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Ways to Earn PLA Credit

National Standardized Placement Tests

You may earn college credit through certain standardized testing. Upon receiving a satisfactory score, you may earn college credit. For more assistance on what types of exams Arapahoe Community College accepts, please contact the ACC Graduation and Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator at 303.797.5630.

To schedule a CLEP, DSST, or UExcel exam and/or for fee information, please contact the ACC Testing Center at 303.797.5993.

If you have taken one of the standardized exams listed below at another location, order an official transcript/score report and have it sent to ACC for evaluation: Arapahoe Community College, Attention Records and Enrollment Services, Campus Box 14, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, P.O. Box 9002, Littleton, CO 80160.

View a list of accepted scores for:

  • CLEP Exams 
  • DSST Exams
  • UExcel Excelsior College Exams
  • AP (Advanced Placement) Exams

Articulated Courses

If you have stopped out of college, the Alternative Credit Project (ACP) provides a pool of online courses that Arapahoe Community College (ACC) will accept towards your degree (with some restrictions). ACC may accept these ACP courses as transfer credits if they are required in your ACC degree or certificate. 

Course Title Provider ACE Code ACC Course ACC Course Name Credit
Accounting I Straighterline ACPE-0086 ACC 1021 (121) Accounting Principles I 4
Accounting II Pearson ACPE-0087 ACC 1022 (122) Accounting Principles II 4
Accounting II Straighterline ACPE-0088 ACC 1022 (122) Accounting Principles II 4
Intro to Financial Accounting Saylor ACPE-0113 ACC 1001 (101) Fundamentals of Accounting  3
Managerial Accounting Ed4Online ACPE-0117 ACC 2026 (226) Cost Accounting 3
Principles of Accounting 1 Ed4Online ACPE-0132 ACC 1021 (121) Accounting Principles I 4
Principles of Accounting 2 Ed4Online ACPE-0133 ACC 1022 (122) Accounting Principles II 4
Anatomy and Physiology Pearson ACPE-0090 BIO 1006 (106) Basic Anatomy and Physiology 4
Introduction to Art History Sophia ACPE-0105 ART 1110 (110) Art Appreciation (May use for either ART 1110 (110) or ART 1111 (111) & ART 1112 (112) but not all 3) 3
Introduction to Art History Sophia ACPE-0105 ART 1111 (111) and 1112 (112) Art History: Ancient / Medieval, and Art History: Renaissance / 1900 (May use for either ART 1110 (110) or ART 1111 (111) and 1112 (112) but not all 3) 6
Introduction to Business Saylor ACPE-0107 BUS 1015 (115) Introduction to Business 3
Introduction to Business Straighterline ACPE-0108 BUS 1015 (115) Introduction to Business 3
Business Law Pearson ACPE-0097 BUS 2016 (216) Legal Environment of Business  3
Introduction to Business Information Systems Pearson ACPE-0109 CIS 2067 (267) Mgmt of Information Systems 3
Business Communication Straighterline ACPE-0009 COM 105 Career Communication 3
Corporate Communication Saylor ACPE-0006 BUS 2017 (217) Business Comm/Report Writing  3
English Composition Straighterline ACPE-0026 ENG 1022 (122) English Composition II  3
Human Resource Management Ed4Online ACPE-0102 MAN 2000 (200) Human Resource Management I 3
Human Resource Management Pearson ACPE-0104 MAN 2000 (200) Human Resource Management I 3
Principles of Management Pearson ACPE-0122 MAN 2026 (226) Principles of Management 3
Principles of Management Saylor ACPE-0123 MAN 2026 (226) Principles of Management 3
Principles of Management Straighterline ACPE-0124 MAN 2026 (226) Principles of Management 3
Project Management Sophia ACPE-0128 MAN 2041 (241) Project Mgmt in Organizations 3
Business Management Ed4Online ACPE-0135 MAN 2026 (226) Principles of Management 3
Organizational Behavior Pearson ACPE-0120 MAN 2015 (215) Organizational Behavior 3
Organizational Behavior Straighterline ACPE-0121 MAN 2015 (215) Organizational Behavior 3
College Algebra Saylor ACPE-0016 MAT 0250 (050) Quantitative Literacy 4
College Algebra Straighterline ACPE-0018 MAT 1340 (121) College Algebra 4
Calculus I Saylor ACPE-0015 MAT 2410 (201) Calculus I 5
Pre-Calculus Straighterline ACPE-0019 MAT 1440 (166) Pre-Calculus 5
General Calculus I Straighterline ACPE-0040 MAT 2410 (201) Calculus I  5
General Calculus II Straighterline ACPE-0041 MAT 2420 (202) Calculus II 5
Introduction to Statistics  Saylor ACPE-0017 MAT 1260 (135) Intro to Statistics 3
General Physics Straighterline ACPE-0038 PHY 2111 (211) Physics Calc-Based with Lab (requires both ACPE-0038 and ACPE-0039 for credit) 5
General Physics Lab Straighterline ACPE-0039   Required with ACPE-0038 to earn PHY 2111 (211)  
Spanish I Straighterline ACPE-0129 SPA 1011 (111) Spanish Language I 5
Spanish II Straighterline ACPE-0130 SPA 1012 (112) Spanish Language II  5
Professional and Career Development Ed4Online ACPE-0051 MAR 1006 (106) Marketing Your Image 3
Student Success Pearson ACPE-0054 AAA 1001 (101) College 101: Student Experience 1
Student Success Straighterline ACPE-0064 AAA 1009 (109) Advanced Academic Achievement 3

