Nontraditional Credit

Students with wide varieties of educational experience can convert this experience into college credit. Credit may be earned by the following methods:

  • Departmental proficiency
  • Portfolios
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Advanced Placement Program (AP)
  • Armed Service Experience
  • High School Articulation
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)

Nontraditional credit is available only to persons who are currently enrolled or who have earned college credit at Black Hawk College.

 For any questions regarding credits that would not appear on an official transcript, please contact Enrollment Services at registrar@bhc.edu


Departmental Proficiency – This method offers students an opportunity to demonstrate on an individual basis their knowledge of a course and, if successful, to be awarded credit.


Portfolios – Students may attempt to earn credit for college-level lifelong or experiential learning through the writing and submission of a Prior Learning Portfolio (PLP).


College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) – Black Hawk College participates by awarding credit based upon CLEP scores according to the established college policies given below.


Advanced Placement Program – Students who have participated in the high school Advanced Placement (AP) program may be eligible to receive credit and advanced placement.


Armed Service Experience – Veterans are eligible to receive credit for health and physical education and military training. 


High School Articulation – These agreements enable students who have completed particular high school courses to receive credit for specified college courses.


International Baccalaureate (IB) – Credit will be granted toward electives and students may work with the appropriate academic department to determine whether or not an IB assessment may transfer as credit toward a specific Black Hawk College course.