Credit for Prior Learning
Life experience equals knowledge. College credit equals opportunity.
Your life experience is valuable. Now you can apply that know-how towards earning your certificate or college degree on campus or online. With Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), we can potentially reward the knowledge you've gained over the years by translating those learning experiences into college-level coursework. Save money and complete your degree faster by demonstrating what you already know through workplace experience and training, military service, professional certifications, or volunteer service!
To explore whether you might qualify for credit for prior learning, contact Student Records.
Please click here for AP exam credit information.
Do you have outside training or work skills equivalent to one of our courses? Taking an HCC Challenge Exam can reduce your courseload. A few things to know about Challenge Exams:
- Credits earned through Challenge Exams are not transferrable to other institutions.
- Exams are computer-based and have a time limit.
- The cost for an exam is $35 (Payment is made in advance at the Student Accounts office. Please check their hours)
- Exams are administered through the Testing Center in the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development. To register for an exam, please fill out the appropriate form:
Visit our Testing Center page for descriptions of the courses that may be substituted by passing a Challenge Exam.
PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 1, 2018, the new CLEP exam fee will be $87. The current $85 fee will still apply to all exams purchased through June 30, 2018.
CLEP testing will continue to be free for eligible military service members, spouses, and civilian employees (eligibility details)
CLEP (the College-Level Examination Program®) was created to help individuals with prior knowledge in a college course subject earn their degree efficiently and inexpensively. That prior learning could have taken place through advanced high school courses, independent reading and study, online courseware or textbooks, noncredit courses, or on-the-job training.
CLEP offers 33 exams that cover intro-level college course material. These computer-based exams are offered at the HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center. By earning a satisfactory score, you earn the same amount of credit as a student who has successfully completed the same course through a college or university.
For Holyoke Community College Students: HCC provides credit for successful scores on 30 CLEP exams. Please contact us for information on available exams. You will find exam descriptions, sample questions, and study guides here. View the HCC CLEP Course Equivalency Chart.
For Non-Holyoke Community College Students: Please consult your institution's Advising Center and/or Registrar's Office for required passing scores and credits awarded. You will find exam descriptions, sample questions and study guides here. View CLEP 20178-2018 Credit-Granting Recommendations.
CLEP for Non-Military
Total Cost per CLEP Exam: $120 per exam ($85 exam fee paid directly to CLEP, plus $35 HCC proctoring fee)
Modern States might be able to pay your exam fee. Learn more.
Create Your CLEP Account:
- Go to www.collegeboard.org/clep to create your CLEP account
- Select your exam
- Select your score recipient institution
- Pay the CLEP exam fee
- Print your CLEP ticket to bring to your test appointment
Schedule Your CLEP Exam Appointment
Please note: All exams must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours prior to your preferred dates and times. Please be sure to schedule your exam appointment so you can comfortably complete your exam prior to our test center closing times. Click here to schedule your exam.
For Special Accommodations
For special accommodations (documented), please contact the Testing Center to make arrangements well in advance of your test date.
How Do I Get Credit for CLEP?
When you create an account with CLEP at www.collegeboard.org/clep, select your score-recipient institution. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to your school recipient within 7-10 business days. You will receive a copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination, except for College Composition which takes 2-3 weeks and will be simultaneously mailed directly to the address you provided in your CLEP account and to your score-recipient institution. If you opt not to name your score recipient when creating your CLEP account and purchasing your exam from CLEP, you can request a transcript from CLEP at a later time for a $20 fee by calling 800.257.9558 or submitting the Transcript Request Form available here.
What Should I Bring on Exam Day?
- Your Primary ID: Government-issued photo/signature, i.e. driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Your CLEP ticket
No cell phones, calculators, electronic devices of any kind. All watches, all bracelets, books, personal belongings, papers or food/drinks, etc. are allowed in the testing room. A light sweater or jacket is allowed, but you will be asked to turn it inside-out prior to entering the testing room. Secure lockers are available free of charge. Scratch paper, pencils, and earplugs are provided by the test center. Exams are 90 minutes long, except College Composition, which is two hours long.
