External Credit

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Granting Transfer Credit

Any applicant who is degree seeking and has attended any institution of higher learning will be considered a transfer student. Transcripts will be required from high school (or GED scores if applicable) and from all colleges or universities attended. Volunteer State Community College generally accepts credits from other institutions of higher education. All collegiate level coursework for each transfer student who is degree seeking or seeking a technical certificate, will be evaluated according to the following criteria: (1) course similarity within the programs enrolled in at Volunteer State Community College; (2) course content equivalent to course taught at the same level at Volunteer State Community College; (3) same credentialing requirements for faculty at the transferring institution. In some cases Volunteer State Community College may request additional information before awarding credit on a course by course basis.

Transcripts will be evaluated prior to, or during the initial term of enrollment and students notified via mail of credits awarded as evaluations are completed. Only grades of “C” or higher will be accepted for credit. Transfer grades are not calculated in the Volunteer State Community College grade point average. Credit for courses not corresponding with the curriculum at Volunteer State Community College may be entered on the transcript as elective credits. Students who transfer credit that was taken more than twenty years ago must validate that credit by completing at least 18 hours of satisfactory work with a 2.0 grade point average at Volunteer State Community College. The transfer credit will not be posted to the student’s academic record until the work has been validated.

A student transferring from another institution of higher learning may be permitted to attend Vol State for one semester regardless of academic standing at the last institution attended. Students transferring with a quality point average below 1.500 for the last term of enrollment, or not in good standing at the last institution attended, will be admitted on probation. Transfer students will be notified of probation status by the Office of Records and Registration.

Upon completion of the initial term of enrollment, the student’s eligibility for continued enrollment will be determined by the academic status and retention standards of Volunteer State. Transfer students who have credit for developmental studies courses (reading, writing, math, study skills) at non-TBR institutions may receive credit for those courses pending review and approval.

Transfer students who have not completed a college-level English composition and/or college-level math course with a grade of “C” or better will be assessed upon entry to the College following the assessment and placement procedures; *i.e., students with valid (less than three years old) Enhanced ACT scores will be screened and, depending on those scores, may be required to take the appropriate placement test. Transfer students who have not been assessed at a TBR institution or completed any college-level courses in English composition or college-level math will be assessed according to the College’s assessment and placement procedures.

Maximum External Credit Allowed From Various Sources

Not more than a total of 36 semester hours of credit can be granted by Vol State through any combination of external sources: credit granted for service in the Armed Forces (including physical education credit and credit for courses offered through the United States Armed Forces Institute or other service schools), advanced placement credit (the Advanced Placement Program and College-Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, credit by examination, or previous training or work experience qualifying for degree credit.)

Should a student be granted the maximum total of 36 semester hours of credit through external sources, he/she must still complete all specific degree requirements as given in an outlined Program of Study in order to receive an associate degree at Vol State. Students must meet the 24 semester hour residence requirement and a minimum of 20 of the final 26 hours must be completed at Volunteer State.

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Correspondence or Extension Credit

Volunteer State Community College accepts a maximum of 15 semester hours earned by correspondence and/or extension, provided that such credits are taken from an institution which is a member of the University Extension Association, the Teacher College Extension Association, or the appropriate regional accrediting association.

Prior to a student’s initial registration at Vol State as a regular student, the Office of Records and Registration will determine the acceptability of extension and/or correspondence earned at other institutions. After the student has been admitted as a regular student, whether he/she is a beginning freshman or a transfer student, he/she will not be given credit applicable to any Vol State degree for subsequent correspondence or extension courses unless he/she has obtained, prior to his/her enrollment in such courses, written permission from the Director of Records and Registration.

No student is permitted to enroll for correspondence or extension courses while he/she is carrying a maximum load at Vol State.

A student who has completed 24 hours in residence at Vol State and who lacks no more than six semester hours, or two courses, toward completion of degree requirements may earn these additional credits by acceptable correspondence or extension work, or by residence at another approved institution.

CEU, Non-Credit Students

A student interested in enrolling in CEU, non-credit instructional activities is not required to apply for formal admission to the College. Adult students, 18 years of age and older, must complete a CEU application. A student 17 years of age or younger, or his parent or guardian, must complete a Pre-College CEU application. The parent or guardian must sign a waiver of liability.

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Credit For Service In The Armed Forces

Veterans who have completed one year or more of full-time, extended active military service will be excused from taking the required physical education activity courses except PED 107 (Lifetime Fitness). Veterans will receive four semester hours (less credit already earned) of physical education credit upon presentation of a copy of their discharge form (DD214) to the Office of Records and Registration. Reservists who have served six months active duty under the provision of the Reserve Forces Act of 1955 are not considered veterans; they may, however, be excused from taking the required physical education activity courses upon the presentation of a copy of their discharge form (DD214) to the Director of Records and Registration.

The Director of Records and Registration should be consulted to determine whether additional credit can be given for courses offered through the United States Armed Forces Institute or other service schools. An evaluation of service credit is not made until a student has applied and been granted admission to the College.

