School of Industrial & Engineering Technologies
Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center, Rm. E134 · (570) 327-4520
Alternative Credit FAQs
- Can I apply for advanced placement toward my degree if I took related courses in high school?
- Do I qualify for advanced placement in an electronics degree major if I have completed electronics classes in the military?
- Can I earn course credit toward my electronics degree if I have completed electronics classes at another institution?
Can I receive course credit based on my work experience in the fields of ...
- electronics or civil engineering/surveying?
- welding, plastics, or machining/automated manufacturing?
Visit the College Alternative Credit FAQ Web page for general requirements and procedures.
Q: Can I apply for advanced placement toward my degree if I took related courses in high school?
A: Whether or not your high school participates in an advanced placement
program, your high school vocational instructors can complete a competency
assessment form detailing the pertinent skills you have gained in the high
school electronics, welding, machining, or computer-aided design (CAD)
classes. Penn College faculty will review this competency assessment form and
recommend advanced placement accordingly. A copy of the competency assessment
form can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office.
For students interested in a machining degree, the best way to gain
credit is to graduate from a National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
certified program. They provide certification on various machine shop skills.
Depending on the number and type of certifications, you may receive credit for
all or some of the basic machining courses.
Cisco/networking course work can allow for advanced placement if the student has obtained Cisco Certifies Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Contact the electronics department head for an interview. Bring copies of your certifications to the interview.
Q: Do I qualify for advanced placement in an electronics degree major if I have completed electronics classes in the military?
A: You may qualify for advanced placement. It will be necessary to arrange for an interview with the electronics department head (or a designee), who will make a recommendation to the dean as to the appropriateness of the advanced placement. If you have an ACE transcript, bring a copy to the interview. To make arrangements for an interview contact the school office.
Q: Can I earn course credit toward my electronics degree if I have completed electronics classes at another institution?
A: You may qualify for credit. If the institution has a defined articulation agreement with Penn College, the course equivalencies will already be defined and the Admissions Office can make the additions.
If there is no articulation agreement in place for your institution or there are questions on courses to be evaluated, it will be necessary to arrange for an interview with the electronics department head (or a designee), who will advise the dean as to the appropriateness of the credit. Bring a copy of our grade transcript and course syllabi to the interview.
Q: Can I receive course credit based on my work experience in the fields of electronics or civil engineering/surveying?
A: You may qualify to receive course credit for work experience. The procedure for making this determination is as follows:
- The student contacts the electronics or civil engineering department head to schedule an informal interview with the faculty member responsible for the course for which credit is being sought. During the interview the student is asked to explain his/her credentials or relevant background.
- The student is than asked to take a test representative of the material which is taught in the course. The type and complexity of the test varies by course and faculty member. The test can be oral or written in nature depending on the course. Performance criteria may be also be established in lieu of a written or oral test.
If the student successfully completes both phases, he/she is granted course credit. It should be noted that the faculty member who is evaluating the student may deny the credit request after the initial interview if insufficient knowledge of the material is suspected. It is solely the student’s responsibility to prove that he/she possesses appropriate knowledge of the course material.
There is an application fee charged for each course you wish reviewed. This fee is to be paid in advance of the review process and is not refundable, even if credit is not granted.
Q: Can I receive course credit based on my work experience in the fields of welding, plastics, or machining/automated manufacturing?
A: You may qualify to receive course credit for work experience. The procedure for making this determination is as follows:
- Ask your adviser or visit the school office for the necessary application form. This form is to be completed by your job supervisor and certifies the type and length of job experience.
- After a review your application materials, you may be asked to meet with the course instructor for an interview, complete a written test, and/or complete a hands-on test before credit may be recommended.
There is a fee charged for each course that you apply for credit. This fee is to be paid in advance of the review process. The fee is not refundable even if credit is not granted.