 

Institutional Challenge Exams

“Institutional Challenge Exams are faculty-developed tests. They assess your mastery of the competencies for the ACC course being taught. To register for a challenge exam, please complete the Credit for Prior Learning Challenge Exam Form.

We currently offer challenge exams for:

  • Accounting
    • ACC 1011 and ACC 2035
  • Automotive Technology
    • ASE 1001, 1003, 1010, 1011, 1020, 1023, 1034, 1040, 1041, 1050, 1060, 1070, 2020, 2050, 2064 
  • Biology
    • BIO 2101 (201) and 2102 (202)
  • Chemistry
    • CHE 1111 (111)
  • Computer Aided-Drafting
    • CAD 1110 (115)
    • EGT 2305 (205)
  • Computer Information Systems
    • CIS 1018 -  Introduction to PC Applications
    • CIS 2020 - Fundamentals of Unix 
  • Computer Science
    • CSC 1019 - Introduction to Programming
  • Early Childhood Education
    • ECE 1111 (111)
  • Electronics
    • ELT 1206 and ELT 2254
  • Health Information Technology 
    • HIT 1001 (101), 2020/2021 (220/221), 2031 (231)
    • HPR 1040 (178)
  • Mathematics
    • MAT 1120 (103), 1150 (108), 1240 (120), 1340 (121), 1420 (122), 1400 (125), 1260 (135), 1220 (155), 1230 (156), 1440 (166), 2410 (201), 2420 (202), 2430 (203), 2431 (204), 2540 (255), 2561 (261), 2560 (265)
  • Multimedia, Graphic Design
    • MGD 1011 (111), 1012 (112), 1013 (114)

Institutional Challenge Exams are the way ACC abides by Colorado Revised Statutes 23-1-125, which requires public institutions of higher education to offer students an option for testing out of core courses.

Published Guides (including military)

Published guides contain credit recommendations made by reputable third-party organizations for certain trainings and / or credentials. Approved published guides include the American Council on Education (ACE), National Guide to College Credit for Workplace Training, the ACE Military Guide, and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).

Additionally, credit for learning gained in the U.S. military (if applicable to a student’s declared degree or certificate at ACC) is generally transferred based upon ACE credit recommendations found on a Joint Service Transcript (JST) for current or former Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy personnel. Air Force personnel will have their credit documented on a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript.

To be evaluated for possible credit, you should order your official transcript from the provider (JST, CCAF) or third-party organization (ACE, NCCRS, etc.) and have it sent directly from the issuing organization to ACC for evaluation: Arapahoe Community College, Attention: Records, Campus Box 14, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, P.O. Box 9002, Littleton, CO 80160.

Portfolio Assessment

Knowledge and skills acquired through work and lifelong learning may be evaluated and validated through a formal portfolio assessment process. For more information about the portfolio assessment process, please contact the ACC Graduation and Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator at 303.797.5630.

We currently offer portfolio assessments for:

  • Art
    • ART 1201 and 1301
  • Communication
    • COM 1150
  • Computer Information Systems
    • CIS 2087
  • English
    • ENG 1031
  • Photography
    • PHO 1021
  • Management
    • MAN 1028
  • Marketing
    • MAR 1060
  • Medical Assisting Professional
    • MAP 1010
  • Music
    • MUS 1031

Industry and Workplace Credit

ACC may evaluate non-collegiate instructional programs that result in industry certification, professional licensure, apprenticeship completion, and other workplace skills development. Faculty subject-matter experts will evaluate the prior learning and identify if the learning warrants the awarding of credit.

At ACC, our most recognized industry certifications for credit are:

