Nontraditional Credit Education Evaluation

Academic credit may be granted for education obtained through a variety of nontraditional methods including continuing education, non-accredited private and technical college coursework, military training, and credit by examination. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution are advised to confer with the institution to which they plan to transfer regarding acceptance of nontraditional credit.

The evaluation of nontraditional education is based upon the guidelines of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Credit may also be awarded based on recommendations contained in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs published by the American Council on Education.

Nontraditional credit will be evaluated and approved by the division director of the subject area for which the credit is being requested, using the following guidelines:

• Texas Success Initiative requirements, including course pre/corequisites, must be met prior to the award of nontraditional credit.
• A maximum of 21 hours of nontraditional credit may be awarded.
• Nontraditional credit may be awarded to an LSCO matriculated student after the census date of the first semester of enrollment.
• Credit is noted as nontraditional on the transcript and will receive a grade of “S” (satisfactory), with the exception of LSCO departmental credit by exam, which are shown with a letter grade of “A” or “B.”
• Applicants seeking nontraditional credit for courses that do not meet SACSCOC criteria may apply for credit through the credit-by-exam option.
• Nontraditional credit will not be counted toward resident credit with the exception of LSCO Continuing Education overlay classes.

Procedures for Requesting Credit for Nontraditional Education

1. The student initiates the request in the Office of Admission and Records by completing the appropriate form and presenting documentation, if required.
2. The Office of Admission and Records sends the form to the appropriate division director for evaluation. Departmental approval is not normally required of ACE Guide recommendations.
3. The form is returned to the Office of Admission and Records and a copy of the completed evaluation is mailed to the student.
4. After payment is received, the nontraditional credit is posted to the student’s academic record. A transcript showing posted credit is mailed to the student.