Credit for Prior Learning

Receive College Credits for the Life You've Lived!

Credit for Prior Learning at Berkshire Community College (BCC) offers you the opportunity to match your skills and experience with course content offered at the College.

Portfolio and Credential Reviews

• Portfolio Review: Students may develop portfolios to be reviewed by a departmental faculty to demonstrate they acquired the knowledge and skills that match course learning outcomes through life experience or employment.
• Credential Review: Specific training, licensure or certification may be equivalent to a BCC course. Submission of the valid credential is needed to earn course credit. BCC currently offers credit for the following credentials:

Certification	Course	Credits
MA Firefighting Academy I	FIS 101	3 credits
MA Firefighting Academy II	FIS 106	3 credits
MFA Hazardous Materials Technician (135 hours)	FIS 201	3 credits
MA State/Municipal Policy Academy (current within five years and currently employed as an officer by a state or local government law enforcement agency)	CRJ 121 CRJ Professional Elective	6 credits
EMT Basic Certification	FIS electives or AHS 111	6 credits 3 credits
ServSafe Certification	CUL 108	1 credit
LPN or CNA (present certificate/licensure with demonstrated practice of at least one year (within the last five years)	AHS 111	3 credits
LPN (for students accepted into the ADN Bridge program)	NUR 101 and NUR 102	17 credits
Taconic High School – Health Technology (within five years, Health Tech 1, 2, 3 (indicated on transcript)	AHS 111	3 credits
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certifications
Certified Coding Associate	HIM 102 and HIM 105	6 credits
Certified Coding Specialist	HIM 102, HIM 105, HIM 106, HIM 132	12 credits

*Please note there is a fee of $30 per credit for approved portfolio and credential review.

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Earn More Credits

• High School Articulations through CTE Linkages: The Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) Linkage Initiative at BCC works with local high schools to provide high school career vocational students with a smooth transition into the programs of their choice. Students in aligned programs may be able to receive college credit for some of their high school coursework upon entering BCC under the terms set between the College and their high school. To determine your eligibility, contact the CVTE Linkage Coordinator, Addie VanDeurzen, at avandeurzen@berkshirecc.edu.
• Dual/concurrent enrollment through BCC’s High School Bridge to College Program
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Students may receive college credit by taking an exam which assesses your knowledge in specific course content.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: BCC offers credits based on the score students receive on several AP Exams offered through College Board. If you completed an AP exam, review the course equivalences and required scores, and then contact College Board to have your official AP Scores sent to BCC Admissions at admissions@berkshirecc.edu for evaluation.
• Military Joint Services Transcript: Students may receive course credit for their military academic and work experience. Please have your transcript sent directly to BCC Admissions at admissions@berkshirecc.edu for evaluation.
• College Transfer Credit: Students who earned a C or better from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may request to have their official transcripts sent from their previous institution to BCC Admissions at admissions@berkshirecc.edu for evaluation.

 

Please note: For Associate Degrees, at least 25% of degree credits must be from coursework completed at BCC.  For Certificates, at least 75% of certificate credits must be from coursework completed at BCC.