Natural Resources Management
Alternative Credit
The School of Natural Resources Management recognizes several means through which you may earn alternative college credit including:
- articulation agreements with secondary schools
- competency assessment of completed technical coursework
- work/life experience
- credit by exam
- military experience
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for general requirements and procedures about alternative credit at Penn College. Information specifically related to the School of Natural Resources may be found by clicking on the tab for the various alternative credit options.
Articulation with Secondary Schools
Penn College has established articulation agreements with the following secondary schools. If students meet the scholastic criteria, the student will receive advanced credit for their work. Students must submit a Penn College Application for Admission.
Diesel Equipment & On-Site Power Generation Technology
- If you are enrolling in:
- You may get advanced credit for the courses:
- If you attended:
- Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Severn, MD
- Berks Career and Technology Center, Oley, PA
- Butler County Area Vocational-Technical, Butler, PA
- Carroll County Public Schools, Westminster, MD
- Cumberland Perry AVTS, Mechanicsburg, PA
- Monroe Career and Technical Institute, Bartonsville, PA
- Seneca Highlands AVTS, Port Allegany, PA
- SUN Area Technical Institute, New Berlin, PA
- And meet this criteria:
- Completed an appropriate technical program at the secondary level with grades of B or higher.
- Received a competent or advanced score on the end of course assessment (NOCTI/NA3SA) in Diesel Technology
- Completed Articulation Form submitted to Penn College's Office of Admissions.
Landscape/Horticulture Technology
- If you are enrolling in:
- You may get advanced credit for one or more of these courses:
- If you attended:
- Admiral Peary AVTS, Ebensburg, PA
- Berks Career and Technical Center, Leesport, PA
- Central Westmoreland CTC, New Stanton, PA
- Eastern Center for Arts & Technology, Willow Grove, PA
- Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville,PA
- Northern High School, Dillsburg, PA
- And meet this criteria:
- Completed an appropriate technical program at the secondary level with grades of B or higher.
Forest Technology
- If you are enrolling in:
- Forest Technology (FR)
- You may get advanced credit for the course:
- Open Elective - Clearfield HS, Clearfield, PA
- Open Elective - Somerset Co. Technology Center, Somerset, PA
- And meet this criteria: Complete the appropriate technical program at the secondary level
Upon completion of the Application for Admission, the appropriate paperwork will be forwarded to the secondary school by the Penn College Office of Admissions. Students are responsible for ensuring that the proper paperwork and the NOCTI scores have been submitted prior to July 1st of the year entering Penn College. Students will be notified if they have met all of the criteria for advanced credit.
Competency Assessment
Competency assessments have been established by the Forestry (FR) and Landscape/Horticulture Technology (LE and LP) programs. Students enrolled in a technical-vocational programs may request a competency assessment after submitting a Penn College Application for Admission. Incoming students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office and request a competency assessment form be sent to their secondary instructor. Upon review of the documentation, the School of Natural Resources Management may request that the student take an advanced placement examination as part of the competency assessment.
Typical courses that Landscape/Horticulture Technology students may be considered for advanced placement include:
Typical courses that Forestry students may be considered for advanced placement include:
Students are responsible for ensuring that the proper paperwork has been submitted prior to July 1st of the year entering Penn College.
Work/Life Experience
The College recognizes that many individuals acquire rich academic and technical experiences through working and/or living in a particular situation. If you feel that your work or living experiences warrant consideration for academic credit for courses in your major, submit your request in writing to the Dean of the School of Natural Resources Management. Please include the course number and course name in your request. The request must be submitted before the completion of the third week of the semester or before the completion of the 20% period of scheduled instruction for that course. Preferably, the request should be submitted prior to enrolling in the course. Request submitted after the start of the semester will be subject to refund policies. It is strongly recommended that you pursue this option prior to the first day of class.
Prior to submitting the request, carefully review the course objectives listed on the course abstract, available from the School Office. It is in your best interest to include supporting background information such as copies of certificates, assessments, portfolio, workshops attended, etc. with your request. The administration and faculty reserve the right to request that an examination for the course, in addition to the review, be administered as part of the review process.
Credit by Exam
Students requesting to “test out” of a course in the school’s 100- or 200-level courses must send a written request to the Dean of the School of Natural Resources Management. Course abstracts are available by contacting the school office. Be sure to include the course number and course name as well as the reason for the request. It is in your best interest to include supporting background information such as copies of certificates, assessments, portfolio, workshops attended, etc. with your request.
The exam must be taken before the completion of the third week of the semester or before the completion of the 20% period of scheduled instruction for that course. Preferably, the request should be submitted prior to enrolling in the course. Exams completed after the start of the semester will be subject to refund policies. It is strongly recommended that you pursue this option prior to the first day of class.
Military Experience
Military experience is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an assessment of your military experience, please contact the Office of Admissions.
More information about military experience.
