Prior Learning Assessment
Northampton Community College

Earn Credit for What you Already Know

Northampton Community College understands that many students come to us with knowledge and expertise already in hand.  Whether you have served in the military, taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, have been part of extensive on-the-job-training or apprenticeships, participated in a non-credit program, earned certificates for professional development, taken online classes at a non-regionally accredited school, are fluent in a second or third language, or have spent dedicated years of service in a given career – we value what you have learned and, whenever possible, want to award you college credit for that work through our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program.

 

What does earning college credit for prior learning mean for you?

  • Fast-track your degree completion, certificate, or transfer plans. 
  • If you can demonstrate that you already have the knowledge and learning outcomes covered in a given class, you won’t have to take it and your transcript will reflect college credit for that class.
  • You can get a jump start on completing your degree or certificate by only taking those classes that you need. 
  • Earning college credit for prior learning will save you time and money.

Check out the information below to see how your scores from AP and CLEP Exams can be applied towards your NCC degree or how an existing bachelor's degree or non-credit certification can translate into credits at NCC.

 

*Credits from non-regionally accredited schools will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

For more information about other potential areas where you may be able to turn your previous experiences into college credit, speak with your academic advisor once you have applied the NCC. 



Review different options for PLA below:

The following table lists how AP Exam scores translate into credits at NCC.

AP Exam Score Credit Equivalency
African American Studies 3 HIST 121
Art History 3 ARTA 101
Biology 3 BIOS 107
Calculus AB 3 MATH165
Calculus AB 4 MATH180
Calculus BC 3 MATH180 and MATH181
Chemistry 3 CHEM 120
Chemistry 4 CHEM120 and CHEM220 
Chinese Language 3 MDLA105 and MDLA115
Computer Science A 3 CISC150
Computer Science Principles 3 CISC 100
English Language & Composition 3 ENGL101
English Literature & Composition 3 ENGL151
Environmental Science 3 BIOS 126
European  History 3 HIST153 or Generic HIST Elective for 3 credits
French Language 3 MDLA102 and MDLA112
German Language 3 MDLA Elective for 6 credits
Government and Politics: Comparative 3 Generic POLS Elective for 3 credits
Government and Politics: United States 3 POLS110
Human Geography 3 GEOG101
Macroeconomics 3 ECON201
Microeconomics 3 ECON251
Music Theory 3 MUSC 110
Physics I 3 PHYS101 
Physics 2 (Algebra-based) 3 PHYS151
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3 PHYS 151
Physics C: Mechanics 3 PHYS 101
Psychology 3 PSYC 103
Spanish Language 3 MDLA103 and MDLA113
Statistics 3 MATH 150
Studio Art: 2-D Design 3 ARTA 111
Studio Art: 3-D Design 3 ARTA 110
Studio Art: Drawing 3 ARTA 107
United States History 3 HIST113
World History 3 Generic HIST elective for 3 credits

Transfer Credit for Students Holding Bachelors Degree

If you've already received your bachelor's degree from another regionally accredited institution, see how your credits can be applied to a future degree at NCC.

