Credit For Prior Learning

Disclaimer: Students need to be aware that while Hutchinson Community College will accept transfer credit and credit by exam as listed below, other institutions have differing policies. Therefore, students should check with any other institution they plan to attend for its specific policy. The granting of credit for prior learning by HutchCC does not guarantee transferability to any other institution.

Credit from Regionally Accredited Institutions
All transfer credit will be evaluated in the semester hour system. All credits earned with a grade of “D” or higher and deemed to be above remedial level may be transferred and calculated into the student's cumulative GPA at Hutchinson Community College.

Transfer credits will be accepted from colleges and universities accredited by a regional agency recognized by Hutchinson Community College. The following regional accrediting agencies are recognized by HutchCC: 

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Commission of Technical and Career Institutions (NEASC-CTIC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCUU).
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges (SACS-CC)
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-Jr.)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-Sr.)

Approved Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) aligned courses/programs are accepted in entirety. 

The granting of transfer credit by Hutchinson Community College does not guarantee transferability to any other institution.

Hutchinson Community College reserves the right to not accept transfer equivalency work that may be more than 5 years old.

Procedures for Credit from Regionally Accredited Institutions

Student requests official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions be sent directly to the HutchCC Records Office in accordance with official guidelines (https://www.hutchcc.edu/transcripts). Once the official transcript and request for posting have been received, the Records Office reviews the transcript for transferability and posts course(s) to the official HutchCC transcript.  Review the current course equivalencies at https://www.hutchcc.edu/transcript-equivalency and the Kansas Core Alignments at http://www.kansasregents.org/transfer_articulation and KBOR Program Alignments at https://www.kansasregents.org/workforce_development/program-alignment.

• Courses that have not yet been evaluated will be reviewed based on course content, course credit hours and date the course was taken.  HutchCC reserves the right to not accept transfer equivalency work that may be more than 5 years old.

Credit from Collegiate Non-Accredited Institutions 

Credits from post-secondary institutions not accredited by a regional accrediting association may be accepted for evaluation and possible transfer of credit at the student's request.

The granting of this credit by HutchCC does not guarantee transferability to any other institution. 

Procedures for Credit from Collegiate Non-accredited Institutions

• Student requests official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions be sent directly to the HutchCC Records Office in accordance with official guidelines (https://www.hutchcc.edu/transcripts).

• Records Office receives and holds transcripts from a body that we do not recognize as accredited. 

• Upon student request, the Records Office submits to the appropriate Department Chair the Credit for Prior Learning from Collegiate Non-Accredited or International Institution & Military Training/Non-Collegiate Education Form and supporting documentation. 

• The appropriate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair reviews supporting documentation and indicates HutchCC award.  It is then sent to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

• The Vice President of Academic Affairs signs the form as acceptance of the award and forwards it to the Records Office.  Awards are posted to the transcript.  If course(s) are not accepted, the form is returned to the Department Chair for student notification.

Credit from International Institutions

Hutchinson Community College accepts international course work evaluated by World Education Services (https://www.wes.org/) or International Education Services (https://www.aacrao.org/resources/AACRAO-International/international-education-services).  If you elect to use this process, choose the course-by-course evaluation and request that the evaluating company send a copy of its evaluation directly to Hutchinson Community College-Records Office. The appropriate Department Chair at Hutchinson Community College will then use the evaluation to determine which courses will be accepted to fulfill associate degree requirements. 

The granting of transfer credit by HutchCC does not guarantee transferability to any other institution.

Hutchinson Community College reserves the right to not accept transfer equivalency work that may be more than 5 years old.

Procedures for Credit from International Institutions

• Student requests official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions be sent directly to the HutchCC Records Office in accordance with official guidelines (https://www.hutchcc.edu/transcripts).  Fees for international transcripts are the student’s responsibility. 
• The Records Office receives and holds any transcripts from a body that we do not recognize as accredited. 
• Upon student request, the Records Office submits to the appropriate Department Chair the Credit for Prior Learning from Collegiate Non-Accredited or International Institution & Military Training/Non-Collegiate Education Form and supporting documentation. 
• The appropriate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair reviews supporting documentation and indicates HutchCC award.  It is then sent to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• The Vice President of Academic Affairs signs the form as acceptance of the award and forwards it to the Records Office.  Awards are posted to the transcript.  If not accepted, the form is returned to the Department Chair for student notification.

