Orange Coast College awards credit for prior learning in accordance with Board Policy 4235 and Administrative Procedure 4235 Credit for Prior Learning. 

Credit may be awarded for prior experience or prior learning only for individually identified courses with subject matter similar to that of the individual’s prior learning. Award of credit may be made to electives for students who do not require additional general education or program credits to meet their goals.

To be eligible for credit for prior learning:

• The student must be currently enrolled at a College in the District.
• The student must be in good standing and must meet specified eligibility requirements as defined by each College in the District.
• The student must have at least an abbreviated student educational plan on file.
• The course is listed in the College catalog.

Credits acquired by assessment of prior learning are not applicable to the determination of a student’s enrollment status of full-time or part-time.

Credits acquired by assessment of prior learning shall not be counted in determining the 12 unit residency requirement for an associate degree.

Credits acquired by assessment of prior learning are not applicable to meeting of such unit load requirements as Selective Service deferment, or Veteran's or Social Security benefits.

A student, upon completion of their educational plan pursuant to California Education Code Section 78212, shall be referred to the College's appropriate authority for assessment of prior learning if the student is a veteran or an active-duty member of the armed forces, holds industry-recognized credentials, or requests credit for a course based on their prior learning.

The following apply to credit for prior learning:

• The student’s academic record will clearly indicate that the credit was earned by credit for prior learning.
• Orange Coast College will determine the number of units earned by credit for prior learning that may be applied to the associate degree.
• Grading of a College approved assessment shall be according to the regular grading system used by the District. Students shall be offered a "pass - no pass" option if that option is ordinarily available for the course. In cases where the College has not received sufficient evidence to issue a letter grade, a grade of “pass - no pass” will be awarded if that option is ordinarily available for the course. Students shall be given the opportunity to accept, decline, or appeal the grade assigned by the faculty, and in cases of credit by examination, pursuant to AP 4230 Grading and Academic Record Symbols.
• A grade of “pass - no pass” will be given for credit awarded for Advanced Placement Examination (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) examination.
• Upon a student's demonstration of sufficient mastery through an examination or assessment, an award of credit should be made, if possible, to California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, California State University General Education Breadth, and the College’s general education requirements or requirements for a student's chosen program of study.

Students taking a College administered examination shall pay the per unit enrollment fees applicable at the time of the examination.