Policies

Course Auditing Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) welcomes individuals who wish to enroll in courses for self-enrichment and without the opportunity to receive a grade, academic/transfer credit, continuing education units, or certificate of completion. Transfer Credit Evaluation Durham Tech evaluates transfer credit for equivalent courses with the grade of C or better from member institutions of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and other post- secondary institutions. View the Transfer Credit Award policy and procedure.

Academic Credit for Prior Learning Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) provides its students with an opportunity to acquire meaningful credentials and secure living-wage employment through education and training. View the Academic for Prior Learning policy and procedure. Credit by Examination Qualified credit students with relevant prior training or experience may earn academic credit for certain courses by examination. Read more about credit by examination in the Grading System policy and procedure and the Transfer Credit Award policy.

An additional 30-34 transfer credits (may vary by university) for nursing content taken as part of the AAS degree are awarded after an RN student has successfully completed university-level nursing courses.

Information about the colleges and universities that offer transfer credit for courses in the Associate in Applied Science degree programs completed at Durham Tech is available on the AAS Transfer Options webpage. Information about the colleges and universities that offer transfer credit for courses in the Associate in Applied Science degree programs completed at Durham Tech is available on the AAS Transfer Options webpage.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - Colleges shall award credit to a student who scores at or above the credit granting score of 50 or higher recommended by the American Council on Education at the time the college evaluates the student’s official score report.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme - Colleges shall award credit for scores of 5 and higher.

(5) Military Credit for Prior Learning SBCCC 800.6 states “At minimum, colleges shall award Credit for Prior Learning based on military education and training consistent with the standards adopted by the appropriate Military Prior Learning Academic Panel.” Additionally, the SBCCC notes that “A college may award Credit for Prior Learning for military training and education related to occupations and/or courses for which standards have not been established by an approved Military Prior Learning Academic Panel consistent with its local Credit for Prior Learning policy pursuant to the following: Air Force: Community College of the Air Force transcripts are evaluated by the college registrar or designated college official as a traditional college transcript. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard: Colleges should refer to recommendations from the American Council on Education for occupations and courses not currently evaluated by the Military Prior Learning Academic Panels or documented on the Community College of the Air Force transcript. History Note: Authority G.S. 115D-5; Eff. April 1, 2021” To meet the SBCCC requirements, Durham Tech will use the spreadsheet provided by the Military Prior Learning Academic Panel to determine which courses veteran students will receive credit for upon applying and providing the college with their DD-214. This spreadsheet lists different jobs, or Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), within the military and assesses the education attained at different ranks within these jobs to best identify which courses students who performed these jobs in the military should receive academic credit for based on their military education. Students whose MOS is not listed on the spreadsheet and/or who want the college to consider their full military education and training beyond their MOS for credit need to submit their Joint Services Transcript in addition to their DD-214 to the college for evaluation. The Joint Services Transcript includes recommendations from the American Council on Education for course credit based on completed and documented military training.

