Prior Learning Credit
The knowledge you have gained outside of our classrooms is valuable. If you have studied a subject independently or completed college-level coursework but do not have an acceptable transcript, you may be able to earn academic credit through several options available at SDState.
Is Prior Learning Credit right for you?
Consider the following questions:
- Have you participated in formal/informal work training or continuing education programs?
- Have you studied a subject area or areas independently?
- Have you obtained professional certifications?
- What other learning experiences have you participated in?
Explore the options to determine what may be a good fit for you.
Explore the options below to determine what prior learning credit pathways may be a good fit for you.
Advanced Placement (AP)
The Advanced Placement examination is given at the high-school level. Usually a student completes an Advanced Placement course in high school then takes the Advanced Placement test at the end of the course. Students receiving an Advanced Placement examination score that meets South Dakota Board of Regents guidelines may apply for credit to be transcribed.
A student's Advanced Placement score report is sent to SDSU when the student places SDSU's school code (6653) on their test registration application. If you did not have your score report sent to SDSU, you may order an official copy from the College Board.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are national tests that students can take to demonstrate college level proficiency for prior learning.
The South Dakota Board of Regents has identified courses that may be validated by CLEP exams. When a course is validated by an exam, the degree-seeking student receives a CR on their transcript rather than a letter grade, and it does not calculate into the student's cumulative grade-point average.
SDSU is a designated national testing center for CLEP. For more information on taking the CLEP at the SDSU Testing Center, please visit our CLEP exam page.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
DSST exams are an option for all students. Visit the South Dakota Board of Regents site for course equivalency information.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
South Dakota State University recognizes the International Baccalaureate program. Credit may be received in certain subjects through the program, if an acceptable score is earned. Visit the SDBOR Tableau for more information about International Baccalaureate and prior learning credit.
Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
The Defense Language Proficiency Test is a series of exams utilized by the U.S. military and federal government designed to assess language proficiency of a foreign language.
Cambridge International AS and A Levels
Credit can be awarded in certain subjects through Cambridge International if an acceptable score is earned.
General Educational Development (GED)
General Educational Development test recipients may be eligible to use scores for placement or for college credit depending on the exam score achieved. If an individual scores between 165-174, they are designated as college ready. Scores between 175-200 demonstrate proficiency and can be eligible for awarding college credit.
UEXCEL
UEXCEL is no longer available for use; however, transfer students with UEXCEL credit transcripts at an accredited university will be awarded transfer credit.
Institutional Challenge by Examination
If a standardized test is not available for a course for which a student wishes credit, a special examination may be established. Visit the Institutional Challenge by Examination page for more information.
Institutional Challenge by Portfolio
An Institutional Challenge by Portfolio is just one way students may be able to earn credit based on previous learning not already validated by a grade for a college-level course. Explore this option to see if it is the right choice for you.
Industry Certifications and Training
Students who have completed certain industry certifications or training may be eligible for prior learning credit. For more information, please review common certifications for prior learning credit in SDSU programs and the SDBOR Tableau site.
To have Prior Learning Credit placed upon a transcript, you must be a degree-seeking student at a South Dakota Board of Regents institution.
Request for Application for Placement Credit
Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST, International Baccalaureate, Defense Language Proficiency Test, Cambridge International or UExcel credits
The South Dakota Board of Regents has issued an update to its application for placement credit policy guidelines. You must be an active, degree-seeking student (not dual credit or nondegree-seeking) and beyond the add/drop date of your first semester at SDState in order for us to verify your credits.
Additionally, this process may be delayed if we have not yet received your official score report from your testing entity.
If these criteria are not yet met, we will continue to monitor and verify your credits once complete. While there is no transcribing fee for Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, International Baccalaureate, Defense Language Proficiency Test, Cambridge International or UExcel, we do require you to request the credits you would like transcribed.
- Follow the steps below to request credits be added to your transcript:
- Go to RegisterBlast.
- Note: This form is to request credits be verified and added to your transcript. This is not an appointment to test.
- Complete the form as follows:
- Drop-down one and two should be prepopulated.
- Go to RegisterBlast.
- Application for Placement Credit Request.
- Application for Placement Credit Request (College Level Examination Program; Advanced Placement; DANTES Subject Standardized Tests; International Baccalaureate; A-Level; General Educational Development; Defense Language Proficiency Test; American Council on Education/UEXCEL).
- Read this statement to understand you are not creating an appointment to test, simply selecting credits to add to your transcript.
- Complete the required information.
- Official score report acknowledgement.
- Add to cart.
- Complete the transaction.
Once verified, we will send applicable credits to the registrar. Keep an eye on your DegreeWorks for completion.
Fundamentals of Flight Theory and Introductory Flight I
Course name: Fundamentals of Flight Theory (3 credits) and Introductory Flight I (2 credits)
Course number: AVIA 170 and AVIA 171
Credit(s): 5
Special directions: Credit is awarded when the SDSU Aviation Prior Learning Credit DocuSign form is signed by the aviation program coordinator and is routed to the Testing Center, a current pilot's license is uploaded into RegisterBlast and payment for the credit is paid for in RegisterBlast.
Preprofessional First Aid and CPR
Course name: Preprofessional First Aid and CPR
Course number: HLTH 250
Credit(s): 2
Special directions: The SDSU Prior Learning Credit DocuSign form must be signed by the student's advisor, the health education coordinator, college dean and vice provost for undergraduate education prior to the exam. Students must pass a supplemental first aid exam with a 80% or greater. The exam is administered in the Testing Center at SDSU. The appointment is made on RegisterBlast where current first aid and CPR cards must be uploaded prior to the exam.
Emergency Medical Technician
Course name: Emergency Medical Technician and Lab
Course number: HLTH 364/L
Credit(s): 4
Special directions: Credit is awarded when the SDSU Emergency Medical Technician Prior Learning Credit DocuSign form is signed by the student's advisor, the EMT program coordinator, college dean and vice provost for undergraduate education and is routed to the Testing Center and a current certificate from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is uploaded into RegisterBlast.
Food Service Sanitation
Course name: Food Service Sanitation
Course number: HMGT 251
Credit(s): 1
Special directions: Credit is awarded when the SDSU Food Service Sanitation Prior Learning Credit DocuSign form is signed by the student's advisor, the course instructor, college dean and vice provost for undergraduate education and is routed to the Testing Center and a current certificate from the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation with the ServSafe registration number is uploaded into RegisterBlast.
Medical Terminology
Course name: Medical Terminology
Course number: NURS 201
Credit(s): 1
Special directions: Credit is awarded when the SDSU Medical Terminology Prior Learning Credit DocuSign form is signed by the student's advisor, college dean and vice provost for undergraduate education and is routed to the Testing Center and a current certificate or transcript is uploaded into RegisterBlast.
Occupational Safety and Health Management
Course name: Occupational Safety and Health Management
Course number: GE 425
Credit(s): 3
Special directions: Students must submit their current Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification for credit via RegisterBlast.
Child Development Associate Certification
Course name: Early Experience and Lab (2 credits), Child Development I: Prenatal to 2 (3 credits), Field Experience (1 credit), Child Development II: 3 to 8 years (3 credits)
Course number: ECE 150/L, ECE 240, ECE 196, ECE 241
Credit(s): 9
Special directions: Students who have completed the Child Development Associate certification through the South Dakota Department of Social Services or Smart Horizons are eligible to receive nine credits of early childhood education courses. Students must submit documentation of Child Development Associate certification through RegisterBlast to receive credit.
