Credit Outside of the Classroom
SAU Tech recognizes several methods for earning credit besides the courses taken at SAU Tech. Hours earned from these programs typically will not exceed more than 30 credits toward a degree at SAU Tech. Exception to the 30-credit hour limit must have prior approval of the Vice Chancellor for Academics.
Advanced placement (AP). The Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board has established a set of guidelines by which institutions must award course credit for advanced placement exams. This policy should be implemented by institutions for entering freshman in the fall 2018 semester.
- Course Credit. Under this policy, institutions should award course credit to students who score a three (3) or higher on any Advanced Placement (AP) exam. Credit awarded for any AP exam must be applied to the student transcript and, where appropriate, reduce the total number of required degree hours accordingly by either directly satisfying degree or elective requirements. In order to increase transferability, ACTS courses have been assigned to relevant exams.
These courses are outlined in the following section of this policy. This list is maintained by the Department of Higher Education and will be reviewed every five years.
- Advanced Placement ACTS Courses. The following table maps AP exams to corresponding ACTS courses. AP exams without a corresponding ACTS listed below will be awarded at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor for Academics.
| AP Exam |
ACTS Course |
| Art History |
ARTA 1003 Art Appreciation |
| Biology |
BIOL1004 Biology for Non-Majors |
| Calculus AB |
MATH 2405 Calculus I |
| Calculus BC |
MATH 2505 Calculus II |
| Chemistry |
CHEM 1004 Chemistry for General Education |
| Computer Science A |
CPSI 1003 Introduction to Computers or
CS 1001 Computer Science I/Principles of Computer Science |
| Computer Science Principles |
CPSI 1003 Introduction to Computers or
CS 1001 Computer Science I/Principles of Computer Science |
| English Language & Composition |
ENGL 1013 Composition I |
| English Literature & Composition |
ENGL 2113 World Literature I or
ENGL 2123 World Literature II or
ENGL 2223 Western Literature I or
ENGL 2223 Western Literature II |
| Environmental Science |
GEOL 1124 Environmental Geology |
| European History |
HIST 1213 Western Civilization I or
HIST 1223 Western Civilization II |
| French Language & Culture |
FREN 2013 French III |
| German Language & Culture |
GERM 2013 German III |
| Human Geography |
GEOG 1113 Human Geography |
| Macroeconomics |
ECON 2103 Principles of Macroeconomics |
| Microeconomics |
ECON 2203 Principles of Microeconomics |
| Music Theory |
MUSC 1003 Music Appreciation |
| Physics 1 |
PHYS 2014 Algebra/Trigonometry-Based Physics I |
| Physics 2 |
PHYS 2024 Algebra/Trigonometry-Based Physics II |
| Psychology |
PSYC 1103 General Psychology |
| Spanish Language & Culture |
SPAN 2013 Spanish III |
| Statistics |
MATH 2103 Introduction to Statistics |
| United States Government & Politics |
PLSC 2003 American National Government |
| United States History |
HIST 2113 United States History or
HIST 2123 United States History II |
| World History |
HIST 1113 World Civilizations or
HIST 1123 World Civilizations II |
- Additional Credit. (a) Institutions will be limited to awarding minimum credit for one corresponding ACTS course listed in the table above to students who score a three (3) on the exam. If in the best interest of the student, institutions may award a higher-level course for a score of three (3). (b) Institutions may choose to award additional credit for those students who score a four (4) or five (5) on an exam. While transfer institutions are encouraged to accept any additional AP credit awarded, the transfer institution will not be obligated to honor additional credit given beyond the requirement. (c) Institutions may award additional credit for prerequisite courses when credit is awarded for a higher-level sequenced course.
- AP Exam scores below three (3). No credit will be awarded for an AP exam score below three (3.)
- Course not offered. No credit will be awarded for an AP exam for a course that SAU Tech does not offer.