(7) Credit by Exam Credit by exam is a departmental or institutional examination for a community college course which demonstrates that a student’s subject matter proficiency is equal to or greater than the corresponding proficiency the student would have achieved had he or she completed the actual course. The examination may be handwritten, computer-based, oral, practical, or a combination of these administration methods. Students may receive credit by examination for selected courses. NOTE: The CE grade is only applicable toward the completion of a Durham Tech credential. The course is not transferable to another institution. Refer to each program’s credit by examination page for additional information. To qualify for credit by examination, students must: be enrolled in a credit program and registered for the course for which they wish to receive credit by examination; and score at least eighty-five (85) percent on the examination. (The required passing score may be higher for certain courses.) The examination may be taken only once, and a student failing the examination must complete the course for a grade. No more than ten (10) percent of the total credit hours required by a student’s plan of study may be earned by examination without prior approval from the Vice President of Academics and Guided Career Pathways/Chief Academic Officer. The following groups are not eligible for credit by examination: Students graduating with a CE grade as part of the sixty (60) University Transfer program hours. The CE grade is not transferable under the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA); Veterans who are financing their education through veterans’ benefits are not eligible for credit by examination because their eligibility requires attendance throughout the duration of the course. Career and College Promise (CCP) students. Credit by examination is not an option for high school students. Students interested in receiving credit by examination should contact the appropriate program director at least five (5) calendar days prior to the start of the term. The program director will provide the student with an application and information about the process, including deadlines and whether a pre-test is required. The student must complete their examination within the first fourteen (14) calendar days of the term. They must submit their application to the program director and obtain approval within the first seven (7) calendar days of the term. The program director will submit the student’s application, exam, and results to the dean. Upon approval, the dean will forward the documentation to the Vice President/Chief Academic Officer, Academics and Guided Career Pathways. Upon approval, the Vice President/Chief Academic Officer, Academics and Guided Career Pathways will send a copy of the documentation to Admissions, Registration, and Records. Admissions, Registration, and Records will verify the student’s enrollment and course registration; ensure that the ten (10) percent limit of credits earned by examination has not been exceeded; assign the CE grade; and maintain all related documentation. Students who achieve the minimum passing score must not drop the related course; they must remain on the roster to receive credit for the course. Students who fail to pass the examination must complete the course to receive credit.

policy and procedure . Course Auditing Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) welcomes individuals who wish to enroll in courses for self-enrichment and without the opportunity to receive a grade, academic/transfer credit, continuing education units, or certificate of completion.

Per DoD MOU paragraph 3.n.(1), institutions are required to “disclose its transfer credit policies and articulated credit transfer agreements before a Service member’s enrollment. Disclosure will explain acceptance of credits in transfer is determined by the educational institution to which the student wishes to transfer and [will] refrain from making unsubstantiated representations to students about acceptance of credits in transfer by another institution.” Durham Tech evaluates transfer credit for equivalent courses with the grade of "C" or better from member institutions of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and other post-secondary institutions. Refer to the Transfer Credit Award policy for additional information. Durham Tech currently grants Military credit for physical education under the Transfer Credit Award policy. The NCCCS Office will provide access to a database used by public institutions, allowing each college to expand credit for prior learning; updates to the Credit for Prior Learning policy will be implemented as they are approved.

These programs may require, degree completion, credit for prior learning, developmental or preparatory courses prior to admission.

An official high school transcript is required and will be evaluated to determine transferable credits.

An official high school transcript is required and will be evaluated to determine transferable credits.

An additional 30-34 transfer credits (may vary by university) for nursing content taken as part of the AAS degree are awarded after an RN student has successfully completed university-level nursing courses.

They are also eligible to be considered for course substitutions or credit by examination and qualify for academic recognition. They are not eligible to be considered for course substitutions, may not receive credit by examination, do not qualify for academic recognition, and are not eligible for federal financial aid.

They are also eligible to be considered for course substitutions or credit by examination and qualify for academic recognition. They are not eligible to be considered for course substitutions, may not receive credit by examination, do not qualify for academic recognition, and are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) welcomes individuals who wish to enroll in courses for self-enrichment and without the opportunity to receive a grade, academic/transfer credit, continuing education units, or certificate of completion.

Credit by Examination Qualified credit students with relevant prior training or experience may earn academic credit for certain courses by examination. Read more about credit by examination in the Grading System policy and procedure and the Transfer Credit Award policy .

Credit by Examination Qualified credit students with relevant prior training or experience may earn academic credit for certain courses by examination. Read more about credit by examination in the Grading System policy and procedure and the Transfer Credit Award policy.

Credit for Prior Learning Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) recognizes learning gained outside of a traditional college classroom. Eligible students may earn academic credit based on prior learning, helping reduce the time and cost required to complete a degree or certificate. CPL may be awarded through methods such as standardized exams, military training, work experience, industry credentials, and skills validation. Examples include AP, CLEP, DANTES/DSST, International Baccalaureate, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, and approved licenses. For more information, visit the RVC Credit for Prior Learning page.

