Danville Area Community College subscribes to the philosophy of the open door policy, whereby it accepts each person at his/her individual level of development and allows the person the opportunity to reach their maximum potential as a student. For the purpose of determining the student’s academic classification, transcripts from other institutions will be evaluated for credits earned. The Office of the Registrar will interpret transcripts according to the current academic regulations of the College. The academic record of transfer students and of students who began their studies at DACC will be evaluated on the basis of their over-all average and not the semester average.
Transfer-in Credit Policy & Procedures: Evaluation Of Coursework From Other Colleges & Entities
Danville Area Community College accepts 100-level and 200-level coursework from other postsecondary institutions who have been accredited by approved national, regional, and professional accrediting bodies. Accreditation shows that the institutions have been evaluated by recognized accreditors and are determined, by their peers, to meet acceptable levels of educational quality.
As part of the DACC application process, students are asked to send official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Once the transcript is received by the DACC Records Office, the transcript is evaluated for credits applicable to the student’s declared major/program of study which will include any math or English credit for course placement. If the student has not indicated a program of study or is “undecided,” only the math and English credits will be evaluated. After the evaluation has been completed, students will be able to view transfer-in credit via the myDACC/Self Service portal tool or by contacting the Records Office at records@dacc.edu or 217-443-3222 options 1,3,2. The evaluation will specify what the transferred coursework equated to at Danville Area Community College.
If a student updates/changes their major/program of study declaration or wants career-oriented (vocational) coursework to be evaluated, the student should contact the Records Office in Vermilion Hall to make the request. We will need to know the student’s specific major at that time.
Not more than 45 credit hours will be accepted to use towards a degree. The accepted coursework will also appear on the student’s DACC transcript. Only credit hours are noted on the DACC transcript. Grades are not figured in to the student’s DACC cumulative grade point average. However, if a student is a candidate for Summa Cum Laude honors at commencement, grades will be considered for any coursework that is used for degree completion.
Danville Area Community College will limit the academic residency to 25% or less of the degree requirement for all degrees for active-duty servicemembers and their adult family members (spouse and college-age children). Academic residency can be completed at any time while active-duty servicemembers and their family members are enrolled. Reservist and National Guardsmen on active-duty are covered in the same manner. Students who find themselves in the situations stated above will be referred to the Veterans Representative and/or Registrar for any assistance needed. See below for additional types of credit that can be transferred.
Advanced Placement (AP)
DACC recognizes credit earned through The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations. However, DACC requires a minimum score, set for each exam. The minimum score required and the number of semester hours awarded is generally based on guidelines set by the American Council on Education (ACE).
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College is an approved CLEP testing center. Examinations will be administered on scheduled dates by College personnel. Information regarding test registration procedures and fees is available from the Testing and Academic Services Center. The minimum score required and the number of semester hours awarded is generally based on guidelines set by the American Council on Education (ACE). An official CLEP transcript must be submitted to the Records Office for evaluation.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
General Information DACC recognizes credit earned through International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Examinations. However, DACC requires a minimum score, set for each exam. The minimum score required and the number of semester hours awarded is based on guidelines set by the American Council on Education (ACE). The required scores, available credit, and course equivalencies granted at DACC can be found on the DACC website under the Advisement and Counseling webpage.
Military Service Credit
Members and former members of the Armed Services may be granted credit for military experience. Veterans must present a copy of their military transcript(s) to the Records Office (in Vermilion Hall) for credit evaluation.
Servicemember Residency Requirement for Degree/Certificate Credit Hours
For active-duty service members and their adult family members (spouse and college age children), DACC will limit the academic residency to 25% or less of the degree requirement for all degrees and fifty percent or less for certificates. Academic residency can be completed at any time while active-duty service members and their family members are enrolled. Reservist and National Guardsmen on active-duty are covered in the same manner. Students who find themselves in the situations stated above will be referred to the Veterans Representative and/or Registrar for any assistance needed.
Proficiency Credit
A student who has acquired knowledge and competency applicable to an educational goal through informal means may earn
credit and/or exemption from certain course requirements through proficiency examinations or prior learning assessment
(PLA). Proficiency examinations are offered at the discretion of the Dean of the Division responsible for the course based on:
(1) the degree to which competency or ability in a given area can be adequately evaluated by a proficiency examination, and (2)
judgment of the prior experience of the applicant in terms of the objectives of the course and the adequacy of their preparation
to pass the examination or show adequate knowledge based on prior/experiential learning.
Course proficiency examinations and prior learning assessment are subject to the following:
- Proficiency credit may not duplicate credit earned at DACC, in transfer or received through CLEP, USAFI, or similar
programs.
- A course proficiency examination may not be taken (for credit) in a lower level course by students who have received
credit in the subject area beyond the course in which the examination is requested.
- A student currently enrolled in a course but desiring to earn proficiency credit must petition for approval and complete
the examination or PLA by the end of the fourth week of classes.
- A student cannot receive proficiency credit and subsequently enroll in the course and earn a grade.
- A course proficiency examination may not be attempted more than twice in a given course.
- Course credit earned by proficiency examination or PLA shall be recorded as “Credit by Proficiency”. No transcript
record is entered unless the examination is completed successfully. No grade is recorded, nor can a prior grade be changed or
removed by proficiency credit. Credit earned by proficiency examination or PLA is not included in the computation of a
student’s grade point average (GPA).
- A maximum of 45 semester hours earned through course proficiency examinations or PLA will be credited toward an
associate degree. Students pursuing a certificate must complete a minimum of 50% of their coursework at DACC.
- The fee to take a proficiency examination or PLA shall be a minimum of one credit hour tuition or one-half the current
tuition of the college for that course, whichever is greater.
- A person seeking proficiency credit must have previously completed courses in which credits have been
earned or must be currently enrolled at Danville Area Community College.
- Items for review to assess prior learning in a given area of coursework can include resumes, certifications earned
through an employer or national organization, and supervisor or HR letters outlining day-to-day responsibilities and job duties.
Students should work with the division dean to decide what information is necessary to determine adequate knowledge of
course material based on prior/experiential learning.