Independent Directed Studies Policy
This policy enables students to initiate their own area of learning and to receive credit towards graduation. The policy also allows schools to recognize learning in a Ministry-developed or Board Authorized course that a student may not have completed. This policy is not a student entitlement but an enabling policy intended to encourage schools to allow students to pursue studies of interest.
IDS credit may be awarded by boards to students who successfully complete independent work based on the content of Grade 10, 11 or 12 Ministry developed courses or Board Authorized courses. A student may study in more detail the content of a course that has been completed, or study a subset of the content of a course that has not been taken.
IDS credits may only be used to satisfy elective requirements.
The maximum value for a single IDS course is four credits, but there is no limit to the total number of IDS credits a student may earn. The number of credits a student earns for an IDS will be set out in the plan developed by that student and a teacher, and approved by a principal. Grade 12 IDS credits may count toward the minimum of 16 Grade 12 credits required for graduation.
Procedures for IDS
Awarding of credit through an IDS should be governed by the procedures of the board of education.
For reporting and transcript purposes, schools must assign a letter grade and percentage for all credits earned through IDS.
How To Earn College Credit For Work Experience Through Professional Credentials
Many colleges offer students credit for professional credentials such as licenses, certificates or diplomas. Here’s how to get college credit for your professional experience with your credentials:
Evaluate if your license or certificate qualifies: Review the ACE’s “National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training” to help you determine if your professional credential can earn you college credit.
Contact your colleges: Research or talk to a representative at your college about whether they accept certificates or licenses as course credit. While many colleges follow the ACE’s guidelines, others may have their own internal regulations about which professional credentials they can accept for college credit.
Submit your credentials to colleges: Send copies of your licenses or certificates to your college. Some schools may have specific or additional requirements about how they’d like to receive documentation for your credentials, so be sure to research your college’s unique requirements.
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Earn College Credits At High School
You have the opportunity of earning college credits while you are still in high school to help you reduce the number of college credits you need to complete your chosen degree program.
To do that, you will need to participate in the advanced placement curriculum, which is administered by the college board.
The curriculum consists of standardized high school courses that are similar to undergraduate college courses.
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How To Earn College Credit For Military Experience
Many colleges provide students with college credits for their military experience. These schools collaborate with representatives from the American Council on Education to determine how many and which college credits to award for various military experiences. Boot camp and basic training, for example, may qualify you for college credit in courses like physical education and first aid. Some schools may also offer college credit for law enforcement experience, such as for being a police officer. Following are the three steps for receiving college credit for your military experience:
Research your school: Research if your current college or the colleges you want to apply to accept their students’ military experience for college credit. You might find it also useful to research which courses you can receive credit for at those schools, such as if they can serve as credits for your general prerequisites.
Review the ACE’s guidebook: The ACE has a free online guidebook about which types of courses colleges generally offer credit for in exchange for various military experiences. Reviewing this guidebook can help you evaluate which prerequisite courses or classes count toward a major you can get credit for based on your military experience.
Request a transcript: Request a transcript listing your military training and job from the Department of Veterans Affairs .
What To Look For In Programs That Offer Credit For Work Experience
At this point, we hope youre starting to see exciting possibilities for how what you already know can give you a head start on earning your degree. The next step is to find a program. Here are some things to keep in mind as you consider your options.
This part is crucial since the amount of credit you get from one school could be quite different from what you will be offered at another. This difference translates into both time and money.
It is a smart idea to talk with someone on the phone at each school youre considering to get an accurate idea about what you can expect.
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How Advanced Courses Can Affect Your Childs Future
If youve never considered the idea of your child taking high school courses in middle school, its probably because youre not sure what the benefits are. After all, not every school even offers this option, so the perks are not yet widely known by most parents. However, if your childs school allows this, its important to consider the advantages for your student.
Option 4 Get 15 College Credits For Your Life Experience
Yep. I said it. College credit for life experience. It doesnt get any easier than that!
I have a friend who was a stay at home mom for 17 years who was able to use her experience in management, organization, scheduling, and teaching to earn credit for a college degree. You have skills too that are JUST as valid as any classroom education.