Criteria for Evaluation of Transferable Credits Transfer credit must be earned at a regionally accredited institution. Whenever possible, RVC course equivalents for 100- and 200-level credits are awarded. If this is not possible, up to 21 credits of electives may be granted. 300-level (junior-level) credits will transfer on a course-by-course basis once equivalency is determined. 400-level credits require permission from the appropriate dean if a potential equivalency is determined. Students may be required to provide course descriptions or syllabi to complete the transfer credit process. Elective credit may be re-evaluated by submitting a syllabus to the Records and Registration Office. RVC accepts “D” grades only if the overall GPA is 2.0. Refer to course descriptions at the back of this catalog for minimum course grade requirements. Additional information is provided in the degree requirements for the Associate of Arts and Associate in Science, and in the degree and certificate requirements for Career and Technical Education Programs. Transfer credit does not affect the cumulative GPA at RVC. All new students intending to earn an Associate of Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Engineering Science are required to complete STU 100. It is recommended that this requirement be completed during the first academic semester. Students intending to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree or a certificate are not required to complete STU 100 but are strongly encouraged to do so. RVC does not honor substitutions or waivers made at another institution unless approved by the appropriate dean. Only degree- or certificate-required courses will be transferred into a student’s record. A maximum of 49 transfer credits will be applied. A minimum of 15 RVC credits is required to complete an RVC degree or certificate. Foreign transfer credit must be evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators. Military transfer credit may be awarded upon evaluation of the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST can be ordered at no cost to the student through the Joint Services Transcript website (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard). Air Force students must request an unopened copy of their official transcripts from the Community College of the Air Force. In response to the Credit for Military Experience Act (HB 3701), the college uses the American Council on Education (ACE) to conduct and facilitate academic reviews of military courses and occupations. Four (4) Fitness, Wellness, and Sport (FWS) credits are automatically awarded to students who have completed basic training. The evaluation of transfer credit may require course descriptions or syllabi. Course content must be equivalent to a Rock Valley College course to transfer as equivalent credit. Vocational elective credit may be awarded if Rock Valley College does not offer an equivalent course. Vocational elective credit cannot be used toward degree completion.

Credit for Prior Learning - As defined in College Policy 1.2.3.

CE: Credit by Examination - The grade of CE is assigned when a student has applied for and successfully completed the requirements for credit by examination. Students may receive credit by examination for selected courses. Refer to each program’s credit by examination page for additional information. To qualify for credit by examination, students must: be enrolled in a credit program and registered for the course for which they wish to receive credit by examination; and score at least eighty-five (85) percent on the examination. The following groups are not eligible for credit by examination: Students graduating with a CE grade as part of the sixty (60) University Transfer program hours. The CE grade is not transferable under the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA); Veterans who are financing their education through veterans’ benefits are not eligible for credit by examination because their eligibility requires attendance throughout the duration of the course. Credit by examination is not an option for high school students. Students interested in receiving credit by examination should contact the appropriate program director at least five (5) calendar days prior to the start of the term. TR/XT: Transfer Credit The credit type of TR is assigned when a student earns transfer credit for courses taken at other accredited institutions based upon evidence that the competencies required for the transferred course also meet the learning outcomes or competencies of a course offered at Durham Tech.

The College will update its institutional transfer equivalencies to ensure that appropriate transfer credit is awarded and determinations are inclusive of current course offerings.

Information about the colleges and universities that offer transfer credit for courses in the Associate in Applied Science degree programs completed at Durham Tech is available on the AAS Transfer Options webpage. Information about the colleges and universities that offer transfer credit for courses in the Associate in Applied Science degree programs completed at Durham Tech is available on the AAS Transfer Options webpage.

Durham Tech awards curriculum credit for prior learning (CPL) for the following learning methods: Apprenticeship State or Industry Recognized Credentials Continuing Education to Curriculum Credit Courses listed in high school to community college articulation agreements. Military education and training Standardized examinations Challenge exams/Proficiency Public Safety Training (PST) prefix courses In accordance with the State Board of Community College Code 1D SBCCC 800.1 through 1D SBCC 800.8 and 1D SBCC 800.10, CPL may be granted based on the following criteria: Documentation of prior learning meets or exceeds a demonstration of learning outcomes at the institutions’ standards for awarding credit for the corresponding curriculum course. Prior learning is directly applicable to a student’s declared curriculum program of study.