Procedure for Credit from Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy and Newton - Brooks Regional Center for Career and Technical Education

Secondary and post-secondary students enroll in merged program classes within the given semester. Students receive letter grades which are posted to the transcript following HutchCC standard practice.

Credit for Military Training/Non-Collegiate Education

Students may earn college credit for non-collegiate educational experiences or armed services training. Credit is awarded based on the recommendations in the American Council on Education Guide and approval by the Department Chairperson where credit is requested.

The granting of this credit by HutchCC does not guarantee transferability to any other institution.

HutchCC reserves the right to not accept transfer equivalency work that may be more than 5 years old.

Procedure for Credit for Military Training/Non-Collegiate Education

• Student submits their educational experiences to ACE.
  • American Council on Education (ACE) and ACE Guides –Major coordinating body for higher education institutions in the U.S., providing leadership on 3rd party, unbiased credit equivalency recommendations among other services. ACE Guides are credit recommendations for formal instructional programs and examinations offered by non-collegiate agencies (including civilian employers, the military, professional associations, and other workplace-related training).
• The college receives ACE documentation at the student’s request.  The Records Office then submits the ACE evaluation and Credit for Prior Learning from Collegiate Non-Accredited or International Institution & Military Training/Non-Collegiate Education Form to the appropriate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair.
• The appropriate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair reviews supporting documentation and indicates HutchCC award.  It is then sent to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• The Vice President of Academic Affairs signs the form as acceptance of the award and forwards it to the Records Office.  Awards are posted to the transcript.  If not accepted, the form is returned to the Department Chair for student notification.

Credit for Recognized Credentials and/or Seminars

Credit from seminars and certificates of completion will be evaluated only upon student request and only if the student is a degree-seeking student and majoring in the field to which the request pertains. If the requirements listed above are met, and if credit is awarded, the credit will be applied to the student transcript after the start of the first semester of coursework at HutchCC.

The granting of this credit by HutchCC does not guarantee transferability to any other institution.

HutchCC reserves the right to not accept transfer equivalency work that may be more than 5 years old.\

Procedure for Credit for Recognized Credentials and/or Seminars

• Student submits the certificate and/or documentation to the appropriate Program Coordinator/Director for review.
• The appropriate Program Coordinator/Director reviews supporting documentation for equivalency in content and length.  Upon determination of equivalency, the Program Coordinator/Director completes the Credit for Prior Learning from Recognized Credentials and/or Seminars form and forwards the form and supporting documentation to the appropriate Department Chair.
• The Department Chair reviews and if approved, moves the documentation to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• The Vice President of Academic Affairs signs the form as acceptance of the award and forwards the form and supporting documentation to the Records Office. Awards are posted to the transcript.  If not accepted, the form is returned to the Department Chair for student notification.

Credit by Examination

The intent of credit by examination is to offer a method for students to demonstrate previously mastered competencies and to assist students in completion of educational goals at Hutchinson Community College. Credit awarded by examination at HutchCC may not transfer to other post secondary institutions. HutchCC does not accept credit awarded by departmental examination from other post secondary institutions.

Students may earn college credit by attaining qualifying scores on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement (AP) exams administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, International Baccalaureate (IB), and HutchCC Departmental Exams.

Credit earned by examination will be placed on the student's HutchCC transcript after the start of the student's first semester of coursework at HutchCC. A grade of "CR" will be placed on the transcript but will not be included in calculating grade point average. The credit will count toward a degree at HutchCC.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (CLEP Courses) (National Standardized Exams)

CLEP is a series of examinations that allow students to show their knowledge in a wide range of subject areas. College credit is awarded for attaining certain scores on selected CLEP examinations. For more information about taking CLEP examinations, visit the CLEP website at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html or contact the Hutchinson Community College Records Office by emailing records@hutchcc.edu.

Students must request their official transcript of CLEP scores be mailed to the HutchCC Registrar.

Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) (AP Courses)

AP refers specifically to courses offered in some high schools which are constructed and coordinated under the supervision of the College Entrance Examination Board. Before entering college, the student takes the examination, which is scored by Educational Testing Service. Students must request their official transcript of AP scores be mailed to the HutchCC Registrar. 

International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB) (IB Courses)
Hutchinson Community College awards credit to students who have participated in an International Baccalaureate program and have attained examination scores consistent with the guidelines available. Students must request their official transcript of IB scores be mailed to the HutchCC Registrar.

Cambridge International Examinations (CI) (CI Courses)
In alignment with Kansas Board of Regents guidelines, Hutchinson Community College will award credit for Cambridge International examination scores of E or above on Advanced Levels (A Levels) exams and E or above on Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Levels) exams when evaluated for the equivalent course or courses at HutchCC.    

Procedure: Credit by Exam CLEP, AP, IB, CI

• The student requests official CLEP/AP/IB/CI transcripts be sent directly to the HutchCC Records Office in accordance with official guidelines (https://www.hutchcc.edu/transcripts).
• A grade of “CR” is placed on the HutchCC transcript for all courses accepted by HutchCC.

Departmental Examination

Students may earn credit for HutchCC courses by passing an examination given by the appropriate HutchCC Department. To qualify to take a departmental exam, the student must be currently enrolled at HutchCC. Credit by departmental examination will not be awarded to students of high school standing. HutchCC does not accept credit awarded by departmental examination from other institutions.

The student must first verify with the appropriate HutchCC Department/Program that the course is subject to credit by departmental examination. The student will work with the department's representative to complete the Procedure Checklist and Approval Form for Credit by Departmental Examination. A student applying for credit by departmental examination must show acceptable background qualifications as determined by the HutchCC Department/Program. The student must pay the Credit by Departmental Examination non-refundable fee. The examination will not be administered until payment is verified. The HutchCC Registrar will transcript the credit, if awarded, as Credit (CR) no earlier than the beginning of the student's first semester of coursework at HutchCC.

Procedure: Credit by Departmental Examination

• Contact advisor or program coordinator to confirm a departmental exam is available. The course(s) that qualify for credit by departmental examination have been preselected within the department.
• Student and departmental exam instructor fill out the Approval Form for Credit by Departmental Examination (see Appendix) form and determine eligibility.
• Pay Business Office the $35.00 Credit by Exam fee.
• Student schedules time and date to take the common departmental course exam and instructor verifies payment.
• Upon completion of the exam the instructor indicates credit or no credit, signs the form, and forwards it to the Department Chairperson that the course resides with.
• Department Chairperson signs the form and sends it to the Registrar.
• Course grade is added to transcript after the start of the first semester at Hutchinson Community College.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

1. What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data. The act applies to all institutions that are the recipients of federal funding.

2. Who is protected under FERPA?

Students who are currently enrolled in higher education institutions or formerly enrolled regardless of their age or status in regard to parental dependency.

Parents of students termed “dependent” for income tax purposes may have access to the student’s educational records. Deceased students do not have rights under FERPA.

3. What are Educational Records?

“Educational Records” include any records in the possession of an employee which are shared with or accessible to another individual. FERPA coverage includes records, files, documents, and any information maintained in any way about a student. With certain exceptions, a student has the right of access to those records which are maintained by an educational institution or party authorized to keep records for the institution.

This would include transcripts or other records obtained from a school in which a student was previously enrolled.

FERPA contains no requirement that certain records be kept. This is a matter of institutional policy and/or state regulation. The records may be handwritten in print, computer files, generated information, magnetic tape, film, or other mediums.

4. What is not included in an Educational Record?

• Sole possession records or private notes held by educational personnel which are not accessible or released to other personnel
• Law enforcement or campus security records which are solely for law enforcement purposes
• Records relating to individuals who are employed by the institution (unless contingent upon attendance)
• Records relating to treatment provided by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other recognized professional or paraprofessional and disclosed only to individuals providing treatment
• Records of an institution which contain only information about an individual obtained after that person is no longer at that institution (i.e. alumni records)

5. What documents can be removed from an Educational Record before the student reviews it?

• Any information that pertains to another student
• Financial records of parents
• Some confidential letters of recommendation under conditions described in FERPA section 99.12.

