Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning is the knowledge an skills gained through work and life experience; through military training and experience; and through formal and informal education and training at in-state and out-of-state institutions, including foreign institutions.
GHC Awards Credit for the Following Prior Learning:
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who have taken high school AP (Advanced Placement) classes may be eligible for credit at GHC. Please have the College Board submit documentation of the test scores directly to the Grays Harbor College Admissions & Records Office, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Grays Harbor College will grant a minimum elective credit for an AP score of 3 or higher for specific course equivalencies, please see the AP Scores Chart.
Advanced Placement (AP) Test Score Equivalencies at Washington Community and Technical Colleges
Credit by Examination (CLEP)
Credit by examination gives you the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through examination. It may allow you to skip ahead, save money and time. GHC accepts verified CLEP results and awards credit. More information about CLEP.
Military Service Credit
Grays Harbor College recognizes learning acquired in the military. A student may earn credits awarded by institutions listed in the ACE National Guide to Education Credit for Training Programs provided that the courses are at the college level. (see: Operational Policy 323 and Administrative Procedure 323.01). For more information contact the Grays Harbor College Admissions & Records Office, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520. See also: GHC Veterans Resources
Professional/Technical Credit
Credit may be awarded in workforce education programs for experiences and/or competencies gained outside of Grays Harbor College. After demonstrating competency of certain course learning outcomes through written and/or performance testing, credit may be granted for vocational or professional/technical education taken in proprietary colleges, military service schools or for verifiable journeyman-level work experience. Contact the instructor/advisor of the specific workforce preparation program for more information.
International Baccalaureate Credit
Grays Harbor College will grant a minimum elective credit in the relevant subject area for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) exam score of 5 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official IB results, not transcript notation. Students who wish to obtain credit towards a specific Grays Harbor College course or requirement other than general electives via IB must request a course substitution from the Vice President of Instruction.
Cambridge International
Grays Harbor college will grant a minimum elective credit for each Cambridge International Examination for an A-level exam with a passing grade or above for approved examinations. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official Cambridge International Examination results, not transcript notation. Duplicate credit for the same subject taken on different exams will not be granted. No grades are posted for A-level exams. Students who wish to obtain credit towards a specific Grays Harbor College course or requirement other than general electives via Cambridge International must request a course substitution from the Vice President of Instruction.
Cambridge International (CI) Test Score Equivalencies at Washington Community and Technical Colleges
Certain conditions apply to PRIOR LEARNING
- The student must be registered at GHC for the quarter in which non-traditional credits are requested.
- The student must have completed ten quarter credit hours at GHC.
- Credits awarded are identified as such on the student’s transcript, and are not calculated into the GPA.
- Non-traditional credits do not count toward residence requirements.
- The number of non-traditional credits awarded cannot exceed 25% of the total number of credits for a degree or a
- Transferability of these credits to other colleges will be subject to the policies of the receiving institution.