Applicants who have been enrolled in a post-secondary institution are required to submit official transcripts of previous academic work to Admissions, Registration, and Records to determine transferability of completed coursework. The entire transcript will be evaluated to determine transferability and award transfer credit for the Durham Tech course most closely related to the course transferred. Developmental and supplemental courses do not earn credit toward a certificate, diploma, or degree; The grades for transferred NCCCS developmental and supplemental courses must be a “P1”, “P2”, or “P3” for ENG 002 and MAT 003; “A”, “B”, or “P” for ENG 011, MAT 010, MAT 021, MAT 043, MAT 052, MAT 050, MAT 060, MAT 071, DRE 096, DRE 097, DRE 098, DMA 010 thru 080, ENG 070, ENG 080, ENG 090, ENG 095, RED 070, RED 080, RED 090; and "A”, “B”, or “C" for MAT 070 and MAT 080; Transfer credit may not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the total credit hours required to complete the intended program of study; Foreign language courses are transferrable in level one coursework without a lab. The College will award transfer credit for both a level one lecture and lab. Science coursework with a separate lab (AST 151/151A, BIO 140/140A, and CHM 131/131A) may transfer without a lab; however, to satisfy the program of study science/mathematics credit hour requirements, retaking the course and the lab may be required. During peak registration periods and adverse conditions, transfer credit determinations may be delayed. At that time, the student will be able to view any transfer credit awarded in Self-Service (transfer credit is recorded as a grade of “TR”). Transfer credit from another institution is not used to calculate cumulative, program, graduation, or Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) grade point averages. When transfer credit is in question, a student may be asked for supporting documentation (e.g., an official course description or course syllabus). Transcript evaluators will consult with the appropriate program director/chair to determine whether the stated reasoning and the related documentation support awarding transfer credit.

Students who do not complete the degree are eligible to transfer credits on a course-by-course basis. To be eligible for transfer of credits from the AE program to a BSE program, students must earn a “C” or better in each course and a program GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The Associate in Engineering Science Degree is designed to provide graduates with transfer credits to a baccalaureate engineering degree program. Degree can complete all of the general education requirements at Rock Valley College, they may be required by the program prerequisites at the transfer school to take three years to complete the baccalaureate engineering program.

Reverse Transfer Credit Reverse transfer credit is a program designed for students who attended a community college and then transferred to a university without earning their associate’s degree. Credits successfully completed at a university may be transferable back to your community college and used to determine if these courses will satisfy any remaining degree requirements for your associate’s degree. This is similar to the process on how credits transferred from your community college to a university - just in reverse. The community college will evaluate your university work and determine if credits taken at the University will fulfill any and all remaining requirements for your associate’s degree. All Illinois public universities and Rockford University participate in this partnership with Rock Valley College.

These students must enroll in ACA 122 at Durham Tech unless they meet one of the waiver criteria: They have transfer credit for ACA 122 from another North Carolina community college. They have transfer credit for 12 or more college credits at the point of entry into their associate degree program (either at the point of entry into Durham Tech or after a change of program).

The course is required for all university transfer students enrolled in the following degree programs: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), Associate in Engineering (AE), Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP), and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP). These students must enroll in ACA 122 at Durham Tech unless they have transfer credit for ACA 122 from another North Carolina community college.

All communication must demonstrate the institutions are making accurate statements about students’ ability to transfer credits to the teach-out institution(s) and disclose tuition, fees, and other costs at the teach-out institution(s).

If transfer courses are not accepted after all provisions of the University Transfer Credit Guarantee are followed, the college will allow the student to take additional Rock Valley College courses, up to the number of credits not transferred, without charge for tuition and fees.

Students currently enrolled at another college may take courses at Durham Tech for transfer credit to their original college. Visiting students are not eligible for course substitution, credit by examination, financial aid, or veterans benefits.