Credit for Prior Learning

If you attended another regionally accredited higher education institution or a nationally accredited career or technical college, we are eager to identify opportunities for awarding transfer credit towards your undergraduate coursework. We evaluate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis for graduate courses. 

At Champlain, you are eligible for up to 45 credits for an associate degree, 90 for a bachelor’s degree, and 6 for a master’s degree. Up to one-fourth of the credits required in an undergraduate certificate may be completed through transfer. 

To ensure we can award you the maximum transferable credits possible, we recommend that you do the following:

• Send us all of your official academic, JST and CCAF transcripts, even if they are more than 10 years old or are in a discipline other than the one you are applying to. We may not be able to accept all your transcript credits, but rest assured that if there is a way for us to give you credit and ensure that you complete your program with all the skills and competencies required, we will.
• Make sure the transcripts you send us are "official." This typically means they are sent in a sealed envelope, bear an official seal of the institution, and/or are sent directly from the institution to Champlain.
• If, after you apply and/or after your transfer credit review is completed, you remember attending another institution, send documentation in. We will continue to review transfer credits for you until the time you graduate.
• Check our Community College Agreements & Articulations page to determine if your community college has an agreement with Champlain College Online. 

At Champlain College Online we will gladly accept applicable and evaluated trainings and certifications as transfer credit.  

ACE/NCCRS Evaluated Trainings & Certifications

Champlain College Online accepts American Council of Education (ACE) credits, and credentials evaluated by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (CCRS).  

A member of our admissions team will help you determine if a training or certification you have completed has been evaluated by ACE or NCCRS for credit recommendations. If the certification has not been previously evaluated, they will work with you to submit a  request for evaluation. 

As with all transfer credit, these certifications and trainings will only be accepted for transfer credit by Champlain College Online if they are applicable to your program of study. 

There are several options for you to receive transfer credit for skills and knowledge you have developed through your life and career including national test based options, and Champlain College Online internal options. If you are unsure of the path you should take, speak with your advisor. 

National Test-Based Evaluation Tools

CLEP

One option for earning credit for knowledge you already have is to take the CLEP (or other regionally accepted exams). CLEP is offered through The College Board and is  recommended by the American Council on Education. CLEP is the best test-based option to earn college credits. 

DSST Dantes Subject Standardized Tests

Once only for Military Service Members, DSST is now available to anyone looking to receive college credit for knowledge earned outside of a college classroom. DSST offers exams equivalent to general education and college courses taught at the introductory level. 

NOCTI National Occupational Competency Testing Institute

NOCTI offers multiple choice exams that cover a range of occupational areas, including auto mechanics, plumbing, administrative assisting, and many others. The National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) has evaluated the NOCTI Business Solution exams and recommended them for college credit.

ACTFL American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages 

ACTFL has several options for you to demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of languages. The number of credits awarded will vary, based on the level of proficiency demonstrated.

Other Alternative Credit Providers

Study.com: Champlain College Online accepts specific courses from study.com for transfer credit. Visit our page on their site for a complete list of course equivalencies. Always speak with a Champlain College Online academic advisor prior to enrolling to ensure that credits can be transferred to your program.

Sophia.org: Champlain College Online partners with Sophia.org to offer self-paced online general education courses to our students. Visit our page on their site, champlaincollegeonline.sophia.org, to learn more about the courses offered. Please consult with your academic or admission advisor prior to enrolling to ensure that credits will transfer into your program.

Transfer credits from other alternative credit providers may be accepted as well. If you are considering taking courses from an alternative provider, please discuss with your advisor which course you are considering and from which provider. Your advisor will work with our program directors to determine whether the course you would like to take will qualify for transfer credit.

If you have already completed a course or courses from an alternative credit provider, submit your official documentation to your academic advisor or to Champlain's admission operations team to see if they are eligible for transfer credit in the program you are interested in, or are already enrolled in.

Please note that not all courses will be eligible for transfer credit, so it is important to speak with your advisor prior to enrolling in non-Champlain College Online courses.

A portfolio assessment is available to demonstrate college-equivalent learning acquired through training, work, and other life experiences. If you believe you have significant work and life experience (not previously evaluated for credit equivalences by ACE, NCCRS or institutional validation) you may want to consider developing a comprehensive portfolio.

If you choose this pathway, you will work one-on-one with a designated CCO staff member to substantiate your learning through written documentation and the collection of materials, such as employee evaluations, letters of recommendation, certificates, etc. Portfolios are then reviewed to determine credit award(s), if any, and course equivalences by the respective Program Director. The portfolio development and review process may take up to six months.

• Portfolios may be submitted at any time during their enrollment at CCO up until the last 12 credits of their degree program.
• Credit by portfolio assessment does not result in a grade and is not included in the calculation of a grade point average.
• Credit by portfolio assessment shall not be granted for any course previously completed or attempted, or for one in which  a failing grade or a withdrawal has been received.
• Capstone courses, senior seminars and practicum courses in the majors are not eligible for portfolio assessment.
• Portfolio credits are awarded only when a student has successfully demonstrated evidence of learning to the satisfaction of the evaluator--credit awards are not based on experience or time spent in a professional activity.
• There is no fee for undergoing the portfolio development or evaluation process.

The training you received during your time in the Armed Forces can transfer to Champlain College Online. Follow one of the links below to learn more about how to send your official transcript to us.

• Joint Services Transcript (JST)
• Air Force - CCAF Website

You may still have questions about transfer credit and how it works at Champlain College Online. Below are answers to some of the questions we are asked the most. 

Can I find out whether credits I earned at another college will transfer before I apply?

At Champlain College Online, we are passionate about helping our students complete their degrees, and we work diligently to be certain you receive the maximum transfer credits possible. To get a full picture of your prior education, professional experience, and any certifications or trainings that might be eligible for transfer credits, we require that you first complete an application. There is no cost to apply, and our application is designed to ensure that every potential transfer credit opportunity is taken into account.

How does Champlain determine if a course is eligible for transfer credits?

Decisions regarding transfer credits are based on criteria provided by Champlain faculty in the related academic area and comparing that criteria to the description of the course received from the college where you completed the course. See the transfer credit policy for more details.

Will My AP Courses From High School Work as Transfer Credits?

AP Scores of 3 or higher are eligible for transfer credit, provided they meet the course requirements in the program you are interested in. 

Do my grades transfer as well as my credits earned at another institution?

Credit hours for your transferred course are given full value, but your grades are not transferred to your permanent record at Champlain and do not become part of your cumulative quality point average (CQPA).

Will my credits for IT courses transfer?

Due to the quickly changing nature of IT, technical courses you took many years ago may have to be repeated because of substantial changes in the field or emerging technologies. You will be informed of this after transfer credit review.

Ready to Speak with Someone About Your Transfer Credit?

If you're a prospective student or an applicant interested in learning more about transfer credit opportunities, reach out to one of our admission representatives at 1-802-357-5188.

If you are a current student and would like to explore applying additional transfer credit toward your degree contact your academic advisor, who will be happy to assist you.