Prior Learning Assessment
Aims offers credit for achievement and knowledge gained outside the traditional classroom through standardized tests outlined below. For consideration of transfer credit, have an official transcript from the testing authority sent to Aims. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit is another way to receive credit toward your Aims program for learning that took place outside of a traditional college or university. See the tables below for details about exams and other avenues for receiving credit at Aims.
Exam Name | Score | Equivalent Aims Course |
---|---|---|
Biology | 3 | BIO 111 (5 credits) |
Biology | 4-5 | BIO 111 & BIO 112 (10 credits) |
Calculus AB | 3-5 | MAT 201 (5 credits) |
Calculus BC | 3 | MAT 201 (5 credits) |
Calculus BC | 4-5 | MAT 201 & MAT 202 (10 credits) |
Chemistry | 3-4 | CHE 111 (5 credits) |
Chemistry | 5 | CHE 111 & CHE 112 (10 credits) |
Comparative Government | 3-5 | POS 225 (3 credits) |
English Language & Composition | 3-5 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
English Language & Composition | 3-5 | LIT 115 (3 credits) |
Environmental Science | 3-5 | ENV 101 (4 credits) |
European History | 3 | HIS 101 (3 credits) |
European History | 4-5 | HIS 101 & 102 (6 credits) |
Human Geography | 3-5 | GEO 106 (3 credits) |
Macroeconomics | 3-5 | ECO 201 (3 credits) |
Macroeconomics | 3-5 | ECO 202 (3 credits) |
Physics 1 | 3-5 | PHY 111 (5 credits) |
Physics 2 | 3-5 | PHY 112 (5 credits) |
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3-5 | PHY 212 (5 credits) |
Psychology | 3-5 | PSY 101 & PSY 102 (6 credits) |
Spanish Language & Culture | 3-5 | SPA 211 (3 credits) |
Statistics | 3-5 | MAT 135 (3 credits) |
United States Government & Politics | 3-5 | POS 111 (3 credits) |
United States History | 3 | HIS 121 (3 credits) |
United States History | 4-5 | HIS 121 & HIS 122 (6 credits) |
World History | 3-5 | HIS 111 & HIS 112 (6 credits) |
CLEP Exam Name | GT-Pathways Category | Minimum Score | Aims Course Equivalent(s) |
---|---|---|---|
American Government | GT-SS1 | 50 | POS 111 (3 credits) |
American Literature | GT-AH2 | 50 | LIT 211 (3 credits) |
Biology | GT-SC2 | 50 | GTP 992 (GT-SC2 Science, no lab) (6 credits) |
Calculus | GT-SC2 | 50 | MAT 201 (5 credits) |
Chemistry | GT-SC2 | 50 | GTP 992 (GT-SC2 Science, no lab) (6 credits) |
College Algebra | GT-MA1 | 50 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
College Composition | GT-CO1 & GT-CO2 | 50 | ENG 121 and ENG 122 (6 credits) |
College Composition Modular | GT-CO1 | 50 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
College Mathematics | GT-MA1 | 50 | MAT 120 (4 credits) |
English Literature | GT-AH2 | 50 | LIT 221 (3 credits) |
Financial Accounting | n/a | 50 | ACC 101 (3 credits) |
French Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 50 | FRE 111 (5 credits) |
French Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 50 | FRE 111, FRE 112, and FRE 211 (13 credits) |
German Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 50 | GER 111 (5 credits) |
German Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 60 | GER 111, GER 112, and GER 211 (13 credits) |
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | GT-HI1 | 50 | HIS 121 (3 credits) |
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | GT-HI1 | 50 | HIS 122 (3 credits) |
Human Growth and Development | GT-SS3 | 50 | PSY 235 (3 credits) |
Humanities | n/a | 50 | HUM 121 (3 credits) OR GTP 983 (GT-AH1 ART, MUS, THE) (3 credits) |
Information Systems & Computer Applications | n/a | 50 | CIS 115 (3 credits) |