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Advanced Placement Credit

Volunteer State participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). A maximum of twelve semester hours may be given to qualified students on the basis of the Advanced Placement Program. To be eligible for credit, an entering freshman must place in group three, four, or five of the CEEB Advanced Placement Tests. Each applicant, under this plan, is required to take the Advanced Placement Test of the CEEB during his senior year in the secondary school. The tests are scored by the CEEB and sent to the College. Credit at Volunteer State Community College for the Advanced Placement test will be given as follows:

In order to receive VSCC credit for the CPS the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Be accepted into the College
2. Show validated evidence of the CPS certificate.
3. Complete eighteen (18) semester hours of approved courses at the college.

Credit for CPS Exam

Students having earned the Certified Professional Secretary’s certification are eligible to receive eighteen (18) semester hours of credit at Volunteer State Community college as follows:

In order to receive VSCC credit for the CPS the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Be accepted into the College
2. Show validated evidence of the CPS certificate
3. Complete eighteen (18) semester hours of approved courses at the college

Credit by Examination

Examinations for credit in courses offered by the College are offered to students who believe they have already mastered the material of the course through private study, technical employment, or the like. The College will recognize credit for exam offered through the Educational Testing Service, CLEP exam program. Local tests will not be developed for courses where CLEP exams are available. Students interested in taking a CLEP exam should contact the Testing Office for registration and testing information. Volunteer State Community College honors the following:

CLEP SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS

CLEP subject exams can be taken in order for credit to be obtained at another institution which accepts CLEP credit. Before registering for a CLEP exam that will be used at another institution, please contact the institution in order to determine if the CLEP credit is accepted, the minimum score needed and for which course credit is granted. The Testing Center offers other CLEP exams in addition to the exams listed. For more information concerning the expanded list of exams contact the Testing office.

Credit by Local Examination

Any student who has been admitted to the college may make application to take an examination for credit, up to a maximum of 12 semester hours, in limited courses in the division or divisions housing the course(s) in question.  No examination may be given if a CLEP test is offered for that course.  A student should be certain that he/she has at least the minimal preparation and background required before attempting any examination. Examinations may not be given in sequential courses numbered lower than those the student has already completed.  Exception to the 12 semester hour limitation may be made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The form of the examination and the method of administering it are left to the discretion of the Division Dean.  Proficiency examinations cannot be taken to repeat course work or be used in lieu of an “F” or “I” A student must enroll for the course and declare the intent to challenge by exam prior to the first day of class. Credit examinations may not be taken in areas where a student has been given course exemption without credit. Credit for examination is recorded on the transcript as “Pass, credit by examination.”

The following procedures will be completed after the student registers for the course to receive credit:

1. Student must submit completed application to division chair to challenge by exam.  Approval will be indicated to the applicant in writing along with other information regarding the process.   
2. Student may apply at any time during the year.  The Division will schedule the administration and the scoring of the exam in a timely manner.
3. The Division Dean will notify the student in writing of the results of the examination, and if the student has passed, will submit the proper forms to the Office of Records and Registration.  If the Credit by Examination is approve, the student must pay the current maintenance fee per credit hour awarded to have the course shown on the permanent record.
4. Credit by Examination is limited to one attempt per course.
5. If the student does not pass the examination, the Division Chair will notify the student by mail. The student may remain in the class and complete the course.

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Credit for Life Experience

Currently enrolled and former credit students may request consideration of college credit to be awarded for life experience. The Credit for Life Experience Committee has the responsibility of working with the student to evaluate the request and to determine if the Credit for Life Experience option is appropriate.

A $25 application fee per course for which a student requests credit is required and available at the Office of Career Placement, Cooperative Education and Service Learning or online in printable format at www.volstate.edu/placement, click on Credit for Life.  Students requesting Credit for Life Experience should apply at least one semester before they are considering enrolling in a particular class. Requests for Credit for Life must be submitted at least two semesters prior to graduation.  Credit awarded through any of the options listed is not considered part of the College’s graduation residency requirements.

Credit for Life Experience may be granted through two options:

OPTION 1: Credit for Courses offered by Volunteer State

Submission of a portfolio documenting professional experience that relates directly to specific course content offered by VSCC and approval of this portfolio by a college committee for up to nine (9) semester hours of credit

OR

Submission of the content and outcomes of prior learning through structured not-for-credit instruction offered by private or public agencies, verified by certificate or transcript, and approval of this content and outcomes by a college committee for up to nine (9) semester hours of credit.

OPTION 2: Credit for Elective Credit (Selected Topics Courses)

Submission of a portfolio documenting work or other experience that is worthy of college credit but does not match specific existing credit courses offered by Vol State and approval of this portfolio by a college committee for up to six (6) semester hours of elective credit

OR

Submission of the content and outcomes of prior learning through structured not-for-credit instruction offered by private or public agencies, verified by certificate or transcript, and approval of this content by a college committee for up to six (6) semester hours of elective credit.

Credit for Life Experience may not be requested for subject areas that offer CLEP or credit by examination options.

Students interested in pursuing Credit for Life Experience should contact the Office of Career Placement, Cooperative Education and Service Learning.

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Articulated High School Credits

Volunteer State Community College partners with certain county school systems to allow applicants who graduated from high school within two years of enrollment at VSCC and made at least a B in specified Career and Technical (Vocational) courses to earn college credits for those high school courses. A complete list of courses, participating high schools, and an explanation of the process to obtain credits can be found online at www.volstate.edu/CTE/ or by contacting the Admissions Office at Vol State.