Credit for Prior Learning

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program administered by College Board that allows high school students to complete designated college-level courses and earn credit by achieving a qualifying score on an AP exam.

What you need to know:

• To receive credit, students must request that their official AP score report be sent to the Records and Registration Office.
• Credit is awarded for scores of 3 or higher.
• AP credits are recorded as transfer credit and do not count toward the residency credit requirement at Anoka-Ramsey.
• A full list of accepted AP exams and how they transfer is available through Transferology.

CLEP is a program administered by College Board that allows students of any age to earn college credit by achieving a qualifying score on a CLEP exam. Visit the CLEP website for information about registration and fees.

What you need to know:

• To receive credit, students must request that their official CLEP transcript be sent to the Records and Registration Office by signing into their CLEP account.
• Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or higher. Higher scores are required for Level 2 foreign language exams.
• Please note: CLEP courses are graded as Pass/Fail and are not accepted in Anoka-Ramsey's Nursing and PTA programs.
• CLEP credits are recorded as transfer credit and do not count toward the residency credit requirement at Anoka-Ramsey.

A student who can demonstrate achievement of an Anoka-Ramsey college-level course may receive credit toward a degree. Faculty determine the appropriate assessment method, which may include a test, demonstration, or oral/written communication.

What you need to know:

• A student must be admitted to Anoka-Ramsey to be eligible.
• Assessments may not be available for all courses; they are offered at the discretion of faculty.
• Credits will be recorded on the student’s official ARCC transcript as part of the term in which the assessment is completed.
• There is no limit to the number of credits a student may earn through course-specific assessment.
• Credits impact the student’s GPA and are included in Anoka-Ramsey’s residency requirement.
• A non-refundable fee of $75 per credit must be paid prior to taking the assessment.
• Not eligible for PSEO students.
• Students should work with their assigned Academic Advisor to ensure the course fits their academic plan and to identify the appropriate faculty member.
• Students should work with faculty to determine the assessment option and to schedule a date and time for the assessment.
• Once approved by faculty, students must complete the Course-Specific Assessment Form.

DSST is an internet-based testing program that allows students to earn college credit by achieving a qualifying score. DSST testing is available at the Testing Center by appointment. Visit the DSST website for information about exam and transcript fees.

What you need to know:

• Students must request that their official DSST transcript be sent to the Records and Registration Office.
• Credit is awarded for scores of 400 or higher on DSST examinations.
• DSST credits are recorded as transfer credit and do not count toward the residency credit requirement at Anoka-Ramsey.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is a program in which students complete designated college-level courses in high school and earn college credit by achieving a qualifying score on an IB exam.

What you need to know:

• Students must request that their official IB Report be sent to the Records and Registration Office.
• Credit is awarded for scores of 4 or higher on IB examinations.
• IB credits are recorded as transfer credit and do not count toward the residency credit requirement at Anoka-Ramsey.

High school students who earned Minnesota Bilingual or Multilingual Seals or World Language Proficiency Certificates (ACTFL) are eligible to receive college credit at Anoka-Ramsey.

• Students must submit their seal and/or certificate within three (3) academic years of high school graduation and upon enrollment at Anoka-Ramsey to receive credit.
• Documents must be sent to the Records and Registration Office.
• Students who need a copy of their seal or certificate should contact their high school for assistance.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College is committed to supporting veterans and their families in achieving their educational goals.

• Students must request that their military transcript be sent to the Records and Registration Office.
  • If you served in the US Army, Army Reserves, Army National Guard, US Navy, Navy Reserve, US Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserves, US Coast Guard, or US Coast Guard Reserves, visit the Air University (AU) website to request your transcript.
  • If you served in the US Air Force or Air Force Reserves, visit the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript website to request your transcript.
• Military credits will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and do not count toward the residency credit requirement.

Minnesota Articulated College Credit (ACC) recognizes students who have successfully completed specific high school courses identified as equivalent to courses at Anoka-Ramsey.

High school students who demonstrate mastery of specific course competencies at their high school will receive an Articulated College Credit Certificate. This certificate is used to acknowledge their competence and may be applied toward college credit at Anoka-Ramsey.

Learn more about Articulated College Credit at Anoka-Ramsey.

If you wish to appeal a course for direct equivalency or for placement in a specific general education MnTC goal area*, follow these steps:

1. Log into your eServices account.
2. Click on Academic Records, then select Transfer Review.
3. Ensure all transcripts have been received and evaluated.
4. Click on Add Request and follow the prompted next steps.
5. Select the transfer course you wish to appeal and choose the Reason for Request from the drop-down menu.
6. Provide a detailed explanation of the appeal request.
7. Upload supporting documentation, such as a syllabus or course outline (course descriptions will not be accepted for evaluating equivalency).
8. Submit the appeal. Use the Check Status feature to track your appeal. The Records Office will review the appeal and enter the decision in eServices within approximately 14 business days.

If your appeal is denied, you may re-appeal in eServices. The second appeal will go to the Academic Dean over the discipline of the degree. If the second appeal is also denied, you can appeal once more to the Minnesota State System Office.

*Note: Per Minnesota State policy, if a sending college or university has determined that a course meets a specific MnTC goal area, the receiving institution must accept that goal area. The receiving college or university will record the goal area exactly as assigned by the original institution in the transfer system. (System Procedure 3.21.1, Part 6, Subpart H.1.C.)

If you wish to petition for a course to meet a program requirement (rather than direct equivalency), use the Academic Petition form found at under Appeals, Petitions & Complaint Forms. Work with your assigned academic advisor to file the petition. You’ll need to provide reasoning, rationale and documentation.

Once submitted, your petition will be reviewed by the appropriate dean, and you’ll receive the decision via email within 14 business days.

If your petition is denied, you can appeal to a different Academic Dean for review. A final appeal can be made to the Vice President of Academics and Student Services.