Course Credit
The semester hour is the unit of credit which equals the amount of credit given for 1 clock hour in class per week for 16 weeks (or the equivalent). Most classes meet 2 times per week and carry a 3-semester-hour credit. For each 3-credit lecture class, a total of 48 clock hours is required. Some lab courses carry additional credit, and hours may vary. Full-time status is equal to 12 credit hours in spring or fall semesters and 6 hours in summer sessions.
The normal course load for a student is 15 semester hours during a regular term, or 6 hours during a summer term. Generally, the maximum credit hour in a regular term is 18 hours, although some technical programs may specify more. Students outside these technical areas who wish to take more than 18 credit hours in the fall or spring semesters or more than 6 credit hours in the summer session must request permission from the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Vice President of Academics.
Credit for Previous Training (PLA)
Black River Technical College recognizes students may have gained college-level knowledge through learning outside the college. BRTC recognizes nationally standardized exams such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP), as well as military credit through the American Council on Education (ACE), high school Articulated Credit, State and National Licensures, Nationally recognized professional certifications, and BRTC Prior Learning Credit.
Prior Credit Policy
It is the policy of this institution that an evaluation of previous education and training will be conducted, appropriate credit granted, if applicable, the institution’s duration in the course will be shortened proportionately, and that the Veteran’s Administration and the student will be so notified. VA credit will be given prior training for Veterans and eligible programs.
Authority 38 CFR 21.4253.
Note: Any credit awarded through this policy may not be transferable to another institution of higher learning. Students will need to check with receiving institution for final approval. A student may not complete more than 75% of their required credit hours for any certificate program, or more than 50% of their required credit hours for any diploma through prior learning credit.
Eligibility for ACE, AP, CLEP, and CLEST Course Credit
- Students may be awarded course credit for BRTC-eligible courses with required AP or CLEP scores.
- Students may be eligible to receive college credit based on their military training by providing their ACE transcript for evaluation.
- Students must contact the Registrar’s Office no later than the end of their first semester to request AP or articulated credit to the student’s transcript.
- Students holding state licensures or professional certifications should contact the Registrar’s Office during their college application process to request a review of these documents.
- Students will be assessed the appropriate fee(s) based on the assessment they are requesting for ACE, AP, CLEP, or CLEST credit.
- Students may be limited in the number of attempts allowed for certain challenge assessments, students should contact the Registrar’s Office
- Students must follow all graduation requirements stipulated by the current BRTC catalog at the time a request is made.
Eligibility for Articulated Credit
- Students may be eligible to apply for college credit for specific high school courses which are included in the articulation agreement between BRTC and the respective high school.
- There are no fees required for articulated credit.
Eligibility for Custom Course Challenge Examination, Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio, or Industry Certification and Licensures Credit
- Student should contact the appropriate dean or instructor to determine course eligibility for their degree program.
- Custom Course Challenge Examination, Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio, or Industry Certification and Licensures.
General Information
- Students must submit request for and successful completion of credit by examination or portfolio along with all proper fees prior to credit being assigned to a student’s transcript.
- Students seeking credit for Professional Industry Certification and Licensures must hold valid/non-expired certification or licensures prior to BRTC credit being applied to the student’s transcript.
- Financial Aid does NOT cover the cost of Custom Course Challenge Examination, Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio/Final Exam, or Industry Certification and Licensure credit requests.
- Non-refundable fees for each Custom Course Challenge Examination, Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio/Final Exam, or Industry Certification and Licensure requests are payable through the BRTC’s Finance Office and payment is required prior to credit being applied to a student’s transcript
Additional Information for Custom Course Challenge Examinations
- Student must achieve a passing score on the custom course challenge exam in order to earn credit for the course toward the student’s program of study
- Custom Course Challenge Examinations are NOT offered if a comparable CLEP examination is available
- Custom Course Challenge Examinations for any BRTC course may be attempted only once.
National & State Licensures
Must be valid with no restrictions. Including, but not limited to the following:
- Licensed Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registered or Certified Respiratory Therapist
- National Phlebotomy Certification
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician – EMT & Paramedic
- National Restaurant Association (ServSafe)
- State of Arkansas Nursing Assistant Certification
Professional Certifications
Must be valid and current at the time of application. Including, but not limited to the following:
- American Welding Society Certification
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification
- Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training
- Arkansas Fire Training Academy
- CompTIA
- International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
- Law Enforcement Certifications
- Microsoft Professional IT certifications
- Microsoft Office Specialist certifications
- National Center for Construction Education and Research
- National Fire Academy Certifications
Non-Credit Training/On the Job Training (OJT)/ Military DD214, NGB-22, or Certificate of Completion Basic Training
- Students completing approved non-credit classroom training through BRTC Corporate & Community education must provide valid course completion certificates along with application and appropriate fee(s) for credit review. Other non-credit classroom training may potentially be accepted after formal review.
- Students completing approved OJT hours can apply for potential credit toward BRTC degrees and certificates. These OJT opportunities must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Dean and Vice President of Academics prior to credit being awarded to a student’s transcript. Industry supervisors for OJT must be verified and approved to meet all ADHE and HLC credentialing requirements.
- OJT (directly supervised and documentable training) credit hours will be assigned based on ADHE-approved hour(s) requirements as follows:
- A formal lecture course with extensive assigned reading or other out-of-class preparation is awarded one-semester credit for a minimum of 750 minutes or 12.5 hours of classroom instruction.
- A laboratory class with moderate out-of-class preparation is awarded one-semester credit for a minimum of 1500 minutes or 25 hours of laboratory instruction
- Clinical, practicum, internship, shop instruction or other self-paced learning activities involving work-related experience with little or no out-of-class preparation is awarded one-semester credit for a minimum of 2250 minutes or 37.5 hours of work-related instruction.
- DD214 Military Documentation: Applicant must have been honorably discharged.
- NGB-22 Military Documentation: Applicant must have been honorably discharged
- Certificate of Completion for Basic Training
Course Overrides
Overrides will be granted if the student requesting the override is graduating in the current semester and/or extenuating hardship has occurred requiring a student to be enrolled in a certain class. Permission from the Vice President of Academics is required for all overrides.
Repeating Courses
Students may repeat a course. Both courses will appear on the transcript. The highest grade will be used to compute GPA.
2022 – 2023 Course Credit Information BRTC Catalog
Policies and Procedures Manual – Policy Number 7130 – Evaluation of Transferred Credit