Credit for Prior Learning

• Students must complete a minimum of 25% of their coursework credits at Mitchell Tech to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate. Credits earned through any combination of transfer college credit or any type of prior learning may not exceed 75% of the program's total requirements.
• Academic credit may only be awarded for those courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements in the student's declared certificate, diploma, or degree program as outlined in the Mitchell Tech catalog and website.
• All credit awarded for prior learning will be given a grade of CR on the student's academic record (transcript). Prior learning credits do not count toward a cumulative GPA at Mitchell Tech.
• Academic credit may only be awarded for learning directly related to the course identified and publicized learning outcomes.
• All work assessed for prior learning credit must meet a minimum proficiency for all of the course competencies.
• Credits awarded for prior learning satisfy prerequisite requirements in the same manner that their course equivalencies do.
• Students requesting credit for prior learning must be enrolled in a specific degree, diploma, or certificate program at Mitchell Tech.
• All documentation, including portfolio materials, challenge examinations, or other materials utilized in the credit for prior learning process become property of, and are maintained, by Mitchell Technical College. The documentation will become part of the student's academic record.
• The credit for prior learning process must be initiated by the student requesting credit.
• A student may not request credit for prior learning past the add/drop date for a course in which they are currently enrolled.
• A student may not request credit for prior learning for a course that they have audited.
• Partial credit may be awarded if prior learning meets some, but not all, of the course learning outcomes. In such cases, students will be required to enroll in and complete the full course. However, tuition and fees will only be charged for the remaining credits not awarded through the credit for prior learning process.
• To receive prior learning credit for Student Success (SSS 100), a student must have:
  • Completed any degree program, associates or higher, OR
  • Served active duty in the military, OR
  • Have previously attended college and met all the following criteria: GPA of 3.0 or higher at previous college; completed a minimum of 12 credits; C or better grade in a "Freshman Experience" course; coursework must be completed within the last five years; courses must be taken after graduating from high school
• Students may appeal the decision on awarding credit for prior learning. To appeal a decision regarding credit for prior learning, students should follow Mitchell Tech's standard formal appeal process as outlined in Mitchell Technical College Policy 1045 and Policy 1046.

Advanced Placement Exams are administered primarily in the high schools. Mitchell Technical College does not administer AP exams. However, credit may be awarded to students who achieve a minimum score on an AP exam. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through AP exams.

Students must provide proof of a minimum score on the AP test in the form of an official AP score report or ACE transcript.

• To have an AP score sent to Mitchell Technical College, designate Mitchell Tech to receive the scores when registering for an AP test. Mitchell Technical College's school code is 7038.
• If students have taken an AP exam but did not designate Mitchell Technical College as a recipient, an AP transcript may be requested by contacting:
  • Phone: (212) 632-1780
  • Email: [email protected]
  • College Board website: https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/#/
• To order an ACE transcript, see https://www2.acenet.edu/credit/?fuseaction=transcripts.main

Mitchell Technical College does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through AP exams.

Mitchell Technical College does not administer the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). However, CLEP credits earned for courses may be accepted by Mitchell Tech. Before taking any CLEP examination, students should consult with their academic advisor and the registrar to assure transfer of the CLEP credit. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through CLEP exams.

Students must provide proof of a minimum score on the CLEP test in the form of an official CLEP score report or ACE transcript.

• To have a CLEP score sent to Mitchell Technical College, designate Mitchell Tech to receive the scores when registering for a CLEP test. Mitchell Technical College's school code is 7038.
• If students have taken a CLEP exam but did not designate Mitchell Technical College as a recipient, a CLEP transcript may be requested by contacting:
  • Phone: (212) 237-1337 or (800) 257-9558
  • Email: [email protected]
  • College Board website: https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/clep/clep-transcript-request-form.pdf
• To order an ACE transcript, see https://www2.acenet.edu/credit/?fuseaction=transcripts.main

Mitchell Technical College does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through CLEP exams.

The nationally recognized DSST Program allows students to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. Information on taking DSST tests is available at http://getcollegecredit.com/test_takers/

Listed below are the specific credits available at Mitchell Technical College for acceptable DSST exam scores. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through DSST exams.

A DSST transcript may be requested online at www.getcollegecredit.com. Transcripts should be sent to Mitchell Technical College Registrar's Office, 1800 E Spruce Street, Mitchell, SD 57301.  Mitchell Technical College does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through DSST exams.

Mitchell Technical College awards credit for professional certifications on a case-by-case basis. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned for certifications. The registrar and department will determine specific credit awards. Mitchell Technical College awards credit for prior learning if:

• There is adequate proof of the certification and its currency.
• The certification is equivalent to the learning outcomes in the appropriate MTI course(s).

For certifications not listed above, contact the Registrar to discuss your specific situation. There is no fee to the student to receive credit for applicable certifications earned prior to attending Mitchell Technical College.

