Student Handbook 2023-2024

Academic Credit for Prior Learning

There are several avenues for Georgia Northwestern Technical College students to receive academic credit for prior learning: 

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit — Students who earn scores of three or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement tests, for which the college offers equivalent courses, will be awarded the appropriate credit at GNTC. This credit is designated as TR on the academic transcript and is included in students’ earned hours, but not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. Applicants must have official test scores mailed directly from the College Board to GNTC.
 

College-Level (CLEP) Credit — College-Level Examination Program tests are nationally recognized exams developed by the College Board that allow students to receive credit in certain subject areas. 
CLEP Credit is awarded based on score recommendations of the Council on College Level Services. 
CLEP credit is designated as TR on academic transcripts, is included in students’ earned hours, and is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. Note: Time limits that apply to transfer credit apply to credit by exam.

Credit-by-Exam/Exemption Testing —If circumstantial evidence, such as experiential learning, indicates the probability of special technical aptitude or knowledge on the part of the petitioning student, a written, oral, and/or performance examination can be given. This credit is designated as EXE on academic transcripts, is included in students' earned hours, and is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. The following exemption tests are administered by appointment for persons wishing to establish credit by examination in one or more of the following subjects:

  • ALHS 1011 – Structure and Function of the Human Body (Test Only Available on Floyd and Walker Campuses)
  • ALHS 1040* -Introduction to Health Care (Test Only Available on Floyd and Walker)
  • ALHS 1090 -Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences (Test Only Available on Floyd and Walker)
  • CIST 1001 - Computer Concepts
  • CIST 1130 - Operating Systems
  • ENGL 1010 - Fundamentals of English I
  • MATH 1011 - Business Math (bring a calculator)
  • MATH 1012 - Foundations of Mathematics (bring a calculator)
  • MATH 1013 - Algebraic Concepts (bring a calculator)
  • COMP 1000 - Introduction to Computers (Both a Written and Skills Component)
*ALHS 1040 is a two-part test. The tester will take the written portion first. If he/she is successful, an appointment will be made for the tester to complete physical checkoffs, the second portion of the test. In addition, the tester must present a valid CPR card at the time of testing.

Exemption of other courses may be available upon request (see advisor). Be aware that a significant amount of course knowledge is needed in order to pass the exams with 80% which is required to receive credit for the course. If 80% is achieved, the student will receive an “EXE” as the grade, indicating that he/she received the credit through an exemption test. The “EXE” carries no grade points, but the number of credit hours normally assigned to the course will be awarded. The following rules apply to those wishing to establish credit by examination (exemption test):

  1. A person who wishes to take an exemption test must make an appointment with the Office of Academic Affairs in advance by calling the following numbers: • Floyd/Gordon/Polk County Campuses: 706-295-6956 • Walker County Campus: 706-764-3674 • Whitfield Murray Campus: 706-272-2966
  2. A student must be accepted or currently enrolled as a credit student at GNTC in order to register for an exemption test;
  3. A student may not change any existing grade on his/her transcript by taking an exemption test;
  4. A student has one opportunity to pass an exemption test per available course. If he/she fails to pass the exemption test on the first try, he/she may not repeat the test later for a second try;
  5. The cost of each test will be 25% of tuition per credit hour of the course, payable at the GNTC Office of Administrative Services, at the time of testing. Payment may be by cash, check, or debit/credit card;

Experiential Learning and Professional Certification Credit — At GNTC, instructors may recommend awarding credit for documented previous training by submitting an Experiential Learning and Professional Certification Credit Request Form (with documentation) to the vice president of academic affairs. The vice president of academic affairs reviews the request and upon approval, forwards the request to the registrar. The credit is designated as EXP on academic transcript and is included in students' earned hours, but is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. 


TCSG Statewide Articulated Credit/Credit for High School Coursework —Recent high school graduates may be eligible to receive advanced technical college credit based upon an articulation agreement signed by the school system superintendent and the Georgia Northwestern Technical College president. Local articulation and curriculum alignment agreements are in place to meet the needs of the community. These agreements serve students by facilitating the smooth transition of students from secondary to postsecondary technical colleges, encouraging postsecondary education, and elimination of undue entrance delays, duplication of course content, and/or loss of credit. High school graduates may receive advanced technical college course credit by passing an exemption exam for each course of attempted credit. High school graduates with a “B” grade or better in a high school articulated class are eligible to take an exemption exam. The following stipulations apply: 
  • The applicant must meet regular admission status in order to be eligible to receive advanced technical college credit (articulated credit); 
  • The student must enroll at Georgia Northwestern Technical College within 24 months of their high school graduation date; 
  • A passing score must be achieved in order to receive credit for the course. 

This credit (Articulation Credit) is designated as AC on academic transcripts, and is included in students' earned hours, and is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. For more information on the requirements to earn advanced technical college credit, high school students should contact their high school counselor or the high school initiative coordinator at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.


International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit — Students who have taken appropriate high school courses determined and achieved scores of three or higher on International Baccalaureate examinations will receive credit for equivalent courses offered by the college. IB Examinations are offered by the International Baccalaureate Examination Board. Applicants must have official test scores mailed directly to GNTC. This credit is designated as IB on academic transcripts, is included in students’ earned hours, and is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages. Students should direct questions to registrar@gntc.edu about IB credit.


Military Credit — GNTC awards credit for courses completed at military service schools. The awarding of credit is based American Council of Education (ACE) recommendations as listed in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. This credit is designated as TRM on academic transcripts, is included in students’ earned hours, and is not included in the calculation of semester, cumulative, and graduation grade point averages.