6. What is Directory Information?

FERPA regulations define “Directory Information” as information contained in an education record of a student “that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy.” At HutchCC, this includes:

• Name
• Month and day of birth
• Current address and telephone number
• HutchCC e-mail address
• Major (pathway of study)
• Enrollment status (full-time, half-time, less than half-time)
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and certificates earned
• Honors and awards received
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Previous educational institutions attended
• Photographs taken by the college

HutchCC personnel reserve the right to refuse the release of any or all of the information listed above if in the institution’s judgment the release of the information might compromise the welfare of the student. Any issues resulting from these professional judgments should be taken to the HutchCC Registrar.

7. Who is entitled to student information?

• The student and any outside party who has the student’s written consent
• School officials who have “legitimate educational interests” as defined by FERPA
• Parents of a dependent student as defined by the IRS
• A judicial order or subpoena which allows the institution to release records without the student’s consent, however, a “reasonable effort” must be made to notify the student before complying with the order

8. When do you need consent to disclose personally identifiable information from an educational record (including transcripts)?

Students must authorize access to non-directory information for third parties before any disclosure is made.

The authorized consent must:

• Specify the records that may be disclosed
• State the purpose of the disclosure
• Identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made

9. When is the student’s consent not required to disclose information?

• To school officials with a legitimate educational need to know.
• To federal, state, and local authorities involving an audit or evaluation of compliance with educational programs
• In connection with financial aid (this includes veteran’s benefits)
• To organizations conducting studies on behalf of educational institutions
• To accrediting organizations
• To parents of dependent children (with appropriate documentation on file)
• To comply with judicial order or subpoena
• In a health or safety emergency
• When releasing directory information
• Releasing results of a disciplinary hearing to an alleged victim of a crime or violence
• To officials of another institution in which the student seeks or intends to enroll

10. Who should students contact at Hutchinson Community College for inspection of educational records?

The Hutchinson Community College Privacy Officer is the College Registrar. Contact can be made by phoning (620) 665-3500 or by e-mailing Records@Hutchcc.edu.

11. How does a student file a complaint?

A student may file a written complaint with the Department of Education regarding an alleged violation under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act at the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education        
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington D.C. 20202-4605

Graduation Requirements

Students applying for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts, or Associate of General Studies degree must have earned a minimum of 25 percent of total credit hours from Hutchinson Community College (“HutchCC” and/or “the College”).

Students applying for the Associate of Applied Science degree or stackable credential certificate programs are required to complete a minimum of 25 percent of total credit hours at Hutchinson Community College in the technical field for which the degree is granted. Technical coursework transferred from other institutions will be reviewed by the appropriate HutchCC program coordinator, department chair or their representative.

All students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to graduate. Certain programs have separate grade requirements. Students should check with their advisor.

HutchCC posts degrees at three different periods during the school year: the date of the May commencement ceremony, July 31, and December 15. Student diplomas will bear the same dates as the completed transcripts although the College will hold only one commencement exercise per year.  Students who have applied for graduation must complete the requirements within a calendar year or must reapply for graduation. Students entering programs with selective admission requirements may have different graduation dates based upon state testing requirements.

Although advisers, department chairpersons and the Records Office staff assist in checking requirements, students are ultimately responsible for meeting graduation requirements.

Students shall follow the guidelines of the catalog under which they begin, provided they remain continuously enrolled at HutchCC from the semester of entry to the semester of graduation. Continuous enrollment is defined as the successful completion of at least one class during each semester (excluding summer sessions). Students who are not continuously enrolled from the date of entry to the date of graduation shall follow the guidelines of the catalog under which they reenter.

Students entering programs with selective admission requirements are required to meet current catalog admission standards.

Hutchinson Community College Graduate Profile

HutchCC graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and make reasonable judgments by analyzing, combining, and evaluating information.
2. Demonstrate the skills necessary to access and manipulate information through various methods.
3. Demonstrate effective communication through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
4. Demonstrate effective interpersonal and collaborative skills.
5. Demonstrate effective quantitative-reasoning and computational skills.

