Prior Learning Assessment
The complete policies and procedures for prior learning are found in Section I of the Academic Management Manual. The categories of Prior Learning are defined below. The Prior Learning website is located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/Prior-Learning-Assessment
Challenge Exams
Palm Beach State College has identified certain courses within the curriculum as being eligible for earning credit or hours through a challenge examination. If the student achieves a passing score on the examination, credit or hours will be awarded to the student's transcript.
Palm Beach State Course Equivalency
This is a process for granting college credit or clock hours for previously earned CCP or credit course work towards a CCP or credit certificate or an A.A. or A.S. degree. Also, students who have taken and passes courses in certain CCP programs at Palm Beach State may apply for granting of credit by following this process.
Prior Learning Portfolio
Palm Beach State College has developed a portfolio-based system of demonstrating that a student has achieved the course objectives for A.S. and CCP courses. This process involves a written portfolio which is prepared under the guidance of a program instructor or faculty member.
Career Pathways/Tech Prep Articulation from the School District of Palm Beach County
Palm Beach State College has an agreement with the School District of Palm Beach County to accept certain combinations of course work taken at the high school along with an assessment to qualify for awarding of college credits.
Discipline Related Prior Learning Forms
- Advanced Placement of Apprenticeship Courses
Students enrolled in Palm Beach State apprenticeship programs may be advanced placed into the curriculum by awarding hours for courses in which they been evaluated as meeting the competencies of the course.
- Health Core Courses for CCP Programs
Each student enrolled in a health credit or CCP program where HSC 0003 or PRN 0022 is required may meet this requirement by documentation of having the course competencies achieved through coursework or work experience.
- FDLE Corrections Academy or Law Enforcement Academy to Criminal Justice AS Degree
Students who have taken classes through a FDLE Law Enforcement Academy and have passed the Florida State Certification Exam will be granted credits toward the Criminal Justice A.S. degree. The student requesting credit for prior learning credit must complete the prior learning assessment form and present it to the Chair of the Criminal Justice Program for approval. If the application is approved by the Chair, and the Academic Dean, it will be forwarded to the registrar for processing.
- Dental Assisting to Dental Hygiene
Students who have earned the Dental Assisting credential and are graduates of an ADA (American Dental Association) accredited dental assisting program will be granted 19 hours of coursework. The student must have passed all dental science courses with a grade of ‘C’ or higher no more than five years prior to the Dental Hygiene application deadline date.
- Radiologic Technology
Students who have earned their ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) credential and are graduates of a JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology) accredited radiography program have the opportunity be granted 45 hours of coursework towards the A.S. degree in Radiography.
- Surgical Services AS
Students who have earned their National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or equivalent credential and are graduates of a CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited surgical services program will be granted 34 hour of coursework.
- Florida Fire College to Fire Science
Students who have taken classes through the FSFC (Florida State Fire College) from a credentialed instructor will be granted the appropriate credit hours for FFP courses that are approved by the Fire Science Director. The student requesting credit for FFP classes taken through the FSFC must complete the prior learning assessment form and present it to the Fire Science Director for approval. If the application is approved by the Director, and the Dean of Public Safety, it will be forwarded to the registrar for processing.
- EPI Course Equivalency for EPI 0010
Students who have successfully taken and documented FOR-PD Reading Competency 2 through the School District of Palm County within the last five (5) years or have passed [with a ‘C’ or higher] and documented a course from an accredited college or university with an outline comparable to EPI 0010 within the last five (5) years may qualify for this equivalency. The student must also complete a portfolio. The student requesting the credit for EPI 0010 must complete the prior learning assessment form and present it to the Institute for Teacher Education manager for approval.
For more details, please see Section I.
Enacted July 2004 in section G from existing policy; revised July 2005, July 2006, July 2007, July 2008, July 2009, July 2010, July 2016; July 2019; July 2021