Bismarck State College is proud to offer Prior Learning Assessment, a process identifying and documenting previous learning that has the potential to receive academic credit as part of a degree program. BSC recognizes that students will pursue an associate degree with a variety of academic and professional experiences related to the degree program. BSC supports these adult learners who wish to participate in a Prior Learning Assessment process.

Questions to consider:

Is Prior Learning Assessment for me?
Adults learn constantly - many have developed their college level learning away from the traditional classroom, on the job, in relationships, through reading, travel, hobbies, and life events. Adults who want a college to grant them a degree still have to find a way to document what they know in order to get the necessary college credit. Bismarck State College is committed to the idea that people deserve credit for their learning experiences that were not acquired as part of a formally structured course offered by a college.

What types of information can be used for Prior Learning Assessment?
Credit is awarded for the knowledge gained, not for the experience itself; therefore, credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning acquired through life or work experience. Some of the possible sources for prior college-level learning include work experience, non-credit courses, seminars, and in-service training programs, volunteer work in the community, hobbies, recreational activities, independent reading and research, and military service.

Prior Learning Assessment Process:

Explanation of Prior Learning Assessment options:
Transfer Credits -
Students will be asked to provide transcripts from high school and all other colleges attended. These will be evaluated for the possibility of transfer into the degree program chosen by the student. For more information, contact the Registrar's Office.

1. Credits may be awarded only to enrolled or former BSC students.
2. New students must have transcript able course work entered on a BSC academic record prior to recording CLEP credit.
3. CLEP credits have neither letter nor numerical grades assigned. Thus, they will not be used to compute a student's grade point average.
4. Credits will not be granted if a student has previously enrolled in coursework covered by CLEP examinations.
5. CLEP credits earned while attending BSC usually transfer to other colleges and universities. However, BSC does not assume responsibility for the transferability of CLEP credits.
6. A maximum of 30 semester hours of CLEP credit may be applied to any degree, diploma, or certificate program at BSC.
7. Credits earned through CLEP do no meet BSC residence requirements.
8. Student must earn a score of at least the 50th percentile to obtain college level credit at BSC.
9. Duplicate credit will not be awarded for overlapping exams.
10. CLEP exams can be repeated after 6 months using regular registration procedures.
11. The number of CLEP credits awarded is equal to BSC course credits.

For more information, contact the Student Records & Registrar's Office.

Military Credits -
BSC awards college credit for selected and successfully completed military training programs as outlined in the "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed forces," prepared by the American Council on Education. The number of credits awarded will be based on evaluation and recommendation of BSC Registrar's staff and the appropriate department chairperson. Eligible student must submit official documentation (dates, location, course titles, identification numbers, and other supporting information) for evaluation.

For more information, contact the Student Records & Registrar's Office.

1. Student requests challenge exam in approved course.
2. PLA Coordinator, in concert with the Registrar, determines student eligibility for challenge exam. If appropriate, the PLA Coordinator: 1) contacts instructor in that discipline to provide the challenge exam; 2) contacts the Business Office for fee information and billing of student.
3. Student pays challenge exam fee and contacts faculty to determine a mutually convenient time for student to take the exam.
4. Faculty member administers and grades the exam; notifies the Registrar and PLA Coordinator of the outcome.
5. Registrar transcripts the result of the challenge exam.

For more information, contact the Student Records & Registrar's Office or the Alternative Learning Coordinator.

Portfolio Assessment/SOC 292
This course helps students:

1. evaluate their learning from experience
2. select the appropriate comparable BSC course
3. prepare a portfolio describing and documenting that learning for possible credit.

1. Student enrolls in SOC 292: Prior Learning Development (2 semester hours)
2. Student successfully completes the course and receives a letter grade and credit.
3. Student submits two copies of the completed portfolio to PLA Coordinator with Cover Sheet Application for specific course evaluation.
4. Student is billed for the course evaluation.
5. Once the bill has been paid, the PLA Coordinator forwards one copy of the portfolio to the faculty evaluator.
6. Faculty evaluates the portfolio, assigns a letter grade and returns the portfolio to the PLA Coordinator.
7. PLA Coordinator notifies appropriate BSC sources to have the student's grade transcripted and the proper credits awarded.One copy of the portfolio is returned to the student with the evaluation results and the other copy is filed by the PLA Coordinator for any future reference or need.

For more information, contact the Alternative Learning Coordinator.

Important things to remember when considering Prior Learning Assessment:
Prior Learning Assessment is not a short cut to a degree and online courses are not necessarily easier or more convenient. They are self-motivated learning experiences that require dedication and desire. Prior Learning Assessment accepts only that which is considered to be college-level learning, not experiences. Be sure you have the documentation to verify your learning. In some cases, taking the actual course, either on campus or online may be the better option.