Currently-enrolled students may seek credit for required programmatic courses if documentation shows prior learning is substantially equivalent to the Greenville Technical College course requirements. Students seeking course exemption credit must submit a written petition using the Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) form. Transcripts and other documents provided for college use only will become part of an official record and cannot be returned.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Advisory Team is responsible for integrating and sustaining PLA processes to include maintenance of the policy and procedures. The PLA Advisory Team members will include representatives from Faculty, Advising, Student Records and Admissions and operate under the direction of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. PLA Advisory Team responsibilities also include oversight and recommendations on PLA documentation and strategic marketing.
Department heads or academic program directors will identify courses within their programs that may be eligible for exemption and determine exemption requirements. The following methods of awarding credit are approved by the college but are not used in Grade Point Average (GPA) calculations and will not generate grade points unless a grade of A, B, or C is earned. Exemption credit is only valid at Greenville Technical College, and it is possible that courses with exemption credit may not be accepted as transfer credit at other institutions.
- Exemption Earned through Examination – EE (written or practical)
Upon written petition from a student, the college may award credit by examination if evidence demonstrates special aptitude or knowledge on the part of the petitioner. Subject to prior written approval of the department head, academic program director or PLA evaluator, a student may complete an examination administered by an assigned exam proctor.
Exemptions will not be granted for courses in which a student is currently enrolled (dropping a course during the add/drop period does not constitute enrollment), for a course in which a student was previously enrolled, or for a course which has been audited. Exemption exams may only be attempted one time.
Upon meeting the exemption requirements, the college will give credit hours identical to the number of credit hours normally assigned to the course at Greenville Technical College. The college may credit these hours toward graduation requirements, and the exemption should appear on the student’s transcript carrying a grade of “EE.” This type of exemption requires submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Students Records.
The college will charge a fee as stated on www.gvltec.edu and the Student Application for PLA form for exemption earned through examination.
- Exemption Earned through Substitution
Substitution is the exemption of a required course based on the student completing another course that meets the program requirements. The exemption is at the discretion of a department head or academic program director. The college transcript will indicate the grade earned for the approved course substitution or a TR if the course substitution was a transfer course. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Course Substitution Form to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through Articulation with Noncredit Coursework – EN
When written agreements are established, the college may grant course exemption for documented noncredit coursework. The grade of “EN” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Student Records.
- Exemption Earned through Articulation with High Schools – EA
Written agreements have been established with secondary schools to grant exemption credit for a specified course for Technical Advanced Placement (TAP). The grade of “EA” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Student Records.
- Exemption Earned through Waiver of Prerequisite Requirements – EB
At the discretion of a department head or academic program director, the college may grant course exemption to waive requirements for prerequisite courses. The grade of “EB” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through Professional Certifications – ET
An external industry certification, which indicates a student has met the competencies of a required programmatic course, may result in exemption credit. Documentation of current and valid professional certification is required. The grade of “ET” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Student Records.
- Exemption Earned through Business and Industry Work Experience – EI
Students may receive exemption credit for knowledge acquired through work and other experiences. Methods to evaluate this may include demonstrating applicable skills or other documentation of acquired knowledge. The grade of “EI” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through Military Training – EM
Courses and experience completed in the military and at military schools as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) may qualify for exemption credit. Clinical and technological training must be approved by the appropriate department head, academic program director or PLA evaluator to be considered for exemption. The grade of “EM” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through Portfolio – EP
Currently enrolled students may request exemption credits through documented work or life experiences in the field in which a degree is being pursued. This type of prior learning assessment may be used when exemption credits cannot feasibly be granted by other means. As defined by the academic program, this requires a written submission of a compilation of documentation (i.e. portfolio) that demonstrates learned competencies, expertise, and knowledge from career, military or volunteer service. The grade of “EP” will appear on the college transcript. This type of exemption requires the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form and documentation to the Office of Student Records.
- Exemption Earned through International Baccalaureate (IB) Examination – EO
The college understands the academic challenges of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program and will award exemption credit to IB graduates that meet acceptable scores. Only IB-HL (higher-level) exams are eligible for consideration; IB-SL (standard-level) are not applicable.
Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Student Records/Transcript Evaluation for review. Transcript evaluation personnel will review and award exemption credit for the applicable course equivalent. The grade of “EO” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption does not require the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Examination – EO
The college recognizes the difficulty of Advanced Placement (AP) scores and will accept exemption credit for a score of 3, 4, or 5 on AP examinations. Credit awarded may vary according to subject area. Specific details may be obtained from the appropriate department head or academic program director. Students who plan to transfer to another college or university may have their AP exam scores reevaluated after transfer. The grade of “EO” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption does not require the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form to the Office of Students Records.
- Exemption Earned through College Level Examination Program (CLEP/Dantes) – EO
The college may award exemption credit to a student who makes satisfactory scores on CLEP subject exams. Department heads or academic program directors will predetermine course eligibility. The grade of “EO” will appear on the college transcript. There is no charge for this type of exemption. This type of exemption does not require the submission of the Exemption Credit Award Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Validation form to the Office of Students Records.