Prior learning pathways at FCC allow students the opportunity to earn credit for college-level learning, thus accelerating their progress toward graduation. A PLA evaluation is conducted of a student’s work experiences, workplace training, professional licensure and certifications, military training and service, volunteer activities, life experiences, credits earned by standardized testing, and volunteering and community service activities which demonstrate college-level learning. Credit for PLA is not awarded for experience alone, but for a combination of experience and college-level learning. Students seeking credit for prior learning by way of a Portfolio Assessment, Institutional Departmental Exam, or Industry Certificates/Licensures should call the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator at 240.629.7967 for more information. Inquiries related to the remaining PLA options may be directed to the Registration and Records Office at 301.846.2595 or transferevaluation@frederick.edu .

Portfolio Assessment

The portfolio development process allows students an opportunity to demonstrate college-level knowledge acquired from work, independent reading, training programs, volunteer activities, and other life experience. A portfolio is an organized collection of essays, documentation, and artifacts demonstrating learning through work and life experiences that satisfies a specific FCC course. Following development the portfolio is submitted to the college for credit review by faculty. Students pay an assessment fee for the portfolio to be reviewed equivalent to a one-credit course and will be assessed 50% of the current tuition per credits rewarded. No more than 15 credits may be earned through portfolio assessment. For additional information, contact the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator at 240.629.7967.

Institutional Departmental Exams

If no CLEP or DSST exam (see charts below) is available for the subject in which a student is knowledgeable or skilled, students may contact the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator to discuss the possibility of credit by course examination. A credit by examination may be taken only once. If the student passes a credit by examination with a grade of “C” or better, they will earn the stipulated number of credits for the course. A student’s transcript will show credit for the specific courses that were taken on a credit-by-examination basis. No grade will be recorded, but credits may be counted toward degree requirements. Students pay an assessment fee of 50% of the current tuition per credit prior to taking the departmental exam. If a student is enrolled in a class for which they subsequently request a departmental examination, no refund for the course is available. No more than 15 credits may be earned through departmental examinations. For additional information, contact the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator at 240.629.7967.

Certificate & Licensure Evaluation

FCC accepts many industry-standard certificates and licensures for college credit. Currently students enrolled in a minimum of three credits can take advantage of agreements in programs including accounting; biotechnology; building trades; business; computer science; criminal justice; early childhood development; education; emergency management; fire service administration; hospitality, culinary, and tourism; medical assistant; police science; respiratory care; and surgical technology. For additional information, contact your program manager, department chair, or the Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator call 240.629.7967.

American Council on Education (ACE)

ACE offers a Credit Recommendation Service and is a resource that connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping adults gain access to academic credit for formal course evaluations acquired outside the traditional classroom setting. Credit may be granted for educational programs that have been completed successfully at non-collegiate institutions and applied to a student's program of study. ACE also evaluates military training and experience. FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or awarding of ACE credits. ACE now provides a working transcript which includes free digital transcripts and badges. Visit acenet.edu for more information. ACE transcripts, powered by Credly, should be sent to transferevaluation@frederick.edu 

National Credit Recommendations Services (NCCRS)

NCCRS evaluates training and education programs offered outside of the traditional college classroom setting provided by industry, state, and federal government employers, professional organizations and other agencies and translates them into college credits. FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or award of NCCRS credits. Students must request an official transcript from NCCRS be sent directly to the Registration and Records Office in Jefferson Hall.

Military Training & Service

FCC will evaluate training, experience, and service reflected on a service member's military transcript and award credit where applicable. Air Force personnel are issued a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript while Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy personnel are issued a Joint Services Transcript (JST). FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or awarding of CCAF or JST credit. Air Force personnel should request to have their official CCAF transcript sent to FCC electronically via Air University/Parchment. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy personnel should request to have their official JST sent to FCC electronically via the JST portal. No more than 45 military training and service credits can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

Credit by Examinations- AP/Cambridge/CLEP/DSST/IB

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination

These subject matter exams sponsored by the Educational Testing Service are generally administered through high schools at the culmination of AP course offerings. The program provides a practical way for high school students to receive advanced standing credit in college for college-level courses completed in high schools. Applicants for admission who have taken AP examinations should have an official copy of their scores sent to the FCC Registration & Records Office in Jefferson Hall.

Advanced Placement Exams

Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education)

The Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) program is an international, advanced secondary curriculum and assessment program equivalent to the British system of “A-Levels and AS-Levels.” To qualify for college credit, students must earn a grade of "e" or above on the nationally administered exams.  A Cambridge AICE score report at the pass level is generally sufficient for the awarding of equivalent FCC credit. The following exams have been reviewed by subject matter experts at the College. The list below is not exhaustive. New courses/exams will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students interested in determining if they have earned FCC equivalent credit should contact the Registration & Records Office in Jefferson Hall.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST)

CLEP and DSST are national credit-by-examination programs providing individuals the opportunity to earn credit in a non-traditional format. General and Subject exams are available in many different disciplines. FCC’s Testing Center administers CLEP and DSST exams by appointment. For more information about taking a CLEP or DSST exam, contact the Testing Center at 301.846.2522.

FCC also accepts CLEP and DSST and awards credit based on the exam taken and score earned. Refer to the following charts for exams accepted by FCC. For more information, contact Career and Academic Planning Services at 301.846.2471 or a Transfer Evaluator at 301.846.2595.

CLEP Exams

DSST Exams (Formerly DANTES)

Exams not listed may be eligible for credit. Email transferevaluation@frederick.edu for more information. 

International Baccalaureate

FCC will evaluate International Baccalaureate (IB) subject examinations with scores of 4 or higher. Students may be awarded up to 30 credits. FCC does not assess any fees for IB evaluations and credit awards. Students must have official transcripts sent to the Registration & Records Office in Jefferson Hall. The list below is not exhaustive. New exams will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students interested in determining if they have earned FCC equivalent credit should contact the Registration & Records Office.