General Education Philosophy

The general education requirements at HutchCC are specific requirements that represent the philosophy of education to provide an adequate body of common knowledge necessary to assure a broadly based liberal education. These courses strive to provide proficiency in writing, reading, speaking and listening; they teach mathematical structures which acquaint students with critical thinking skills; they encourage an understanding of science and scientific inquiry; and they provide familiarity with various branches of human understanding.

Each degree program at HutchCC contains an integrated framework of general education requirements. This emphasis helps students understand they are not only trained but also educated and that they are not only individuals but also members of the greater human community. It is a belief that these requirements can enrich the lives of students, broaden their perspectives, and make learning a lifelong enterprise.

Requirements for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of General Studies Degrees

A student may qualify for an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an associate of Fine Arts degree by completing a program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 credit hours, with 34-25 of those hours in general education courses from each of the areas listed below. To satisfy the Systemwide General Education Framework, 6 credit hours of the General Electives will include the approved institutional Options.

Associate of Arts

• English Option - 6 credit hours
• Communications Options - 3 credit hours
• Math Options - 3 credit hours
• Natural and Physical Science Options - 4 credit hours
• Social Science Options - 6 credit hours
• Arts & Humanities Options - 9 credit hours
• General Electives - 29 credit hours

Associate of Science

• English Option - 6 credit hours
• Communications Options - 3 credit hours
• Math Options - 3 credit hours
• Natural and Physical Science Options - 9 credit hours
• Social Science Options - 6 credit hours
• Arts & Humanities Options - 6 credit hours
• General Electives - 27 credit hours

Associate of Fine Arts

• English Option - 6 credit hours
• Communications Options - 3 credit hours
• Math Options - 3 credit hours
• Natural and Physical Science Options - 4 credit hours
• Social Science Options - 6 credit hours
• Arts & Humanities Options - 9 credit hours
• Fine Arts Electives - 21 credit hours
• Capstone Electives - 2 credit hours
• General Electives - 6 credit hours

A student may qualify for an Associate of General Studies degree by completing a program of study consisting of 60 credit hours, with a minimum of 30 of those hours in general education courses consisting of

• English Options - 6 credit hours
• Communications Options - 3 credit hours
• Math Options - 3 credit hours
• Natural and Physical Science Options - 4 credit hours
• Social Science Options - 6 credit hours
• Arts & Humanities Options - 6 credit hours
• Necessary Skills - 2 credit hours
• General Electives - 30 credit hours

Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree

A student may qualify for an Associate of Applied Science degree by completing a planned program of study consisting of 60 credit hours as listed in the catalog as follows:

1. Specialization in the chosen technical field and related contextual courses (minimum of 45 college credits)
2. General education courses from at least three of the following areas (minimum of 15 college credits):
   • Arts and Humanities
   • Communication
   • Math
   • Science
   • Social Science
   • Necessary Skills

A student transferring to Hutchinson Community College must complete a minimum of 25 percent of total credit hours in the technical field for which the degree is granted.

The electives requirement may be waived for students in those programs in which the number of credit hours in a selected curriculum mandated by an outside agency causes the graduation requirements to exceed 60 credit hours.

Students in Associate Degree Nursing, Health Information Management, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, and Surgical Technology curricula must meet the accrediting agency requirements. The Vice President of Academic Affairs must give written approval for an exception to the selected curriculum.

A student may receive more than one Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students applying for graduation from an AAS degree program with more than a five-year interruption in their educational program will have their transcripts reviewed by the appropriate program area for current program competencies.

Requirements of Certificates

A student may qualify for a Technical Certificate for programs of instruction that are less than 60 semester hours in length but more than 15 semester hours. Certificates of Completion may be awarded for a course or a sequence of courses not exceeding 15 semester hours.

Certificates range from a Certificate of Completion (1-15 credit hours), Certificate A (16-29 credit hours), Certificate B (30-44 credit hours), and a Certificate C (45-59 credit hours). Certificates under the same program are stackable, students may earn multiple certificates from the same program.

A student transferring to Hutchinson Community College must complete a minimum of 25 percent of total credit hours in the technical field for which the certificate is granted.