Advanced Standing

12) The Joint Services Transcript, which documents coursework taken in the military, is accepted as evidence equivalent to an academic transcript. The JST includes equivalent experience/ coursework from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. Air Force veterans must submit an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force (CCFA) or Air Force University (AU). Military service records will not be accepted as evidence equivalent to academic transcripts from a college or university. The JST can be requested by visiting: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html. Air Force Veterans can request a transcript by visiting: http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp

13) The Deans’ Council will provide oversight for all transfer credit policies, and will review as needed to ensure compliance with all accreditation standards and requirements.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER CREDIT

Because of the great variety of types of educational institutions that exist around the world, as well as how difficult it is to assess foreign equivalencies to American terminology and standards, North Central University requires academic credit earned from institutions located outside of the United States not only to be documented with transcripts or similar official reports, but also to be evaluated using an agency approved by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) or the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Transfer credit will be assessed based on equivalency to collegiate work completed at regionally accredited institutions in the United States.

In addition, North Central University reserves the right to determine how such transfer credits might apply, or might not apply, to the specific requirements of a particular course of study. In other words, although NCU might recognize foreign academic coursework as being of acceptable academic quality, the University might also determine that the subject matter of this coursework is such that it will not meet any of the specific requirements of a particular academic program. International students must have their transcripts evaluated by an AACRAO or NACES-endorsed evaluation service and submitted directly to the admissions office.

Just as it is the responsibility of a student seeking transfer credit to provide NCU with relevant transcripts, it is also the responsibility of the student seeking foreign transfer credit to bear the cost of this evaluation.

Advanced Standing implies that one is eligible to receive college credit for life experiences gained prior to matriculation as a new student through unaccredited educational programs, like YWAM, that "translate" into similar competencies gained through specific coursework at NCU or from approved exams like CLEP, AP, or IB.

Please note that a maximum of 30 credits will be accepted for transfer from CLEP, AP, IB, DANTES and Advanced Standing combined. All official documentation for Advanced Standing credit must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the 2nd term of enrollment at NCU. Approval of a Transfer Credit Request does not guarantee acceptance if the official documentation or transcript is not received within this credit limit.

Please see the NCU website for a complete listing of the exams approved for transfer under the Transfer Guides for CLEP, AP, DANTES, and IB.

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT

Portfolio Assessment is reserved for students with professional competencies gained postmatriculation from career experience that “translate” into similar competencies for specific coursework at NCU. Examples include, but are not limited to certifications, work experience, and published works. Students must submit thorough portfolio documentation which will be subject to faculty review in order to determine the course equivalencies for demonstrated competencies. Portfolio Credits cannot exceed 21 credits towards a bachelor’s degree and tuition rates apply.

EXAM POLICY

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP), along with AP, IB and DANTES offer an opportunity to earn college-level credit for knowledge already acquired. North Central University accepts many of these exams as transfer credits to meet the equivalent course requirements based on miminum required exam scores.

Double credit may not be received by taking the course in addition to passing an exam test. Credit will only be granted in areas where coursework has not been taken.

When taking a CLEP exam, use the code 6505 to have all scores forwarded to North Central University. Additional information about CLEP can be found at www.collegeboard.org. Specific information regarding tests and course requirements can be found in the Registrar’s Office.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE CREDIT

North Central awards Advanced Standing credit for students who earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or receive a Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seal. • Students must submit official documentation upon enrollment at NCU and within three academic years of graduation from high school. • Students will be awarded 8 credits of Advanced Standing to be applied to either a foreign language requirement or general elective credit. • A placement exam will also be required for students taking ASL, Greek or Hebrew as part of their program of study.