Introduction to Educational Psychology | GT-SS3 | 50 | GTP 989 (GT-SS3 ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) (3 credits) |
Introductory Psychology | GT-SS3 | 50 | PSY 101 and PSY 102 (6 credits) |
Introductory Sociology | GT-SS3 | 50 | SOC 101 (3 credits) |
Natural Sciences | GT-SC2 | 50 | GTP 992 (GT-SC2 Science, no lab) (6 credits) |
Pre-Calculus | GT-MA1 | 50 | GT-MA1: GTP 982 (5 credits) (MAT 166, Aims doesn't offer) |
Principles of Macroeconomics | GT-SS1 | 50 | ECO 201 (3 credits) |
Principles of Management | n/a | 50 | MAN 226 (3 credits) |
Principles of Microeconomics | GT-SS1 | 50 | ECO 202 (3 credits) |
Social Sciences and History | GT-HI1 or GT-SS1 (at the institution's discretion) | 50 | GTP 986 (GT-HI1 History) (3 credits) OR GTP 987 (GT-SS1 ECO or POS) (3 credits) |
Spanish Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 50 | SPA 111 (5 credits) |
Spanish Language: Level 2 | GT-AH4 | 63 | SPA 111, SPA 112, & SPA 211 (13 credits) |
Spanish Language: Level 2 & Writing | GT-AH4 | 65 | SPA 111, SPA 112, SPA 211 & 212 (16 credits) |
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | GT-HI1 | 50 | HIS 101 (3 credits) |
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present | GT-HI1 | 50 | HIS 102 (3 credits) |
DSST Exam Name | GT-Pathways Category | Minimum Score | Equivalent Aims Course |
---|---|---|---|
A History of the Vietnam War | GT-HI1 | 400 | GTP 986 (GT-HI1 History) (3 credits) |
Art of the Western World | GT-AH1 | 400 | GTP 983 (GT-AH1 ART, MUS, THE) (3 credits) |
Astronomy | GT-SC2 | 400 | GTP 992 (GT-SC2 Science, no lab) (3 credits) |
Business Ethics and Society | n/a | 400 | MAN 102 (1 credit) |
Criminal Justice | n/a | 50/400 | CRJ 110 (3 credits) |
Environmental Science | GT-SC2 | 400 | GTP 992 (GT-SC2 Science, no lab) (3 credits) |
Ethics in America | GT-AH3 | 400 | PHI 112 (3 credits) |
Foundations of Education | n/a | 60 | EDU 221 (3 credits) |
Fundamentals of College Algebra | GT-MA1 | 400 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
General Anthropology | GT-SS3 | 400 | ANT 101 (3 credits) |
Health & Human Development | GT-SS3 | 400 | GTP 989 (GT-SS3 ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) (3 credits) |
History of the Soviet Union | GT-HI1 | 400 | GTP 986 (GT-HI1 History) (3 credits) |
Human/Cultural Geography | GT-SS2 | 400 | GEO 105 (3 credits) |
Introduction to Computing | n/a | 50/400 | CIS 115 (3 credits) |
Introduction to Law Enforcement | n/a | 50 | CRJ 125 (3 credits) |
Introduction to World Religions | GT-AH3 | 400 | GT-AH3: GTP 985 (3 credits) (PHI 115, Aims doesn't offer) |
Lifespan Development Psychology | GT-SS3 | 400 | PSY 235 (3 credits) |
Management Information Systems | n/a | 50/400 | CIS 267 (3 credits) |
Math for Liberal Arts | GT-MA1 | 400 | MAT 120 (4 credits) |
Organizational | GT-SS3 | 400 | GTP 989 (GT-SS3 ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) (3 credits) |
Principles of Advanced English Composition | GT-CO1 | 400 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
Principles of Finance | n/a | 65 | ACC 121 (4 credits) |
Principles of Physical Science | GT-SC2 | 400 | SCI 155 (4 credits) |
Principles of Statistics | GT-MA1 | 400 | MAT 135 (3 credits) |
Substance Abuse (formerly Drug and Alcohol Abuse) | GT-SS3 | 400 | GTP 989 (GT-SS3 ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) (3 credits) |
Technical Writing w/Essay | n/a | 50 | ENG 131 (3 credits) |
The Civil War & Reconstruction | GT-HI1 | 400 | GT-HI1: GTP 986 (3 credits) (HIS 203, Aims doesn't offer) |
GED Testing Service Exam Name | Minimum Score | Equivalent Aims Course |
---|---|---|