You may receive credit for selected military training or experience. To do so, you must furnish Mitchell Technical College with a copy of your Joint Services transcript or similar official documents. ACE has evaluated many courses and schools completed within military service. Mitchell Technical College follows the credit recommendation of ACE found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services to award academic credit for these courses and schools. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned for military training.

A student may receive prior learning credit for Student Success (SSS 100) with proof of active duty service.

For Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard military experience, students should submit an online request a Joint Services Transript send to Mitchell Technical College.

For Air Force experience, students should order an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force to be sent to Mitchell Technical College. Order transcripts online at http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp#trans or call (334) 649-5000.

Mitchell Technical College does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through military experience.

Courses and programs offered through many organizations (AT&T, GE, AIB, Police Academy, etc.), including CLEP, AP, DSST, and military training, have been evaluated for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).  Mitchell Technical College accepts the recommended ACE credits when applicable to general education and technical courses offered at Mitchell Technical College. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe all credit transcribed from an ACE transcript.

If you have more than one type of prior learning (CLEP, AP, and military, for example), you may be able to save money by ordering a consolidated ACE transcript with all of your test scores.

To order an ACE transcript, see https://www2.acenet.edu/credit/?fuseaction=transcripts.main

Mitchell Technical College does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through ACE transcripts.

Students may be allowed to receive credit by taking an exam ("test out") for specifically identified courses. Within the first ten days of class, an instructor will notify students if a test out option is available for the course. A Test for Credit Form is available in the Registrar's office and must be filed with the instructor and a test fee paid to the Business Office prior to the student taking the test.

The non-refundable testing fee is $50 for up to three credits, plus $10 for each additional credit. If the test includes lab exercises, there may be additional fees assessed.

Students must achieve an 80% or higher score on the exam to receive credit for the course. A credit type of EX will be used to transcribe the credit earned from a test out. A test out may not be repeated.

Students considering testing out of a class should check with Financial Aid to determine how the test out might affect financial aid or scholarship status.

On a case by case basis, a student with an adequate level of learning may be allowed to take a comprehensive exam (challenge test) to prove mastery of learning outcomes in a program-specific course. 

If a student feels s/he has sufficient knowledge in a subject area, s/he may ask the instructor regarding the possibility of taking a challenge test to receive credit for the course. The instructor will determine whether the student should be given this opportunity based on the student’s background, the nature of the course, and the capacity to adequately test the student. Students may not challenge a course to improve a previous grade earned in that course.

A Test for Credit Form is available in the Registrar's office and must be filed with the instructor and a test fee paid to the Business Office prior to the student taking the test.

The non-refundable testing fee is $50 for up to three credits, plus $10 for each additional credit. If the test includes lab exercises, there may be additional fees assessed.

Students must achieve an 80% or higher score on the exam to receive credit for the course. A credit type of EX will be used to transcribe the credit earned from a challenge test. A challenge test may not be repeated.

Students considering challenging a class should check with Financial Aid to determine how the test out might affect financial aid or scholarship status.

Depending on background or experience, you may be allowed to take some courses without first taking a prerequisite course. To take a course without first taking the prerequisite, you must obtain the approval of the head of the appropriate academic department. Complete the Prerequisite Waiver Request Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. A $20 per course fee will be charged to apply for waiver of prerequisites not taken.

Credit for prior learning experience may also be awarded in some cases to students with verifiable work experience, including military experience and training, when no formal transcript, certification, or exam score is available. A portfolio may be submitted to demonstrate that your knowledge is equivalent to what you would have learned in a comparable Mitchell Tech course. The written component of the portfolio provides an opportunity for you to highlight your personal experience and to affirm that your skills and learning equate to the course you are challenging.

A prior learning portfolio is a detailed narrative and documentation illustrating college-level learning. The documentation provided will vary by course and may include samples of your work; awards and honors; employer letters of endorsement; certificates showing completion of workshops or seminars offered by business and industry; and any other relevant evidence of what you have learned. Preparation and content of the portfolio are the responsibility of the student and must be of sufficient breadth and depth to validate the student's stated learning.

The portfolio must include the following sections:

1. Course syllabus (available from the instructor or the registrar), including course description and learning objectives
2. Credit for Prior Learning Portfolio Form signed by student and business office staff
3. Academic Honesty Statement signed by student
4. Current resumé
5. Course specific prior learning narrative detailing your personal experience and learning that equates to the course learning objectives
6. Documentation to demonstrate learning of course objectives (work samples, awards, employer letters, etc.)

Once the portfolio is submitted, it is evaluated to determine if the student has submitted sufficient documentation to demonstrate attainment and mastery of the specific course learning outcomes and/or technical competencies. A personal interview or hands-on demonstration of skills may be requested by the instructor as part of the evaluation.

More than one prior learning portfolio may be submitted by the student if more than one course is appropriate to their knowledge and skills.

A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through submitted portfolios.

A non-refundable evaluation fee of $50 (up to three credits, $10 for each additional credit) per portfolio is required at the time the student submits a portfolio for evaluation.