NCC Program Total Credits Courses
Accounting 15 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Architecture 15 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Automotive Technology 21 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, MATH Elective, PHYS 152, HUMA 121, Social Science Elective
Biological Science 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Biotechnology 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SSHB elective, Gen Ed elective
Business Admin 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Science elective, AH elective, SIT elective
Business Management 21 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, MATH Elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
CAD 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Chemistry 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
CIT programs 21 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Comm Design 21 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, ARTA 101, SSHB elective, SIT elective, Elective
Comm Studies 22 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, Math elective, Science elective (Math elective)  
Computer Info Systems 22 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Science elective, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Computer Science 22 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Science elctive, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Construction Tech 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Criminal Justice 19 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, Math/Science Elective, Elective
Culinary 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math/Science elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Dental  9 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, Gen Ed elective
Early Childhood 12 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, ARTA 100 
Electrical Constuction Tech 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Electromechanical Tech 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Electronics Tech 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Emergency Services Admin 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SSHB elective, Elective
Emergency Services Tech 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, MATH 103, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Engineering 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Environmental Science 19 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math elective, Elective, Elective
Fine Arts 24 ENGL 101, ENGl 151, CMTH 102, ARTA 101, MATH 120, SIT elective, SSHB elective, Science elective
Funeral  20 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, SOCA 103, Math elective, SIT elective, Elective
General Studies 25 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math elective, Science elective, AH elective, SSHB elective, SIT elective
HCOA (Office admin) 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Hospitality 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Math elective, Elective
HVAC 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen Ed Elective, Gen Ed Elective, Elective
Interior Design 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151 CMTH 102, SSHB elective, Math/Science elective, Elective
Journalism 22 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, Science elective, Math elective, Elective
Liberal Arts 25 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, PHIL 201, Math elective, Science elective, SIT elective 
Marketing 21 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Math 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Med Assistant 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Gen ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Media Production 22 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, CMTh 126, Math/Science elective, Elective
Nursing 9 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102
Paralegal 25 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math/Science elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective
Radiography 15 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, Elective (D)
Secondary Education 9 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102
Social Work 19 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, BIOS 105, MATH 150, ARTA 101/MUSC101/CMTH110
Sonography 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, SIT elective, Elective
Special Education  24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, SOCA 103, MATH 118, Science elective, AH elective, Elective
Sport Management 25 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, AH elective, SIT elective, Science elective, Math elective
Sports Medicine 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, SOCA 102, AH elective
Theatre 25 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, PSYC 103, MUSC 101, Science elective, SIT elective, Math elective
Vet Tech 18 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, AH elective, SIT elective, SSHB elective
Web Development 24 ENGL 101, ENGL 151, CMTH 102, Math elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Gen Ed elective, Elective

Cambridge Intl. Exam Qualifying Score NCC Course Equivalency
AS Chemistry E CHEM 120
A Chemistry E CHEM 120 & CHEM 220
AS Literature in English E ENGL 151L
A Literature in English E ENGL 151L & Generic English Elective (3 Credits)

Students who have successfully passed a CLEP exam in one of the following subjects can also gain credit if they received the applicable credit-granting score or higher.

CLEP Exam Credit-Granting Score CLEP recommeded credit hrs Credit Equivalency
American Government 50 3 POLS 110
American Literature 50 3 ENGL 205 & ENGL 255
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 50 3 ENGL 151
Biology 50 4 BIOS 107
Calculus 50 4 MATH 180
Chemistry 50 3 Generic CHEM Elective for 3 credits
College Algebra 50 3 MATH 140
College Composition 50 6 ENGL 101 & ENGL 151
College Mathematics 50 3 3-credit Math Elective
College Composition Modular 50 3 ENGL 101 
English Literature 50 6 ENGL 201 & ENGL 251
Financial Accounting 50 3 ACCT 101
French Level 1 50 6 MDLA 102 & MDLA 112
French Level 2 50 9 MDLA 122 & MDLA 152
German Level 1 50 6 Generic MDLA Elective for 6 credits
German Level 2 60 9 Generic MDLA Elective for 9 credits
History of the US I 50 3 HIST 113
History of the US II 50 3 HIST 163
Human Growth and Development 50 3 PSYC 258
Humanities 50 3 not accepted by NCC
Information Systems 50 3 CISC101
Introduction to Educational Psychology 50 3 Generic PSYCH Elective for 3 credits
Introductory Business Law 50 3 BUSA 152
Introductory Psychology 50 3 PSYC 103
Introductory Sociology 50 3 SOCA 103
Natural Sciences 50 3 Generic BIOS Elective for 3 credits
Precalculus 50 3 MATH 160
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 3 ECON 201
Principles of Management  50 3 BUSA 205
Principles of Marketing 50 3 BUSA 232
Principles of Microeconomics 50 3 ECON 251
Social Sciences and History 50 3 Generic HIST Elective for 3 credits
Spanish Level 1 50 6 MDLA 103 & MDLA 113
Spanish Level 2 63 9 MDLA 123 & MDLA 133
Spanish with Writing Level 1 50 6 MDLA 103 & MDLA 113
Spanish with Writing Level 2 65 12 MDLA 123 & MDLA 133
Western Civ I: Ancient to 1648 50 3 HIST 103

Western Civ II: 1648 to Present

50 3 HIST 153

Northampton Community College recognizes the DSST® Exams recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

NCC awards course equivalencies for successfully completed subject area course exams based on the ACE score equivalency recommendations for past and present examinations.