2014 GED Mathematical Reasoning Test | 175 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
2014 GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Test | 175 | HUM 1xx (1 credit Gen Ed elective) |
2014 GED Science Test | 175 | SCI 105 (3 credit science, no lab, category GT-SC2) |
2014 GED Social Studies Test | 175 | ECO 101 (3 credits) |
IB Exam Name | Score | Equivalent Aims Course |
---|---|---|
Biology SL | 4-7 | BIO 111 (5 credits) |
Biology HL | 4 | BIO 111 (5 credits) |
Biology HL | 5-7 | BIO 111 and BIO 112 (10 credits) |
Chemistry SL | 4-7 | CHE 111 (5 credits) |
Chemistry HL | 4 | CHE 111 (5 credits) |
Chemistry HL | 5-7 | CHE 111 and CHE 112 (10 credits) |
Economics SL | 4-7 | ECO 201 (3 credits) |
Economics HL | 4-7 | ECO 201 and ECO 202 (6 credits) |
English A Language | 4 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
English A Language | 5-7 | ENG 121 and ENG 122 (6 credits) |
English A Language | 4-7 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
English A Literature | 4-7 | LIT 115 (3 credits) |
English A Literature | 4 | LIT 115 (3 credits) |
English A Literature | 5-7 | ENG 121 and LIT 115 (6 credits) |
French Language B | 4 | FRE 111, FRE 112, and FRE 211 (13 credits) |
French Language B | 5-7 | FRE 111, FRE 112, and FRE 212 (13 credits) |
French Language B | 4 | FRE 111 (5 Credits) |
French Language B | 5-6 | FRE 111 and FRE 112 (10 credits) |
French Language B | 7 | FRE 111, FRE 112, and FRE 211 (13 credits) |
Geography HL | 4-7 | GEO 105 and GEO 106 (6 credits) |
Geography SL | 4-7 | GEO 105 (3 credits) |
Mathematics SL | 4-7 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
Mathematics SL | 4-7 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
Mathematics HL | 4-7 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
Mathematics Studies SL | 4-7 | MAT 121 (4 credits) |
Music HL | 4-7 | MUS 110, MUS 120, and MUS 141 (7 credits) |
Philosophy HL | 4-7 | PHI 111 (3 credits) |
Philosophy SL | 4-7 | PHI 111 (3 credits) |
Physics HL | 4-7 | PHY 111 and PHY 112 (10 credits) |
Physics SL | 4-7 | PHY 111 (5 credits) |
Psychology HL | 4-7 | PSY 101 & PSY 102 (6 credits) |
Psychology HL | 4-7 | PSY 101 (3 credits) |
Social & Cultural Anthropology HL | 4-7 | ANT 101 (3 credits) |
Social & Cultural Anthropology SL | 4-7 | ANT 101 (3 credits) |
Spanish B HL | 4 | SPA 211 (3 credits) |
Spanish B HL | 5-7 | SPA 211 and SPA 212 (6 credits) |
Spanish B SL | 4 | SPA 111 (5 credits) |
Spanish B SL | 5-7 | SPA 111 and SPA 112 (10 credits) |
Theater HL | 4-7 | THE 105 (3 credits) |
Visual Arts SL | 4-7 | ART 110 (3 credits) |
20th Century World History-The Americas HL | 4-7 | HIS 121 and HIS 122 (6 credits) |
20th Century World History-European HL | 4-7 | HIS 101 and HIS 102 (6 credits) |
20th Century World History SL | 4-7 | HIS 111 (3 credits) |
UExcel Exam Name | Minimum Score | Equivalent Aims Course |
---|---|---|
Abnormal Psychology | 45 | PSY 249 (3 credits) |
Anatomy & Physiology | 46 | BIO 201 & BIO 202 (8 credits) |
English Composition I | 40 | ENG 121 (3 credits) |
Ethics: Theory & Practice | 46 | PHI 112 (3 credits) |
Life Span Developmental Psychology | 45 | PSY 235 (3 credits) |
Social Psychology | 37 | PSY 226 (3 credits) |
A student may challenge a course for which that student believes prior training and/or study is adequate to meet the instructor’s course requirements. All Guaranteed Transfer courses (courses found in the Aims Catalog with an attribute in brackets) and some CTE courses may be challenged. This credit will be allowed based on the following conditions and procedures:
- You must be currently enrolled at Aims Community College.
