Students who wish to receive credit for a course based on credit by examination must first submit the SWC Student Petition for Credit for Prior Learning then work with discipline faculty to complete all examination requirements. Courses must be approved by the SWC Curriculum Committee for students to earn credit by examination. Examinations are conducted and assessed by discipline faculty with support from the school to ensure that the procedures for the administration of this examination/ assessment are followed.

A student may earn credit for a course that is approved for Credit by Examination. A student may not earn credit for:

• Course(s) in which the student has previously enrolled and received credit
• Advanced Placement course(s) for which credit has been received.
• The purposes of removing a substandard grade previously received in the same course.

Other limitations on credit for prior learning are explained in SWC District AP 4235 Credit for Prior Learning. 

Students shall be limited to challenging three (3) courses per semester or one (1) course during the summer. The limitation of three courses per semester does not apply to Credit by Examination through high school / adult school articulation agreement. 

Grading for Credit by Examination shall be according to the regular grading system approved by the Governing Board pursuant to section 55023 except that students shall be offered a “pass/no pass” option if that option is ordinarily available for the course. (i.e. A, B, C, D, F, P, NP). 

Students must have an academic history with the College District (previously earned credit or noncredit from the College District) or be admitted to the College District. For all forms of CPL a student must be in good academic standing (minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA) to be eligible to petition for credit for prior learning.

Review the Credit for Prior Learning Courses  page in the catalog and the SWC Credit for Prior Learning website for a list of courses approved for credit for prior learning assessment.

(Title 5 Section 55002, 55021, 55023 55025, 55050, 55051, 55052, AP 4235 - Credit for Prior Learning)