All participating members of the PA College Transfer System must award credit, and apply it toward graduation, for the approved minimum scores. www.patrac.org

DSST Exam Title ACE Recommended Score NCC Credit Hours Awarded NCC Course Equivalency
Business Courses
Business Ethics and Society 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
Business Mathematics 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
HumanResource Management 400 3 BUSA 226
Introduction to Business 400 3 BUSA 101
Money and Banking 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
Personal Finance 400 3 BUSA 211
Principles of Finance 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
Principles of Supervision 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
History Courses
A History of the Vietnam War 400 3 HIST Elective Credit
The Civil War and Reconstruction 400 3 HIST 166
Art Course
Art of the Western World 400 3 ARTA 101
Humanities Courses
Ethics in America 400 3 PHIL 202
Principles of Advanced English Composition 400 3 ENGL 101
Introduction to World Religions 400 3 PHIL 121
Social and Behavioral Sciences Courses
Foundations in Education 400 3 EDUC Elective Credit
Fundamentals of Counseling 400 3 PSYC Elective Credit
General Anthropology 400 3 SOCA 102
Lifespan Developmental Psychology 400 3 PSYC 258
Substance Abuse 400 3 PSYC Elective Credit
Introduction to Geography 400 3 GEOG 101
Introduction to Law Enforcement 400 3 CJST 135
Criminal Justice 400 3 CJST 101
Natural Science Courses
Astronomy 400 3 GEOG Elective Credit
Environmental Science 400 3 BIOS Elective Credit
Introduction to Geology 400 3 GEOL Elective Credit
Health Course
Health and Human Development 400 3 HEAL 150
Information Technology Courses
Computing and Information Technology 400 3 CISC 101
Ethics in Technology 400 3 CISC 280 (Law & Ethics of Computer Security)
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity 400 4 CISC 205
Management Information Systems 400 4 CISC 104 (Information Systems and Resources)

The following DSST® Exams are available but have not yet been reviewed by TAOC for recommendations.

DSST Exam Title ACE Recommended Score NCC Credit Hours Awarded NCC Course Equivalency
Organizational Behavior 400 3 BUSA Elective Credit
Principles of Public Speaking 400 3 CMTH 102
Fundamentals of College Algebra 400 3 MATH 140
Math for Liberal Arts 400 3 MATH 120
Principles of Statistics 400 3 MATH 150
Human / Cultural Geography 400 3 GEOG 101

Old DSST scores (for exams prior to 2008) will be reviewed on a case by case basis for potential awarding of credit.

We also accept certain non-credit credentials and industry certifications as credit towards our degrees. If you currently hold a certification in something that is not listed, let us know and we can work with you to see if it can still be applied.

Information Technology - Non-credit Program, Exam, or Credential  Total Credits Credit Equivalency
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access exams) 3 CISC 101
CompTIA A+ Certification 4 CISC 136
CompTIA Network+ Certification 2 CISC 137
CompTIA Security+ Certification 4 CISC 180
CompTIA CySA+ Certification 4 CISC 205
CompTIA Server+ 3 CISC 254
CompTIA Cloud+ 3 CISC 255
MS Azure AZ-800 4 CISC 265
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 3 CISC 284
CompTIA Linux+ 4 CISC 286
CISCO CCNA 12 CISC 131,267, & 271
Google IT Support Professional Certificate 3 3 credit free elective for AAS degrees
 
