TYPES OF CREDIT

Credit toward a degree, certificate or program area can be earned in several ways acceptable to the college.

University parallel credit – Credit earned in courses designed for transfer to another college or four year university and which count toward degrees and certificates at Rend Lake College.

Occupational credit – Credit which is specifically designed for entry into an occupation and may or may not be acceptable as transfer credit toward a four-year baccalaureate degree.

General studies credit – Credit in general studies courses which are not transferable and are unrelated to the pursuit of a degree; this is credit given in self-improvement courses designed to meet the needs of district residents.

Transfer credit – Credit earned at another institution. Students must request that official transcripts from other colleges previously attended be sent to the Director of Student Records for transfer evaluation at least two weeks prior to registering for classes.

Military service credit – Credit awarded for learning experiences during military service. Members and former members of the Armed Services, upon presenting separation papers (DD-214) or Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service (DD-295), may be granted the following credits:

MILITARY SERVICE COLLEGE CREDIT

Students should contact the Director of Student Records to have the credit evaluated and posted.

Rend Lake College also grants credit for certain experience and training in the military service. Students must request official AARTS (Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System) or SMART (Sailor/Marine/American Council on Education Registry Transcript) transcripts be sent to the Director of Student Records for transfer evaluation at least two weeks prior to registering for classes.

Illinois Department of Corrections Academy Training – Based upon an agreement with the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Department of Corrections, Rend Lake College awards credit for training by the Illinois Department of Corrections. A student must be enrolled in the AAS in Corrections – Parole Officer Option or the AAS in Corrections – Correctional Officer/Youth Supervisor Option degree program to be eligible to receive this credit. Once enrolled in one of these programs, a student must present certification, in the form of either a Training Credit Memo issued by IDOC, a Law Enforcement Standards Board Certificate of Completion or an IDOC Academy Certificate of Completion, that he/she has successfully completed six (6) weeks of IDOC Academy training to the Director of Student Records. Credit will be posted to the student transcript upon successful completion of six credit hours in either of the AAS in Corrections programs. A student may receive up to 18 hours of credit toward the completion of one of the degrees mentioned above.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TRAINING

Correctional Officer / Youth Supervisor Option

Correctional Officer / Parole Officer Option

Illinois State Police Academy Credit – Based upon a recommendation by the Illinois Community College Board, Rend Lake College awards credit for training by the Illinois State Police. A student must present certification that he/she has successfully completed training to the Director of Student Records. A student may receive the following credits:

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
CRJS 2203 – Police Traffic Functions (3)
CRJS 2205 – Police Weapons and Defensive Tactics (3)
PYED 1160 – Aerobic Super-Circuit Fitness Center (1)

Credit by examination – Students at Rend Lake College are able to earn college credit by examination through one of the following:

1. CLEP – College-Level Examination Program General and Subject Examinations (see Counseling Center)
   
2. DANTES – Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Testing Program (see Counseling Center)
   
3. AP – Advanced Placement Program (High school students may apply for AP college credit, which can replace IAI courses; see the Director of Student Records )
   
4. Rend Lake College proficiency exams are available for specific Rend Lake College courses (see Instructor or Division Chair)

NOTE : No more than one-half the credit hours needed for a degree or certificate can be earned by examination, including CLEP, DANTES, AP or Rend Lake College proficiency exams, or any combination of credit by means other than classroom attendance.