Professional Licensure / CertificationApplied to ACC DegreeNumber of Credits AwardedCourses Considered Satisfied
AAPC Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)AAS - Health Information Technology13HIT 2020 (220), HIT 2021 (221), HIT 2031 (231), and HIT 2041 (241)
AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC)AAS - Health Information Technology6HIT 1005 (105) and HIT 2041 (241)
AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)AAS - Health Information Technology13HIT 2020 (220), HIT 2021 (221), HIT 2031 (231), and HIT 2041 (241)
ASE G1 - Auto Maintenance and Light RepairAAS - Automotive Service Technology7ASE 1001, ASE 1003, ASE 1020, and ASE 2050
ASE A1 - Engine RepairAAS - Automotive Service Technology9ASE 1030, ASE 1060, ASE 1061, and ASE 1062
ASE A2 - Automatic Transmission / TransaxleAAS - Automotive Service Technology6ASE 2050, ASE 2051, and ASE 2052
ASE A3 - Manual Drive Train and AxlesAAS - Automotive Service Technology7ASE 1051, ASE 1052, ASE 1053, and ASE 1054
ASE A4 - Suspension and SteeringAAS - Automotive Service Technology6ASE 1040, ASE 1041, and ASE 2040
ASE A5 - BrakesAAS - Automotive Service Technology6ASE 1010, ASE 1011, and ASE 2010
ASE A6 - Electrical / Electronic SystemsAAS - Automotive Service Technology17ASE 1020, ASE 1022, ASE 1023, ASE 1070, ASE 1071, ASE 1072, and ASE 2021
ASE A7 - Heating and Air ConditioningAAS - Automotive Service Technology5ASE 2064 and ASE 2065
ASE A8 - Engine PerformanceAAS - Automotive Service Technology10ASE 1034, ASE 2031, ASE 2033, and ASE 2035
AutoCADAAS - Engineering Graphics Technologies, Certificates - Computer Aided Drafting6CAD 1101 (101), CAD 1102 (102)
Child Development Associate (CDA)AA - Early Childhood Teacher Transfer degree, Certificate - Early Childhood Education (all)3ECE 1011 (101)
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)AAS - Computer Network Technology10CNG 2026 (260) and CNG 2061 (261)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)AAS - Computer Network Technology20CNG 2060 (260), CNG 2061 (261), CNG 2062 (262) and CNG 2063 (263)
CompTIA A+AAS - Computer Network Technology8CNG 1021 (121) and CNG 1022 (122)
CompTIA Cloud+AAS - Computer Network Technology3CNG 1042 (142)
CompTIA Network+AAS - Computer Network Technology6CNG 1024 (124) and CNG 1025 (125)
CompTIA PenTest+AAS - Computer Network Technology3CNG 2056 (256)
CompTIA Project+AAS - Computer Network Technology, AAS - Computer Information Systems3CIS 2002 (202)
CompTIA Security+AAS - Computer Network Technology3CNG 1032 (132)
CO Practical Nurse LicenseNursing, AAS PN to RN21NUR 1009, NUR 1006, NUR 1012, NUR 1050
FEMA Leadership in SupervisionBAS - Advanced Paramedic Practitioner and BAS - Emergency Service Administration3ESA 3000
Medical Assistant Apprenticeship ProgramCertificate - Medical Assistant24HPR 1008 (106), HPR 1040 (178), MAP 1010 (110), MOT 1025 (125), MOT 1026 (133), MOT 1027 (135), MOT 136, and MAP 1050 (150)
Microsoft Office Specialist CertificationN/A3CIS 1018
NREMT - ParamedicAAS - Paramedicine45EMS 2025 (225), EMS 2026 (226), EMS 2027 (227), EMS 2028 (228), EMS 2029 (229), EMS 2030 (230), EMS 2031 (231), EMS 2032 (232), EMS 2033 (233), EMS 2034 (234), EMS 2035 (235), EMS 2036 (236), EMS 2037 (237), EMS 2080 (280), and EMS 2081 (281)
OSHA 10 General IndustryAAS - Mechatronics Engineering Technology1OSH 1300 (117)
Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST)AAS - Law Enforcement40LEA 1001 (101), LEA 1002 (102), LEA 1003 (103), LEA 1004 (104), LEA 1005 (105), LEA 1006 (106), LEA 1007 (107), LEA 1008 (108), PED 1010 (110), and PED 1002 (102)
Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST)AAS - Criminal Justice18LEA 1001 (101) and LEA 1002 (102)


For more information about the evaluation of this type of non-collegiate instruction please contact the ACC Graduation and Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator.

Early Childhood Education Credit for Prior Learning

The Early Childhood Education CPL is a structured process through which students can bridge their professional experience with college-level competencies by showcasing their acquired knowledge, comprehension, and practical abilities. Utilizing an exam and portfolio, students have the opportunity to earn college credit in any of the following courses: ECE 1011, ECE 1031, ECE 1111, and ECE 2641. Complete the Early Childhood Education Credit for Prior Learning Form to get started. Check out the ECE web page for information on ACC's Early Childhood Education programs.

Costs

Costs

Challenge Exam:

Credits

Charge / credit

Total

1

$45.00

$45.00

2

$45.00

$90.00

3

$45.00

$135.00

4

$45.00

$180.00

5

$45.00

$225.00

Portfolio:

Credits

Charge / credit

Total

1

$65.00

$65.00

2

$65.00

$130.00

3

$65.00

$190.00

4

$65.00

$255.00

5

$65.00

$320.00

Cert / Licensure:

Credits

Charge

1

$75.00

2

$75.00

3

$75.00

4

$75.00

5

$75.00