Credit by Examination. SAU Tech offers credit by examination for some courses. Students may petition the department involved and the Vice Chancellor for Academics to challenge courses at any time. Once the petition is approved, the student will pay the appropriate fee, and then the department will make arrangements with the student for administering the examination. For written tests, a non-refundable fee of $15 per credit hour must be paid to the Business Office before the test is administered. If the examination includes a practical portion, in addition to the written portion, an extra fee will be charged based upon the length of the practical examination. (Up to 15 credit hours)
Challenge Examinations. Challenge examinations may be taken in some courses. The student registers for the course and takes the examination during the first four weeks of class. The grade and credit will appear on the transcript. If the student fails the examination, he/she may continue in the course throughout the semester. Instructors consult with the Vice Chancellor for Academics or directors on challenge exams. (Up to 15 credits)
Internet Courses. Internet courses offered by SAU Tech are treated in the same manner as courses offered on campus. Requirements for faculty, support services, and instruction follow state guidelines.
CLEP. Subject examinations from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board are given by appointment at SAU Tech. Students may call the Testing Center at 1.870.574.4486 to schedule CLEP Tests.
SAU Tech awards up to 15 hours of college credit based on College Board recommended scores on CLEP tests. Credit is awarded after a student has completed 12 hours of course work at SAU Tech. Hours awarded from CLEP tests are not counted as part of the 15-hour residency requirement.
Credit for prior learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a portfolio-based assessment of non-college or experience-based learning that has been attained outside the sponsorship of accredited postsecondary educational institutions. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may include learning acquired from documented Work Experience/Training; Professional Organization Training; Adult Education Courses; Seminars and Workshops; In-Service Training/Instruction; Community Extension Courses; Military Experience; and Professional Certifications.
- Policies Regarding Credit for Prior Learning
- CPL is not awarded for experience but for college-level equivalent learning that entails knowledge, skills, and competencies that students have obtained as a result of prior learning experiences.
- CPL must be comparable to SAU Tech courses and must relate to the student’s educational objective(s). Academic credit will be awarded only for those courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements of the student’s declared certificate or degree program as outlined in college publications.
- A student must be registered for coursework at the time of the awarding of CPL. (Exceptions may be granted by the Vice Chancellor for Academics.)
- Credit for prior learning will not be recorded on a transcript until GS 1021 Portfolio Development and the semester in which CPL was requested has been completed. Letter grades will not be posted on the student transcript for any of the prior learning methods. Only the course title, course number, and semester hours awarded will be posted on student transcripts. (Exception for aviation; credits are escrowed and placed on transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)
- Students who receive CPL and plan on transferring should contact the receiving institution to determine the acceptability of transferring CPL from SAU Tech. SAU Tech does not guarantee transfer of CPL.
- CPL may not be used to fulfill more than half of the required credits for a degree or certificate.
- Subsequent requests for CPL must follow the same policies as noted above, including enrollment and completion of GS 1021 Portfolio Development.
- Prior learning will be evaluated only at the request of the student.
- Portfolio Development will add an additional credit hour requirement to a student’s degree plan each time it is taken for CPL.
- Steps for Pursuing Credit for Prior Learning
- Using the college catalog and degree requirements, determine the courses for which you feel you have relevant, equivalent college-level experience.
- Meet with the academic advisor for the appropriate degree program to request CPL. The academic advisor will make an initial review of the possible granting of CPL through the portfolio process.
- If initial review indicates possible granting of CPL, the academic advisor will recommend to the Vice Chancellor for Academics that the student enroll in GS 1021 Portfolio Development. Upon the Vice Chancellor for Academics approval, the student will register for GS 1021 Portfolio Development. During the portfolio course the student will establish accompanying documentation and written evidence supporting the student’s claim of prior learning. If deemed necessary, the advisor may request that appropriate faculty interview or conduct evaluations (including exams) when additional documentation is needed to substantiate the request. Documentation of prior learning may include certificates of workshop/seminar completion, letters from supervisors, and any other verifiable information sources that substantiate claims made for CPL. The academic advisor will appraise the prior learning and determine the number of credits to be granted for a specific course equivalency.
- At the conclusion of the semester in which CPL was requested and Portfolio Development completed, the academic advisor will complete a Course Substitution form noting the CPL and equivalent SAU Tech course credit awarded. The form will be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academics for approval. The Portfolio Development documentation and approved Course Substitution form will be forwarded to the Registrar to be placed in the student’s permanent academic file. Credit for prior learning will be recorded on the student transcript and noted on the official degree plan. (Exception for aviation; credits are escrowed and placed on transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)