Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning

SPCC evaluates credit for transfer from other collegiate level institutions. Students who have met the eligibility criteria and have completed coursework at other colleges and universities should submit official transcripts of all post-secondary work to the SPCC Admissions Office. Credit will be evaluated in the context of the current SPCC college catalog and awarded according to the following guidelines:

• Prior coursework must correspond in instructional hours and content and must be substantially similar to SPCC courses required in the degree, diploma, or certificate being sought. Quarter-hour courses must equate to the semester-hour equivalent of the current required course, either by a combination of courses or as standalone by using the 3:2 ratio (2/3). Coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited college recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or other nationally known accrediting body.
• All college-level courses completed with a “C” or better will be considered for transfer credit. If a course completed at another college is not transferred, but the student thinks it meets the course requirements, a course description from the year appropriate college catalog can be submitted for review. A final decision will be made by the College. Transfer credits will appear on the student’s SPCC transcript with a grade of TA, TB, or TC. Time limits may exist on courses that apply toward certain programs of study (e.g. computers/health sciences).

To be considered for acceptance of transfer credit from an international university, an official English language transcript is required and the student must have an International Transcript Evaluation completed by an evaluation agency at their expense. The transcript and the grading system can be submitted to an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), for an international evaluation. A letter grade of “A,” “B,” or “C” and earned credit hours must be provided for each course. Course equivalencies based on terms such as “Excellent” or “Good” are not acceptable. If the official transcript is in the English language and the institution is accredited in the U.S., an International Transcript Evaluation may not be required.

Institutional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S. by one of the following institutional accrediting agencies: Middle State Commission on Higher Education, New England Commission of Higher Education, Higher Learning Commission, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Online institutional accredited college credits are considered for transfer credit.

A student might not receive credit for all previous courses. If a student did not successfully complete a course, the course is obsolete, South Piedmont does not have an equivalent course, the timeframe has expired, the course is graduate level, or if the previously attended college is not regionally accredited, are some examples of why a course may not transfer. Please contact the Registrar’s Office concerning any possible errors or questions regarding transcript evaluations.

Specific state and national industry certifications have been approved for potential curriculum credit. Students who have met the CPL criteria may complete the Credential to Credit Form and attach supporting documentation that substantiates credential attainment. Students will receive notification of the decision after qualified faculty/staff review the request.  Credit is awarded without a grade.

Students are responsible for providing evidence of their valid (non-expired) certification(s) which must have been issued within five (5) years prior (unless otherwise noted on chart) to their request for articulated credit.  Students must maintain their certification throughout completion of the program.

Students who have met the CPL criteria and have completed one of the approved Continuing Education (CE) courses at SPCC with a grade of satisfactory may request to receive the equivalent curriculum course credit on their SPCC transcript. Each approved CE course articulation has an approved date of origin; CE courses completed prior to the approved date of origin are not eligible for articulation.

Request is made by completing the Continuing Education to Credit Form.   Students will receive notification of the decision after qualified faculty/staff review the request.  Credit is awarded without a grade.

Students entering SPCC from North Carolina public high schools may be awarded articulated credit as provided by state and local agreements. Students must also meet the following criteria:

• Enroll at SPCC within two years of High School graduation AND
• Request credit that is *directly applicable to the student’s declared curriculum program of study AND
• Submit an official NC public high school transcript (CFNC transcripts do not include CTE post-assessment information) AND
• Obtain a final grade of B or higher in the high school course AND
• Provide official proof of learning (Score 90 or higher on the CTE post-assessment, Performance-based measurement that meets course proficiency, or industry credential)

Requests are made by completing the High School to Community College Credit Form and attaching official supporting documentation if necessary. *Classes with an (*) directly apply to programs offered at SPCC.

Students who have met the CPL criteria and have prior learning in industry recognized training and/or credentials from North Carolina Public Safety Training Organizations (NCDPS, NCOSFM, NCDOJ, NCCCS, NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Commission), may receive credit on their SPCC transcript for Public Safety Training (PST) courses as specified in the NCCCS Common Course Library.

Request is made by completing the Public Safety Training Credit Form  and attaching supporting documentation of state-mandated, agency, or non-credit training including documentation of required minimum hours. Students will receive notification of the decision after qualified faculty/staff review the request.  Credit is awarded without a grade.

Students who have met the CPL criteria and have completed an approved standardized exam may receive standardized credit on their SPCC transcript. All standardized exams must be within the last 5 years.

Request is made by submitting appropriate documentation verifying official scores. An official score report from the College Board must be provided to the College’s Admissions Office for Advance Placement (AP) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) consideration. An official score report from International Baccalaureate (IB) must be provided to the College’s Admissions Office for IB consideration.

Course credit is awarded based upon the academic program of study. For Advanced Placement credit, a grade of “AP” is awarded on the student transcript. For CLEP, credit is awarded without a grade on the student transcript.