CLEP for Active Military personnel
The HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center is a fully-funded CLEP partner. Through this program, eligible DANTES-funded test takers attempting a test title for the first time will have their $85 exam fee funded by DANTES, and the testing center will waive the $35 registration fee.
Please go to www.clep.collegeboard.org/earn-college-credit/military-benefits to review the DANTES eligibility chart and see if you or your spouse is eligible.
Day of Testing: Please bring your CLEP ticket and two valid forms of ID (your valid military ID and a government-issued photo/signature ID i.e. driver's license or passport)
For Special Accommodations
For special accommodations (documented), please contact the Testing Center to make arrangements well in advance of your test date.
How Do I Get Credit for CLEP?
When you create an account with CLEP at www.collegeboard.org/clep, select your school recipient. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to your school recipient within 7-10 business days. You will receive a copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination, except for College Composition which takes 2-3 weeks and will be simultaneously mailed directly to the address you provided in your CLEP account and to your score-recipient institution. If you opt not to name your score recipient when creating your CLEP account and purchasing your exam from CLEP, you can request a transcript from CLEP at a later time for a $20 fee by calling 800.257.9558 or submitting the Transcript Request Form available here.
I'm Ready to Take a CLEP Exam. What Do I Do?
Please go to www.collegeboard.org/clep to create your account, order your exam, and select you score recipients. Please print your CLEP ticket and bring it with you to your CLEP test appointment.
How Do I Schedule My CLEP Exam Appointment at the Test Center?
The HCC Testing & Workforce Certification Center is a fully-funded CLEP partner. Thus, both the $85 exam fee due to DSST and the $35 proctoring fee due to HCC are waived.
Please note: All exams must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours prior to your preferred dates and times. Please be sure to schedule your exam appointment so you can comfortably complete your exam prior to our test center closing times. Click here to schedule your exam.
What Should I Bring on Exam Day?
- Your active military ID
- Your Primary ID: Government-issued photo/signature i.e. driver's license or passport
- Your CLEP ticket
No cell phones, calculators, electronic devices of any kind. All watches, all bracelets, books, personal belongings, papers or food/drinks, etc. are allowed in the testing room. A light sweater or jacket is allowed, but you will be asked to turn it inside-out prior to entering the testing room. Secure lockers are available free of charge. Scratch paper, pencils, and earplugs are provided by the test center. Exams are 90 minutes long, except College Composition, which is two hours long.
Test Center Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Parking
Please park your vehicle in Lot D. If the gate to Lot D is closed you can access it via Lot E. Please click here to access directions to our campus and a campus map.
Always check with your academic advisor or registrar to determine which CLEP exam is right for you!
The nationally-recognized DSST program allows you to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. DSST exams offer students a cost-effective, time-saving way to use their life experiences and knowledge to accomplish their educational goals. Currently, there are almost 2,000 colleges and universities that recognize the DSST program and award college credit for passing scores.
Learn more about DSST.
HCC has pathways from our Transition to College & Careers (TCC) and Gateway to College programs that can lead to earning college credit. TCC and Gateway students who enroll in one of HCC's associate degree programs may be eligible to receive credit as follows:
- GTWY 108 transfers as SOC 110
- GTWY 141 transfers as ENG 095*
- GTWY 166 transfers as LAX 110
- GTWY 167 transfers as PSY 110
- GTWY 170 transfers as FRS 100
- GTWY 171 transfers as MTH 011
- GTWY 172 transfers as MTH 012
- GTWY 173 transfers as MTH 013
- GTWY 174 transfers as MTH 014
- GTWY 175 transfers as HTH 101
- GTWY 176 transfers as SOC 130
- GTWY 177 transfers as SOC 150
Notes:
- TCC/Gateway courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C- or better
- Credit for ENG 095 depends on the assessment of a writing portfolio by the HCC English Department
For more information, please contact Marie Troppe (TCC), Vivian Ostrowski (Gateway), or Xen Shabazz (Credit for Prior Learning).
