior to our test center closing times. Click here to schedule your exam.
What Should I Bring on Exam Day?
- Your active military ID
- Your Primary ID: Government-issued photo/signature i.e. driver's license or passport
- Your CLEP ticket
No cell phones, calculators, electronic devices of any kind. All watches, all bracelets, books, personal belongings, papers or food/drinks, etc. are allowed in the testing room. A light sweater or jacket is allowed, but you will be asked to turn it inside-out prior to entering the testing room. Secure lockers are available free of charge. Scratch paper, pencils, and earplugs are provided by the test center. Exams are 90 minutes long, except College Composition, which is two hours long.
Test Center Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Parking
Please park your vehicle in Lot D. If the gate to Lot D is closed you can access it via Lot E. Please click here to access directions to our campus and a campus map.
Always check with your academic advisor or registrar to determine which CLEP exam is right for you!
The nationally-recognized DSST program allows you to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. DSST exams offer students a cost-effective, time-saving way to use their life experiences and knowledge to accomplish their educational goals. Currently, there are almost 2,000 colleges and universities that recognize the DSST program and award college credit for passing scores.
Learn more about DSST.
Many HCC academic programs award credit to students who hold industry credentials in the form of professional certifications. Credit may be awarded for specific required courses, program electives or general electives that are part of a student’s academic program.
Students must provide evidence of a current certificate from the issuing institution indicated by the credential agreement.
Credentials for Awarded Credit
|
Academic Department |
Credential |
Issuing Organization |
Effective Date |
|
Computer Information Science |
CCNA Certification CCENT Certification |
Cisco |
Current |
|
Linux + Certification Network + Certification Security + Certification TestOut Network Pro Certificate |
CompTIA |
Current |
|
|
Microsoft Office Suite Certification MTA Security Fundamentals Certification |
Microsoft |
Current |
|
|
OCA Java Certification OCA Linux Certification OCDA Certification |
Oracle |
Current |
|
|
Culinary Arts |
ServSafe Manager |
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation |
Current |
|
Education |
MTEL Tests DESE Exams Letter of Evidence of two years’ work in A MA school district. |
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education |
MTEL = Current DESE and Letter of Evidence from a MA District Principal Summer 2027 |
|
Foundations of Health |
CCMA: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant |
NHA: National Healthcareer Association |
Summer 2027 |
|
CMA: Certified Medical Assistant |
AAMA: American Association for Medical Assistants |
||
|
RMA: Registered Medical Assistant |
AMT: American Medical Technologist |
||
|
NCMA: National Certified Medical Assistant |
NCCT: National Center for Competency Testing |
||
|
CNA Certified Nurse Aid |
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health |
||
|
EMT Basic Certification |
|||
|
Advanced EMT Certification |
|||
|
Paramedic Certification |
For more information contact studentrecords@hcc.edu.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognized non-profit educational foundation that offers rigorous academic programs for students aged 3 to 19. HCC awards credit for the Diploma Programme (DP): A comprehensive two-year pre-university curriculum for students aged 16 to 19.
Students with International Baccalaureate credits should contact studentrecords@hcc.edu.
The MA State Seal of Biliteracy is an official award given to graduating high school students who show high proficiency in both English and at least one other language. HCC awards the following credits to students holding the seal.
Intermediate High Level of Proficiency: up to 9 credits
Advanced Low Level of Proficiency: up to 12 credits
Students with the Seal should contact studentrecords@hcc.edu or admissions@hcc.edu.
A DSST (formerly commonly referred to as a DANTES exam) is a credit-by-examination test that allows students to earn college credit for knowledge they have acquired outside the traditional classroom. DSST exams are available to both military and civilian test takers. DANTES, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, is a Department of Defense program that provides funding for DSST exams for eligible military service members.
HCC’s recognized DSST equivalencies can be found here.
The Joint Services Transcript (JST) is an official document that translates military training, schooling, and job experience into civilian college-credit recommendations.
Students with military credit should contact studentrecords@hcc.edu
HCC academic departments can choose to allow students to earn credit through the submission of a portfolio assessing prior learning in a credit course. Portfolios highlight the student’s proficiency in that particular academic subject area on the basis of substantive knowledge developed through prior professional experience.
|
Academic Department |
Courses |
Department Contact |
Effective Date |
|
Criminal Justice |
CRJ 100: Intro to Criminal Justice CRJ 103: Introduction to Corrections CRJ 112: Criminal Law & Procedure CRJ 200: Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice |
Alejandro Sanchez Jr. asanchez@hcc.edu |
Current |
|
Education |
EDU 276, 277, 278 Education Internships |
Charlene Cross ccross@hcc.edu |
EDU 276 is currently available EDU 277 and 278 available beginning Summer 2027 |
|
Human Services |
HSV 288 Practicum in Human Services I |
Donna Rowe drowe@hcc.edu |
Current |
Transitions to College and Careers and Gateway to College
HCC partners with Tech Foundry of Springfield to award credit to students who complete the Tech Foundry Google IT Support Certificate & Tech Foundry Certificate of Completion.
HCC has pathways from our Transition to College & Careers (TCC) and Gateway to College programs that can lead to earning college credit. TCC and Gateway students who enroll in one of HCC's associate degree programs may be eligible to receive credit as follows:
|
GTWY 108 |
SOC 110 |
|
GTWY 141 |
ENG 095* |
|
GTWY 166 |
LAX 110 |
|
GTWY 167 |
PSY 110 |
|
GTWY 150 |
SOC 150 |
|
GTWY 170 |
FRS 100 |
|
GTWY 171.52 |
MTH 011 |
|
GTWY 172.52 |
MTH 012 |
|
GTWY 173.51 |
MTH 013 |
|
GTWY 174.51 |
MTH 014 |
|
GTWY 175 |
HTH 101 |
|
GTWY 176 |
SOC 130 |
|
GTWY 177 |
SOC 150 |
|
GTWY 179 |
FRS 111 |
|
GTWY 180 |
HIS 107 |
|
GTWY 181 |
HIS 109 |
|
GTWY 182 |
COM 150 |
|
GTWY 184 |
EGR 110 |
|
GTWY 189 |
BUS 114 |
|
GTWY 192 |
BUS 113 |
|
GTWY 197 |
BUS 112 |
|
TCC 108 |
SOC 110 |
|
TCC 141 |
ENG 095 |
|
TCC 171 |
MTH 011 |
|
TCC 172 |
MTH 012 |
|
TCC 173 |
MTH 013 |
|
TCC 174 |
MTH 014 |
|
TCC 175 |
HTH 101 |
|
TCC 180 |
HIS 107 |
|
TCC 181 |
HIS 109 |
|
TCC 189 |
BUS 114 |
|
TCC 192 |
BUS 113 |
|
TCC 195 |
BUS 112 |
|
TCC 488 |
SOC 130 |
|
TCC 491 |
COM 150 |
|
ABE 488 |
SOC 130 |
|
ABE 491 |
COM 150 |
|
CWD 1066-64 |
HTH 124 |
|
CWD 1095 |
BIO 107 |
Contact info:
Gateway - Shannon Glen sglenn@hcc.edu
ABE/TCC - Crysta Ascolillo cascolillo@hcc.edu or tcc@hcc.edu