- You may not use a course challenge for a course in which you are currently enrolled.
- Submit the Course Challenge form to the academic department offering the course. The department may request additional documentation.
- Upon approval by the faculty advisor or program chair and the division authority, you will be offered the opportunity to complete the requirements for the course challenge.
- Upon successfully completing the requirements for the course challenge, you will be awarded full credit for the course. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) will be recorded when the approved form is submitted to the Student Enrollment Office by the division authority.
- The credit will not affect your GPA, will not meet residency requirements and will not contribute to eligibility requirements for financial aid or veteran’s benefits.
Credit for business and industry training is based on recommendations contained in the American Council on Education (ACE) National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training, and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). To apply for credit, submit an official transcript to the Student Enrollment & Records Office.
Credit for learning gained in the U.S. Military is based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide credit recommendations found on a Joint Services Transcript (JST), or a Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) report for current or former Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy personnel or on a Community College of the Air Force Transcript (CCAF) for Air Force personnel. Service members or veterans can request a copy of their JST on the JST site and, if needed, can request updates or corrections to their JST with service-specific support. The JST eliminates the need for the DD Form 295.
For consideration of transfer credit, have official transcripts or other documentation of military training and occupations sent to Aims.
Military learning experiences must be applicable to the student’s declared degree or certificate program for credit to be awarded. Aims offers credit for achievement and knowledge gained outside the traditional classroom through standardized tests such as:
ACE ID | ACE Course Title | Recommended Credit Hours | GT Pathways Course Prefix, number, number of credits |
---|---|---|---|
AR-1511-0024 | Intelligence in combating Terrorism | Blank | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
AF-2203-0069 | Magnet Capstone | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-0702-0022 | Medical Laboratory Specialist | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
AR-0703-0027 v2 | Clinical Laboratory Officer | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
AR-0704-0029 | Occupational Therapy Specialist Advanced Leader (ALC) | Blank | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-0704-0029 | Occupational Therapy Specialist Advanced Leader (ALC) | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-0707-0011 v1 | Basic Environment Staff | Blank | GTP 989 (3) (ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) |
AR-1401-0009 | Finance Officer Advanced | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
AR-1402-0278 | Operations Research Systems Analysis (ORSA) Military Application | 3 | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
AR-1405-0271 | Aviation Captain's Career | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-1405-0304 | Civil Support Skills | 1 | n/a |
AR-1405-0304 v2 | Civil Support Skills | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
AR-1406-0096 v5 | Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification | 3 | GTP 986 (3) (History) |
AR-1408-0148 | U.S. Army Sergeants Major | 3 | GTP 986 (3) (History) |
AR-1408-0168 | U.S. Army Sergeants Major | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-1408-0293 | Departmental Resource Management | 1 | n/a |
AR-1511-0027 | Regional Studies | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
AR-1511-0027 | Regional Studies | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
AR-1606-0297 | Intelligence Analyst Advanced Leader | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
AR-2202-0001 | Democratic Sustainment | Blank | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
DD-1511-0001 | National Security Management | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
DD-1511-0009 | National War College | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
DD-1601-0020 | Basic Terrain Analysis | Blank | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
DD-1601-0020 | Basic Terrain Analysis | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
MC-0501-0007 | Career Course DEP | 3 | GTP 980 (3) (English Comp) |
MC-1732-0004 | Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exploitation | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
MC-2204-0159 | Cannon Crewman | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-0702-0015 | Medical Laboratory Technician | 4+1 | GTP 990 (5) (Science with lab) |
NV-0702-0015 v2 | Medical Laboratory Technician | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
