Prior Learning Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need to be enrolled in courses, but you need to have a record created with Maricopa Community Colleges (you need a student ID number) and you need to be admitted to the current semester at the college your evaluation is being performed. If you do not have a record created, make sure you create a record and/or be admitted prior to requesting your transcripts to be sent to a Maricopa Community Colleges.

No, but you should talk with an Academic Advisor at your campus about your previous education before enrolling. An “unofficial” evaluation can be performed in order to prevent you from taking any courses that may be able to be met by your previous education. 

We can accept transfer coursework that has earned a grade of “C” or better and includes coursework that has earned a 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 grading scale). A “P” grade may also be accepted if the “P” grade is equivalent to a grade of “C” or better. Credits transferred from an institution that uses a plus/minus grading scale are converted based on the grading scale of the transferring institution.

Coursework listed in quarter credits will be converted to semester credits. The conversion rate is .67 semester credits per 1 quarter credit.

Equivalencies are determined by reviewing details about the incoming course and comparing that to our own curriculum. The amount of credits, prerequisite requirements, how that course is utilized in that institution’s degrees, and other detailed information is also considered.

Equivalencies are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils (ICs) and/or Statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs). Credit is awarded based on the equivalencies in effect at the time of your evaluation.

A minimum score is required in order to earn credit. If the minimum score is not reached, you will receive zero credits and equivalency of “GEN NCA," which means “No Credit Awarded."

The credit you can be awarded is dependent on the type of credential in comparison to the curriculum we offer that is associated with that credential. Approval is at the discretion of the appropriate Program Director or Faculty Chair.

Credit is awarded through a Credit by Evaluation Process. Your credential will need to be verified and documentation will need to be submitted prior to approval.

Please work with your campus Veterans Department to obtain and evaluate your Joint Service Transcript. Please note, if you have completed military coursework in the Air Force, the evaluation process falls under the same category as “Transfer Credit” for an institution accredited by a Regional Agency (Community College of the Air Force). Please work with your campus' Admissions and Records Department to coordinate an evaluation of your official CCAF transcript.

Coursework listed on a Joint Service Transcript can be evaluated. If specialized military training and/or occupational information is listed, those can be evaluated on a case by case basis. Please contact your campus' Veterans Department for additional information.

Yes. The amount of credit awarded from your Joint Service Transcript will be labeled as “Military” under "Transfer Credit" on your official transcript.

You can access your Joint Service Transcript on the Department of Justice's website. Your campus Veteran’s Department will also be able to assist you with obtaining your transcript.

Recommendations by ACE are based on reviews conducted by college and university faculty members who are actively teaching in the areas they review. The team assesses and validates whether the courses have the appropriate content, scope, and rigor for college credit recommendations. These recommendations are then utilized by our faculty and campus evaluators as a resource in the evaluation process.

If your coursework can be articulated, you will receive semester credits for that coursework. The amount of semester credits is based on the specific equivalency decisions made by faculty and program directors.