Awarding Credit for Prior Military Experience 

Students who wish to receive credit for a course based on prior military must first submit their official Joint Services Transcript to the Veterans Services Office prior to submitting the SWC Student Petition for Credit for Prior Learning.

Per SWC Board Policy No. 5014 and BP No. 4235 Southwestern College conducts an evaluation of all previous education and training of military-affiliated students, and awards credit for prior military experience that is deemed equivalent to Southwestern College coursework. Students may receive up to 30 units of credit that may be used to satisfy general education, core program, or elective requirements. No more than 9 units may be used for elective credit unless approved by the School Dean and discipline faculty. 

Awarding credit for prior military experience will be based on a collaborative process between the Veterans Services Office, the Evaluations Office, and the discipline faculty based on common course description found in the Chancellor's Office for California Community Colleges Common Numbering System (C-ID) and pertinent recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) in accordance with the associate/baccalaureate credit recommendations contained in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by ACE. Credit may be awarded based on recommendations provided on a Community College of the Air Force transcript (CCAF), and/or the Army and American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS), and/or the Sailor/Marines American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). Students must provide a copy of their DD-214 or DD-295 to the Veterans Services Office for processing. 

All military service members who have completed their initial active duty recruit training and received an honorable discharge will be awarded the following educational credits:

• 3 college credits applied toward Health Education. Student must submit the SWC Student Petition for Credit for Prior Learning for HLTH 101. 
• 2 college credits applied toward Exercise Science. Student must submit the SWC Student Petition for Credit for Prior Learning for ES/A 220. 

Important: Credits awarded by Southwestern College for military experience will not automatically transfer to another institution and students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should consult with the individual college or university regarding its military credit policy.

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)