NV-0707-0002 | Preventive Medicine Technician | 3 | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
NV-0707-0006 v1 | Advanced Environmental Management | Blank | GTP 989 (3) (ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) |
NV-0801-0009 | Operational Water Chemistry and Radiological Controls | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-0801-0009 v3 | Operational Water Chemistry and Radiological Controls | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
NV-0802-0014 v2 | Prototype Training (Engineering Laboratory Technician) | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
NV-1304-0013 | Aerographer's Mate, Class C-1 | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-1304-0013 | Aerographer's Mate, Class C-1 | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-1715-2239 | Electronics Technician (Navigation) Class "A" | 3 | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
NV-1721-0020 | Marine Corps Meteorological Oceanographer Analyst Forecaster | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-1721-0020 | Marine Corps Meteorological Oceanographer Analyst Forecaster | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-1732-0026 | Naval Power School, Enlisted | 4 | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
NV-1732-0026 v2 | Naval Power School, Enlisted | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
NV-1732-0031 | Prospective Nuclear Engineer Officer (PNEO) | 3 | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
NV-1710-0154 | Nuclear Field "A" (Machinist Master) | 3 | no equivalent |
NV-1714-0073 | Nuclear Field "A" (Electrician's Master) | 3 | no equivalent |
ACE ID | Occupation Name | Recommended Credit Hours | GT Pathways course prefix, number, number of credits |
---|---|---|---|
MOS-18D-003 | Special Forces Medical Sergeant | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
MOS-18F-003 | Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-351C-001 | Area Intelligence Technician | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-351M-001 | Human Intelligence Collection Technician | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-352G-002 | Voice Intercept Technician | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-35N-003 | Signals Intelligence Analyst | Blank | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
MOS-35P-004 | Cryptologic Linguist | Blank | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
MOS-37F-003 | Psychological Operations Specialist | 3 | GTP 989 (3) (ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) |
MOS-38B-001 | Civil Affairs Specialist | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-38B-002 | Civil Affairs Specialist | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-68W-001 | Health Care Specialist | Blank | GTP 992 (3) (Science, no lab) |
MOS-92L-001 | Petroleum Laboratory Specialist | 4 | GTP 990 (4) (Science with lab) |
MOS-971A-001 | Counterintelligence Technician | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-97B-004 | Counterintelligence Agent | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
MOS-97E-003 | Interrogator | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
NER-HN-004 | Hospitalman | 3 | GTP 990 (5) (Science with lab) |
NER-QM-005 | Quartermaster | 3 | GTP 982 (3) (Math) |
NER-SH-002 | Ship's Serviceman | 3 | GTP 987 (3) (ECO or POS) |
NER-SO-002 | Special Warfare Operator | 3 | GTP 989 (3) (ANT, PSY, SOC, CRJ, ETH) |
Many courses have a national, standardized test that you can take and transfer to Aims. If a standardized test is not available for a course, you may be able to challenge a course or submit a portfolio at Aims to earn credit for prior learning.
Credits will not be awarded simply for years of experience. Rather, students will be required to document and/or demonstrate what content relevant knowledge, skills or competencies they attained as a result of those experiences.
Please note that because of state licensing or program requirements, there may be some courses for which a challenge is not available.
How It Works
In order to be awarded college credit, a student’s learning must meet certain criteria as outlined below:
- The learning must be publicly verifiable. The student must be able to demonstrate to an expert in the field what learning occurred, and such an expert will be able to objectively measure and evaluate the learning.
- The learning must be equivalent to college-level work in terms of quality and must be equivalent to an approved Aims Community College course, based on the most current Aims Catalog.
- The learning must have a general applicability outside of the specific situation in which it was acquired. For example, credit will not be awarded for knowing the specific procedures for processing personnel applications that apply to only one company. Students must be able to generalize the learning to many situations, as it relates to the actual course for which credit is sought.
Please check with department to find out what courses are eligible for prior learning credit.
Contact Info
Hours
- Monday - Friday
- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.