Earn Credit for What You Know
Credit for Prior Learning
Get credit for what you already know!
There are many different ways to get credit toward a degree or certificate program at Muskegon Community College.
Click the buttons below for more information about how to get credit for the knowledge, skills, experience, and credentials you’ve already earned.
Questions?
For any questions about getting credit for different types of prior learning, please contact us at OfficeoftheRegistrar@muskegoncc.edu or (231) 777-0211.
Credit policies: For information on credit policies, including transferring credit to MCC, earning credits, general academic policies, and the Michigan Transfer Agreement, see the most recent Muskegon Community College Catalog at www.muskegoncc.edu/catalog.
Click here to see AP test score equivalencies.
AP has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and national standardized exams and earn college credit or placement while still in high school.
- We only accept official score reports sent directly from College Board to MCC. Please contact AP Score Reporting Services at www.collegeboard.org.
- Only scores of 3 or higher will be considered for credit.
Muskegon Community College awards college credit for the exams listed below (click on an exam for more information about getting credit for the exams). Of these exams, only credit granted from Advanced Placement (AP) may be used to fulfill requirements of the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT (AP)
Click here to see AP test score equivalencies.
AP has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and national standardized exams and earn college credit or placement while still in high school.
• We only accept official score reports sent directly from College Board to MCC. Please contact AP Score Reporting Services at www.collegeboard.org.
• Only scores of 3 or higher will be considered for credit.
COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)
CLEP is a national standardized testing program, which offers tests in various academic areas. Passing scores may be accepted for college credit.
• The acceptance of, and determination of minimum scores for, the CLEP examinations are determined by the department authorizing credit for that subject.
• Students may earn a maximum of 30 semester hours of credit through the CLEP/DANTES examinations.
• Based on the rules of the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), CLEP credits may not be used to fulfill MTA requirements at this time.
• For more information regarding CLEP, check their website at www.collegeboard.com.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
Students who participated in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in high school may receive credit for completion of the Higher Level exam(s), depending on the subject area and exam score.
HOW TO REQUEST IB CREDIT
Students must request for official IB examination scores to be mailed to Muskegon Community College. Official IB scores may be ordered online at https://rrs.ibo.org and must be sent by mail to: Muskegon Community College, Registrar’s Office, 221 S. Quarterline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442. IB scores must be official and must be sent to MCC directly from IB.
For any questions about IB credit, email OfficeoftheRegistrar@muskegoncc.edu or call (231) 777-0394.
CREDIT EQUIVALENCIES
Equivalent course credit may be granted for IB scores at the discretion of the corresponding academic department at Muskegon Community College.
Below are the IB exams that have already been approved for MCC course credit. Students seeking credit for an IB exam that’s not listed below should still send official IB scores to MCC for consideration of credit.
| Department | IB Subject | HL Exam Score | MCC Course Equivalent | Credits Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English & Communications | IB Language | 4 | ENG-102 | 3 |
| English & Communications | IB Language & Literature | 4 | ENG-102 | 3 |
| Foreign Language | Spanish | 4 | SPAN-101 & SPAN-102 | 8 |
| Foreign Language | French | 4 | FR-101 & FR-102 | 8 |
| Foreign Language | German | 4 | GER-101 & GER-102 | 8 |
| Life Science | Biology | 3 | BIOL-113L&L | 3 |
| Life Science | Biology | 4 | BIOL-130L&L | 4 |
| Life Science | Biology | 5 | BIOL-130L&L & BIOL-131L&L | 8 |
| Life Science | Environmental Systems | 3 | ENV-110L&L | 4 |
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
DANTES is a national standardized test in selected areas and is accepted for college credit.
• The acceptance and determination of minimum scores for DANTES examinations is determined by the department authorizing credit for that subject.
• Students may earn a maximum of 30 semester hours of credit through the CLEP/DANTES examination.
OVERVIEW
CLEP (the College-Level Examination Program®) offers 33 exams that cover intro-level college course material. With a passing score on one CLEP exam, you could earn three or more college credits at more than 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities.
CLEP 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.
Anyone interested in earning college credit can take a CLEP exam.
Each institution sets its own policy regarding the acceptance of CLEP examinations and the amount of credits they award. Click on the following link to review CLEP information for MCC: MCC CLEP test equivalencies
At MCC, the acceptance of, and determination of minimum scores for, the CLEP examinations are determined by the department authorizing credit for that subject. Students may earn a maximum of 30 semester hours of credit through the CLEP/DANTES examinations.
NOTE: As per the Michigan Transfer Agreement, CLEP credits do NOT fulfill Michigan Transfer Agreement requirements so CANNOT be used as transfer credits
COST
The total cost to take a CLEP exam at MCC is $87 CLEP exam fee (per exam, payable to CollegeBoard) + $25 MCC test administration fee (per appointment, payable by cash/check/money order at time of appointment)
Each year, nearly 50,000 military service members as well as eligible spouses and civil service employees take CLEP exams to reach their education goals. Because the exams are funded through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), you could have your exam fee waived if you are eligible. Click here to see if you are eligible. MCC is a DANTES-Funded CLEP Test Center.
REGISTRATION
Register and pay for your exam on the CLEP website, CollegeBoard.org/clep. Choose MCC as your testing site during registration.
After you complete the online registration process, print your CLEP exam registration ticket. Scan and email your ticket to testingcenter@muskegoncc.edu
For questions related to the CLEP exam refund policies and CLEP exam registration ticket expiration information, please refer to the CLEP website: CollegeBoard.org/clep
SCHEDULE
CLEP exams are offered each week at MCC by appointment only. Exams typically take 90–120 minutes to complete depending on the subject and are administered on the computer. Due to space limits and time requirements, an individual taking a CLEP exam may be limited to one (1) exam per visit unless prior arrangements have been made. Call 231-777-0676 to make an appointment.
TEST SCORES
Students receive their CLEP exam scores immediately after completing the exam. The only exception is the College Composition, which is two hours long and takes approximately one month to receive a score through the mail. Allow three weeks for CLEP scores to reach your institution.
Visit the CLEP website for test information or study guides.
For any further questions about CLEP testing at Muskegon Community College, please call (231)777-0676 to speak with the CLEP test administrator.
