Credit for Prior Learning

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Aims recognizes that learning happens in many ways. While some students transfer college credits earned at other institutions, others have gained knowledge and competencies outside of formal education settings. This type of learning, known as experience-based learning, can occur in various non-college environments - including the workplace, the home, the military, service organizations, or through independent learning (such as mass media).

Aims acknowledges that both transfer credit and experience-based learning may be equivalent to Aims courses.

To request credit for prior learning, students must:

• Submit an Application for Admission

• Declare a degree or certificate program

Credit for prior learning can be earned through:

• A Course Challenge taken at Aims

• Approved standardized tests (see details below)

Please note:

• Credit for prior learning, except challenge exams, do not count towards residency requirements

• It does not apply toward eligibility for Financial Aid or Veterans’ benefits

For more details on procedures and requirements, contact Registration and Records or speak with your academic advisor.

Appeals Process

If a student wishes to challenge the decision regarding course transferability or placement made during the initial transcript evaluation, they must submit a written letter of appeal to the Registration and Records Office within fifteen (15) calendar days of the decision. A written response will be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days, sent to the student’s official Aims email account.

For state guaranteed general education courses, an additional appeal level is available if the college-level appeal is denied. Students may file an appeal with the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) if they believe one of the following applies:

• Lack of appropriate policies or procedures required by CDHE

• Aims did not follow its established policies or procedures

• Aims did not respond to the student’s written appeal within 30 days

Please note: CDHE’s appeal process does not address disputes related to grades or billing. These matters fall outside CDHE’s authority, though CDHE may be able to facilitate a meeting or direct students to the appropriate campus contact.

Articulation Agreements

Community colleges are recognized for their strengths in accessibility, affordability, and teaching support (ERIC). At Aims Community College, we are dedicated to helping students either begin a university-parallel curriculum (2 + 2) or develop strong career and technical skills for the workforce.

To support these goals, Aims partners with 4-year institutions across Colorado and nationwide through two types of articulation agreements:

• University-wide agreements

• Program-specific agreements

These agreements help students seamlessly transfer credits and earn a head start toward a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education at https://cdhe.colorado.gov/transfer-degrees.

Course Challenge

Students who believe their prior training or experience adequately covers a course’s content may request to challenge the course for credit:

• Credit earned through a challenge exam is equivalent to passing a cumulative final exam or a comparable series of assessments

• The type of examination will vary based on the course and is arranged and evaluated by the faculty who teach the course

• Only certain courses, as designated by each academic division, are eligible for challenge

For details and eligibility, contact the Registration and Records Office at records@aims.edu, or visit the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit Policy page.

International Transcript Translation

Students are responsible for having international transcripts translated into English through a recognized translation service. The evaluation must be completed as a course-by-course review before submitting the transcripts to Aims.

In many cases, students must also request detailed course descriptions or translations to ensure proper evaluation.

Published Guides

Formal military and business/industry training may be evaluated for transfer credit using recognized Published Guides.

• Military Training
  The American Council on Education (ACE) Military Program provides credit recommendations for military training, as documented on the Military Joint Services Transcript. Credit is awarded based on The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.

• Business and Industry Training
  Credit for formal business or industry training is awarded using recommendations from The Directory of the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI).

To receive transfer credit, students must:

1. Be admitted to Aims Community College

2. Submit official results to the Registration and Records Office for evaluation

Standardized Testing

Aims Community College awards transfer credit for achievement and knowledge gained outside the traditional classroom through approved standardized exams, including:

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

• Advanced Placement Program (AP)

• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education (DANTES)

• American College Testing - Proficiency Examination Program (ACT-PEP)

• Excelsior College Exams (formerly Regents College Exams)

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams

To receive transfer credit, students must:

1. Be admitted to Aims Community College

2. Submit official test results to the Registration and Records Office for evaluation

Transferring Credit Out of Aims

Since January 2003, the State of Colorado has guaranteed the transferability of approved general education courses between Colorado public colleges and universities under the statewide general education transfer policy.

• Approved general education courses taken at Colorado community colleges will transfer seamlessly to participating Colorado public institutions

• Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their transfer advisor for guidance tailored to their specific major or degree goals

• For more information, visit the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) website: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/transfer-degrees

• Transfer advisors at Aims are available to assist students with questions and planning related to transferring credits

Transferring Credit to Aims

Undergraduate credits earned from institutions of higher education holding full regional accreditation from one of the six formerly regional accrediting associations, may be transferred toward an Aims Community College degree or certificate program. However, please note:

• Credits older than ten years may not apply to certain degree or certificate programs

• The college reserves the right to review all credits to determine content equivalency. Coursework found to be non-equivalent or containing obsolete content may not be accepted for transfer

• To be eligible, courses must have been completed with a grade of “C-” or better at an accredited college, university, or other approved institution

Transferred credits are recorded on the student’s permanent record as earned credit only, without grades or quality points.

For institutions on the quarter credit system, transfer is calculated using the formula:

• 1 quarter hour = ⅔ semester hour

• 1 semester hour = 1½ quarter hours

Please note that some quarter-system courses may not match the clock hours of semester-system courses and may not be considered equivalent.

Aims Credit Requirements

• Degrees
  At least 15 semester hours of applicable coursework must be completed at Aims

• Certificates
  At least 50% of applicable coursework must be completed at Aims

Transfer Credit Process

To receive transfer credit, students must:

• Be admitted to Aims

• Have official transcripts sent directly to Aims from all previously attended colleges or universities. Transcripts must be mailed or sent electronically through a secure system; faxed transcripts are not accepted

• Hand-delivered transcripts are accepted only if they are sealed and official. Unofficial or opened transcripts are not accepted

The Registrar will determine the number and nature of transfer credits applicable toward a student’s program.

Official transcripts and supporting documents (such as course descriptions or syllabi, if requested) become part of the student’s official file and cannot be returned. Aims does not issue or certify copies of transcripts from other institutions.

Transfer credit evaluations will be completed within 30 calendar days of receipt by the Registration and Records Office.

If a student has questions or concerns about the evaluation decision, they should first contact the Registration and Records Office. If concerns remain, the student may submit a written appeal to the Registrar.