Heres how to get college credit for your life experience:
Im going to use Columbia College in Missouri as an example of how the process works, but most schools will use similar methods to award credit. Also, each school will put a limit on how much credit for prior learning credit you can get. For some schools, its 15 hours, for others it can be as high as 30.
1 Check if your college awards credit for prior learning credits.
Always check first. Did you remember reading that anywhere else?
2 Read over the course descriptions.
Youll want to figure out which classes most closely align with your work and life experience.
As an example, Columbia College in Missouri has 45 classes that are available using credit for prior learning in classes that range from Watercolor to Personal selling
3 Meet with your academic advisor.
Youll want to get the full picture of what your school requires and familiarize yourself with the rules. Always important to follow the rules.
4 Write up your portfolio. This will take a lot of work. Just being honest. Youre welcome.
5 Hand in your portfolio to your advisor.
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College Credit Information Evening 9/1/2021 Presentation
Video Reocrding of the September 1, 2021 Parkway South High Webinar Presentation:
Presentation Slides from the September 1, 2021 Parkway South High Webinar Presentation:
Resource to check for the transferabilty of dual credit classes to the university of your choice. Use the college course name and number , and the college you wish the credit to transfer to. Transferology.com:
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Tips For Earning College Credits For Work Experience
CLEP exams, military service, and even professional licenses do not guarantee college credits. Students need to carefully research college policies on prior learning assessments and credit for prior learning.
Consider researching policies before applying to schools. Choosing a college with a more generous CPL policy can pay off.
Applicants should also research their specific certifications or corporate training programs to maximize their opportunities for credit.
Finally, check with colleges about their own prior learning assessment programs. Many colleges offer their own exams to test out of lower-division math, English, or world language courses. These programs help current students graduate faster.
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University. After earning her doctorate in early modern European history, Carlton worked as an assistant professor of history at the University of Louisville, where she developed new courses on the history of science, Renaissance Italy, and the witch trials. Carlton has published five peer-reviewed articles in top presses and a monograph with the University of Chicago Press. She also earned tenure with a unanimous vote before relocating to Seattle. Learn more about Carltons work at genevievecarlton.com.
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How Long Do College Credits Last
Most college credits donât expire, exactly. The real question is whether the institution you plan on attending will acceptâor transfer inâcredits youâve earned elsewhere. While each institution ultimately decides how many credits to transfer, accredited institutions have an agreement about what credits mean, which can make it easier to transfer credits to a new institution and lessen the amount of time it takes to earn your degree.
Learn more about how to transfer college credits and shorten the amount of time it takes you to earn your degree.
Expert Advice On Earning Early
Dr. Deniece Dortch
Dr. Deniece Dortch is committed to getting students into and through college successfully. Hailed as a graduate-school expert by NPR, she is the creator of the African American Doctoral Scholars Initiative and a Visiting Assistant Professor at George Washington University. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Teachers College at Columbia University, Vermonts School for International Training Graduate Institute, and Eastern Michigan University.
Q: What advice do you have for nontraditional students as they research their options?
A: Nontraditional students are one of the fastest growing college demographics. There are many opportunities to receive credit for competencies and skills that you have acquired outside of the classroom. DSST standardized-subject tests, Excelsior college credit by exam, military credits, and competency-based education are common routes to earning credits for a degree.
When researching these options, nontraditional students must make sure that their chosen institution accepts these credits before taking the time and perhaps spending money on exams. Personally, I have not witnessed one of these options being more beneficial than another. Not all schools view time served equally and may have different standards for competency-based credits, military credits, or other credits by exam.
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College Credit For Work Experience
Can you earn college credit for your work experience? Most colleges and universities grant academic credits for exam scores, military experience, workplace training, or professional certification. Sometimes called credit for prior learning, or CPL, these policies help students earn their degrees in less time. A prior learning assessment, military transcript evaluation, or professional license can shave months or even years off a bachelors degree.
Ways To Get College Credits Fast
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- To earn college credits fast, consider your work and life experiences.
- Transfer credits, take accelerated courses, and use prior learning assessments to graduate early.
- AP exams offer students the chance to earn college credit and skip classes.
