Award of Academic and Transfer Credit Policy

PURPOSE

The purpose for the Policy on Award of Academic and Transfer Credit is to ensure that academic and transfer credits are consistently awarded to students for recognized credit-bearing courses at Hudson County Community College (“College”).

POLICY

The College and its Board of Trustees (“Board”) are committed to recognizing the variety of methods through which students earn academic credit, including the transferability of credits earned at other recognized institutions of higher education. The Office of Academic Affairs shall facilitate the award of academic and transfer credits in a manner that is consistent and that serves to further promote academic integrity.
The Board delegates to the President the responsibility to develop procedures and guidelines for the implementation of this policy. The Office of Academic Affairs shall be responsible for implementing the procedures and guidelines developed for this policy.

Approved: October 2021
Approved by: Board of Trustees
Category: Academic Affairs
Subcategory: Academic and Transfer Credit
Scheduled for Review: October 2021
Responsible Department: Academic Affairs

Procedures

Procedure on Non-Credit to Credit Course Internal Articulation

1. Definitions:

Articulation – the process by which credit is awarded for prior learning. Prior learning can occur through coursework at another institution or through experiential learning. When determining whether to articulate credit, a form of prior learning assessment (e.g., CLEP exams, work-life portfolios) may be used or transcripts, course descriptions, and course syllabi may be evaluated for symmetry.

Credit Course – Any course offered through one of the Academic Divisions. Credit courses are either part of the College’s General Education curriculum or are part of the major specialized requirements and electives for one or more associate degree or certificate programs. Successful completion of a credit course results in earned academic credit towards an associate degree or certificate. Credit courses can be transferred in by students who have earned credit at other institutions or through other methods such as prior learning assessment, or transferred out by students from HCCC to other institutions of higher education. Credit courses may require that other courses are taken previously or concurrently. Credit courses are eligible for funding through Title IV financial aid and must provide the requisite instructional time (i.e., lecture and/or lab contact hours) for the associated number of credits.

Industry-Recognized Credential – An industry-recognized credential is a credential, or certification, that is awarded by a professional body. Often, the bodies awarding industry recognized credentials are nationally recognized organizations representing a specific field or sector (e.g., American Welding Society). An industry-recognized credential is usually granted after the student passes a certifying exam. The certifying exam will likely be developed, maintained, and administered by the professional body.

Internal Articulation – Articulation specific to the award of credit between the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development and another division of the College.

Non-Credit Course – Any course offered through the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (“CEWD”). Non-credit courses do not result in earned credit towards an associate degree or certificate program. Non-credit courses aim to build a particular skill set or knowledge base and may result in an industry recognized credential or a certificate of completion. A non-credit course may be part of a program, or a sequence of courses, offered by CEWD. Non-credit courses may be eligible for funding through Title IV financial aid if they meet a certain threshold of hours as established by the U.S. Department of Education.

2. Articulating Credit from Non-Credit Courses:

To initiate the articulation of credit from a non-credit course, the need for the articulation and the opportunities it affords shall be established through written communication from the Associate Dean of the Division or Vice President. Either the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) or the Office of Academic Affairs may initiate the process.
1. The proposal will consist of the following items:
  1. Industry recognized credential or the course name of the CEWD course/program.
  2. Curriculum mapping demonstrating how many credits are to be awarded and for which credit-bearing courses and towards which program(s).
Once the needs and opportunities have been established, an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives from Academic Affairs and CEWD reviews the proposals. The ad hoc committee may consist of the Associate Dean of the Division, the Senior Continuing Education Officer, and a representative of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The ad hoc committee will review proposals as needed and will seek consensus in its review. The committee may endorse the proposal or return it for revision. All feedback, including questions and recommended revisions, will be shared with the individual(s) who initiated the process.
The representative from the Academic Division will complete the Articulation Agreement template (Attachment) and submit it to the following individuals, or their designees, for signature:
1. Senior Continuing Education Officer
2. Chief Academic Officer
3. Associate Dean of the Division
Once signed, the Vice President for External Affairs will communicate the agreement and its terms to the President.
The signed form will be sent to the Registrar’s Office by Academic Affairs through an Academic Update Memorandum for implementation purposes.
1. CEWD courses will appear as transfer credit on a student’s transcript.
2. The articulation of credit will be advertised in the College Catalog.

Approved: February 2022
Approved by: Cabinet
Category: Academic Affairs
Subcategory: Academic and Transfer Credit
Scheduled for Review: February 2024
Responsible Department: Academic Affairs

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