Healthcare - Non-credit Program, Exam, or Credential  Total Credits Credit Equivalency
NCC Medical Secretary Certificate 3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS, Public Health AAS, ES Admin AAS, and ES Technlogy AAS. 
Phlemotomy Certificate 3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS, Public Health AAS, ES Admin AAS, and ES Technlogy AAS. 
Community Health Worker Training 3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS, Public Health AAS, ES Admin AAS, and ES Technlogy AAS
Personal Care Home Administrator Certification 3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS, Public Health AAS, ES Admin AAS, and ES Technlogy AAS

Certified Recovery Specialist Credential

3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS, Public Health AAS, ES Admin AAS, and ES Technlogy AAS

Nurse Aide

3 3-credit free elective in Health Sciences AAS

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, National Registry (NREMT-B)

6 EMGS 115

Emergency Medical Responder

3 3-credits towards Emergency Services Technology Degree
 
Education - Non-credit Program, Exam, or Credential  Total Credits Credit Equivalency
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential* 9 EARL 106, EARL 217, EARL244 
Criminal Justice / Human Services – Non-credit Program, Exam, or Credential Total Credits Credit Equivalency
Act 120 Police Academy Program** 15 CJST 101, CJST 111, CJST 115, CJST 135, and CJST 225.

 

*If you receive your CDA with NCC, you'll also receive credit for EARL 244 in addition to EARL 106 and EARL 217 for a total of 9 credits.

**Students who complete a certified Act 120 Police Academy program and pass the MPOETC state certification exam receive 15 credits.

Northampton Community College recognizes the International Baccalaureate ® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) offered to high school aged students in the US and by international schools all over the world.

NCC awards course equivalencies for successfully completed Higher Level (HL) subject area course exams. Minimum scores range from 4–6 based on course subject and level.

All participating members of the PA College Transfer System must award credit, and apply it toward graduation, for the approved minimum scores. www.patrac.org

IB Examination Minimum Score NCC Course Equivalency
Biology (HL) 5 BIOS 107
Business Management (HL) 4 BUSA 205
Chemistry (HL) 5 CHEM 120
Computer Science (HL) 5 CISC 100
Dance (HL) 4 DANC 101
Design Technology 5 ARTA 111
Economics (HL) 5 ECON 201
English A: Literature (HL) 5 ENGL 151
English B (HL) 5 ENGL 101
Film (HL) 4 CMTH 220
French B (HL) 5 MDLA 102
French B (HL) 6 MDLA 102 & 112
Further Mathematics (HL) 4 MATH 150, MATH 180, OR MATH 202 for 3 or 4 credits depending on student’s Program of Study
Further Mathematics (HL) 6 MATH 150, MATH 180, OR MATH 202 for 6 – 8 credits depending on student’s Program of Study
Geography (HL) 3 GEOG General Elective (3 credits)
History (HL) 4 HIST General Elective
Info Technology in Global Society (HL) 5 CISC 101
Mathematics (HL) 4 MATH 160
Mathematics (HL) 6 MATH 160 & MATH 180
Music (HL) 4 MUSC 110
Philosophy (HL) 5 PHIL 201
Physics (HL) 5 PHYS 101
Physics (HL) 6 PHYS 101 (with a score of only 5) and PHYS 151 (both classes with a score of 6 or above)
Psychology (HL) 5 PSYC 103
Sport, Exercise, and Health Science 5 SMAT 101
Spanish B (HL) 5 MDLA 103
Spanish B (HL) 6 MDLA 103 and133
Theatre (HL) 4 CMTH 110
Visual Arts(HL) 4 ARTA general elective (3 credits)

Following ACE guidelines, NCC is awarding college credits for qualifying GED (General Education Development) Fifth Series Test scores (2020-2025).


Listed below are the portions of the test, the qualifying scores, and what credits will be awarded.

 

GED Test Minimum Score NCC Credits Awarded Credit Equivalency
Math 175 3 MATH140
Reasoning through Language Arts 175 1 General AH Elective
Science 175 3 General Physical Science Elective (excluding Lab)
Social Studies 175 3 General SSHB Elective

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