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Credit for Prior Learning and Alternative Study Options

In addition to regular classes, students may receive college credit for prior learning and alternative study options.

Credit for Prior Learning

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

American River College grants credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. A student who meets the following requirements may receive credit for exams they successfully passed:

Official copies of test scores are on file with Admissions and Records
Student is in good standing, which is defined as having completed twelve (12) units of credit and having a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA)

Students should be aware that other colleges and universities have the right to accept, modify, or reject the use of AP scores towards their graduation requirements. Check with your counselor to determine whether these test results will be accepted at the transfer institution of your choice.

Review the AP Credit Chart to see how American River College grants credit for AP exams.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

American River College grants credit for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations. CLEP scores fulfill general education areas only; they do not fulfill graduation competencies, requirements for any major at American River College, or enrollment limitations (such as prerequisite requirements) for any course at American River College.

A student may receive credit for CLEP exams they have successfully passed once the following requirements are met:

Official copies of test scores are on file with Admissions and Records
Student has completed twelve (12) units of credit and has a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA)

Visit College Board's College-Level Examination Program website to learn more.

CLEP scores are not accepted for transfer to the University of California. Students should be aware that other colleges and universities have the right to accept, modify, or reject the use of CLEP scores towards their graduation requirements. Check with your counselor to determine whether these test results will be accepted at the transfer institution of your choice.

Review the CLEP Credit Chart to see how American River College grants credit for CLEP exams.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Tests

American River College may award college credit for international baccalaureate (IB) higher-level course completion, if the course work is compatible with the college's curriculum. No credit will be granted for lower-level course work completed in the IB program.

A student who meets the following requirements may receive credit for IB tests they successfully passed:

Official copies of test scores are on file with Admissions and Records
Student is in good standing, which is defined as having completed twelve (12) units of credit and having a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA)

Review the IB Credit Chart to see how American River College grants credit for IB tests.

Students should be aware that other colleges and universities have the right to accept, modify, or reject the use of IB scores towards their graduation requirements. Check with your counselor to determine whether these test results will be accepted at the transfer institution of your choice.

Students who have earned credit from an IB test should not take a comparable college course because transfer credit will not be granted for both.

Credit by Examination

Under special circumstances and with department approval, students who are regularly enrolled and in good standing who believe they are qualified by experience or previous training may take a special examination to establish credit in a course in which they are not formally enrolled. The California College Promise and Los Rios Promise program tuition fee waivers do not cover fees for the credit by examination process. Students are required to pay the current tuition fee per unit. The determination to offer credit by examination is at the discretion of the discipline faculty.

A student who wishes to petition for credit by examination must:

Be currently enrolled and in good standing at American River College
Have an education plan on file
Request a course that is listed in the current college catalog
Never have received credit for the particular course

Successful completion of a course by the credit by examination process is recorded on the permanent transcript as a letter grade (A, B, or C) or as Pass (P) grade. The P grade does not enter into the computation of the student's GPA. Non-passing grades are not recorded on the academic transcript.

Limitations

A maximum of 15 units may be allowed by credit by examination at American River College. Credit by exam units may not be used to satisfy the 12-unit residence requirement for graduation. Credit by examination is not applicable to all courses, and in some instances, the process may require measures of evaluation.

Some four-year colleges and universities do not accept units granted through credit by examination. Students are encouraged to consult with a counselor to discuss credit by examination to determine how it may affect their educational objective.

For more information, contact the area dean.

Credit for Military Education and Training

Military personnel and veterans may receive course credit for prior military education and training.

See Credit for Military Experience for more information.

Alternative Study Options

Distance/Online Education

American River College offers instruction via the internet. This includes online course sections where all work is carried out online, and partially online course sections where instruction is divided between online and in-person modalities.

To be successful in online courses, students need to be self-directed, motivated, and able to independently complete and electronically submit assignments on schedule. Students will also need reliable access to a computer and basic internet skills.

Online Classes

In online classes, classes meet online and all coursework is done online. Class schedules will indicate whether an online class is asynchronous (meaning there are no scheduled meeting times) or synchronous (meaning there are regularly scheduled meetings through teleconference).

Partially Online or "Hybrid" Classes

Partially online classes feature a mix of online and in-person meetings and coursework. Class schedules will indicate the day/time of the in-person, on-campus class sessions.

Online Learning Platform

All online classes are offered through Canvas, a cloud-based learning management system used by faculty and students within Los Rios Community College District.

Learn more about online education at American River College.

Independent Study

An independent study course involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses, pursuant to an agreement among the college, faculty member, and student(s). Independent studies require regular meetings between the student and instructor. Additionally, the instructor may require examinations or other measures of evaluation, field trips, term papers, and other assignments.

Please note that some four-year colleges and universities do not accept units granted through independent study. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor for more information.

For the appropriate petition and course proposal form, please contact Admissions and Records.

Credit for Military Service

Veterans may receive college credit for military service.

See Credit for Military Experience for more information.

Study Abroad

Study abroad can be an enlightening, maturing, and life-changing experience. Students are challenged to re-examine themselves, their attitudes, and their studies as they learn to understand new and different cultures. In cooperation with the American Institute for Foreign Study, Los Rios Community College District offers unique study opportunities in cities such as:

London, England
Barcelona, Spain
Florence, Italy

Requirements

To study abroad, students must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be in good academic standing with 12 college units completed by the time you go abroad
Have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.25

During the 13-week Study Abroad program, all students take 12 units – a three-unit Life and Culture class, an additional Los Rios class, and two other classes from the list of offerings.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for study abroad.

Upcoming Study Abroad Opportunities

Learn more about current and upcoming study abroad opportunities.

Work Experience and Internship Program

Work experience is an academic program in which students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a job or internship and work to earn college credits. There are two types of programs: vocational and general.

For more information, please visit the Work Experience and Internship Program.