- Accelerated courses let students take more classes and graduate ahead of schedule.
Students can take the traditional route to earn a degree or shortcut the system and learn how to get college credits fast. Many top colleges and programs award prior learning credits one of the fastest ways to earn college credit such as credits based on work experience, military training, community service, and independent service. Many exams also allow students to receive credit and test out of required classes.
Use this guide to learn about earning and transferring college credits to graduate faster than the average student.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Dsst Standardized Subject Tests
DSST originally began as DANTES and is a 37 subject-specific exam covering business, social science, humanities, math, the physical sciences and technology. The cost of the exam is $85 per exam plus administrative fees at the testing site. For military members, the cost is covered for the first time you take an exam however, you will have to pay your own examination fees the next time you take it. This test covers the following topics:
DSST provides upfront funding of CLEP test fees, for the first attempt on all exam titles, for eligible military members. Military members who retest should use the civilian test registration procedures to pay for test costs.
Thanks for reading this blog on Heres How To Earn College Credits In 2021. If you are interested in learning more about student life the following articles should be of interest to you:
How To Get 15 College Credits Fast
Although this guide focuses on showing you how to earn 15 credits fast, you can earn 30 credits or more using these methods. The key is checking your target schools credit policies to maximize your accelerated learning options.
These 8 methods can help you get college credits at a faster pace. But they are just a starting point. Feel free to mix and mingle these methods to maximize the number of credits you can apply to your degree plan.
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Getting College Credit Online
Online classes can be a great way for nontraditional students to balance work and family commitments while earning college credit at a more affordable price. Youre not taking classes directly through the college, but rather through an education company that partners with various colleges to ensure that your credits transfer. Here are five flexible options.
Straighterline
Accredited by the ACE, Straighterline offers a monthly membership service. Youll get unlimited access to 60 self-paced online courses in all of the common general education subject areas, including business, English, health science, mathematics, and social science. In addition to free eTextbooks, learners at Straighterline can take advantage of one-on-one online tutoring, free transcript processing, and live technical support. Members pay a $99 a month fee and a separate fee per course, starting at $59. Straighterline offers a credit transfer guarantee for students enrolling in one of its 130 partner colleges or universities.
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College Credit For Corporate Training
Workplace training programs and professional certifications may also translate into college credits. ACE reviews workplace training programs and recommends academic credit policies. The ACE National Guide provides additional information on credit for corporate training.
Some colleges grant credit for professional licenses and certifications as well. For example, many RN-to-BSN programs grant credit for passing the NCLEX exam and holding a valid registered nursing license. Industry certifications in healthcare, technology, or business may also qualify for college credit.
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How To Choose Between An Ap Or A Dual Enrollment Course
An AP course and its corresponding exam have content standardized by the College Board. The content of a Dual Enrollment course will depend on the high school or college that offers it.
In some cases, Dual Enrollment will give a high student a chance to study a subject at a higher level than a high school AP class could offer.
Dual Enrollment may also be perceived by a College Admission Officers as providing a more rigorous academic challenge than a high school AP course can.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Transfer Credits
Do you still have questions about transfer credits? Youre not alone. Check out these FAQs!
1. Do college transfer credits and course grades count against your future or current GPA?
Typically, the grade you receive in a completed college course will not count against your GPA.
2. What should I know if Im transferring from a foreign school to a U.S. college or university?
Transfer credits for international students are possible at many American institutions, both on-campus and online. Online universities offer the added advantage of enabling you to earn your degree without having to relocate overseas.
3. What courses and grades are typically eligible to become transfer credits?
According to CollegeTransfer.net, “Generally, college-level courses completed at regionally accredited institutions will transfer, provided that a grade of at least C is earned and the course is similar in content and scope to work offered at your targeted college or university who will assess your academic history.”
Some schools accept all passing grades. However, the higher your grade, the more likely your coursework will be accepted for transfer credits.
4. Do pass/fail courses count for transfers?
Yes, in most instances, you can turn passing grades in completed courses into transfer credits at other institutions. Contact your future school for help determining which courses and grades will count toward your degree under its policy.
5. How many credits can I transfer?
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