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. 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. The student must demonstrate mastery of a course through examination. Students who would like to take a departmental proficiency evaluation should first contact Enrollment Services. In all cases, decisions concerning the methods used and the decisions regarding awarding of credit on the basis of proficiency belong to the department. The student may earn no more than 50% of proficiency credit in the curriculum leading to a degree. Fees for proficiency courses at Black Hawk College include a $10 per credit hour tuition charge which is nonrefundable and a $1 per course recording fee. Special fees will be assessed for certain courses requiring additional evaluative materials.
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). 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). To use this option, a student must complete LIB 240. A student may only submit a PLP for courses approved by departments. A current list of courses is maintained in the Advising Center and with the ALS degree advisor(s). A maximum of nine credit hours may be earned toward any degree.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) – Black Hawk College participates by awarding credit based upon CLEP scores according to the established college policies given below. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) College Level Examination Program Equivalencies (PDF)
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national testing service that provides students an opportunity to demonstrate college-level learning from experiences outside the classroom. Black Hawk College participates by awarding credit based upon CLEP scores according to the established college policies given below. Black Hawk College grants institutional credit based upon CLEP scores only to students who are currently enrolled or who have earned college credit at the college. Transferability of CLEP credit is subject to the policies of the transfer school. All CLEP examinations are in addition to, not a replacement of, other forms of proficiency examinations, including departmental proficiency examinations. No grades are assigned for credit received through CLEP. Students who would like to complete Black Hawk College credit on the basis of CLEP scores should contact Enrollment Services for specific details and equivalencies.
Advanced Placement Program – Students who have participated in the high school Advanced Placement (AP) program may be eligible to receive credit and advanced placement. Advanced Placement Program Students who completed AP tests should request the College Entrance Examination Board to send their AP scored examinations to the Enrollment Services Office. Upon notification, students may then have any credit which was awarded placed on their transcript. A transcript recording fee of $10 per course transferred will be assessed. Black Hawk College grants credit according to the following Advanced Placement Transfer Credit chart. Request to Record Advanced Placement Score (PDF)
This program and associated tests are offered only in high schools. Students who have participated in the high school Advanced Placement (AP) program may be eligible to receive credit and advanced placement. Scores of 3, 4 and 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement examinations shall be accepted for credit to satisfy degree requirements. Certain scores will be granted credit for general education requirements, whereas others may be granted for electives.
Armed Service Experience – Veterans are eligible to receive credit for health and physical education and military training. Armed Service Experience DSST and USAFI Military Training School
Health and Physical Education Credit
To receive this credit, applicants must submit to the Registrar their DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). Veterans are eligible to receive credit for Health 102 (two credit hours) and for physical education (four credit hours) provided that the military service was of more than one year’s duration. There is no charge for recording this credit on the transcript.
Guidelines for the acceptance of DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST), previously known as just DANTES, and United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) are available from the Enrollment Services Office.
Military training school experiences will be evaluated by personnel in the appropriate department, and credit will be awarded only if there are existing college courses which parallel the military training received, otherwise elective credits will be awarded toward an associate degree as long as credits are college level. Evaluation will be based upon the American Council on Education’s (ACE) “The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services” as listed on an official Joint Services Transcript. Students with military training experience should first contact the Enrollment Services Office and request an official Joint Services Transcript be sent to Black Hawk College. There is no charge for evaluating transfer credit from a Joint Services Transcript.
High School Articulation – These agreements enable students who have completed particular high school courses to receive credit for specified college courses. High School Articulation The State Seal of Biliteracy, codified in Illinois Public Act 099-0600, provides recognition to high school students who have demonstrated proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. Upon request from enrolled students with a State Seal of Biliteracy on their official/final high school transcript, Black Hawk College will award college credit equal to two years of foreign language credit in courses that are offered at the college.
The college has a number of articulation agreements with area high schools. These agreements enable students who have completed particular high school courses to receive credit for specified college courses. For information about Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and requirements for articulated credit, contact the CTE Transition Coordinator at 309-796-5160.
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. International Baccalaureate (IB)
Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, subject scores of 4 or higher for International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subjects shall be accepted for credit to satisfy degree requirements. 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.