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Admissions > Credit For Prior Learning

Earn Credit For What You Already Know

Many students enroll at Blackhawk Technical College with the potential to get college credit toward a degree or diploma because they have attended a different college or university, have professional experience or took college courses in high school. It’s also possible to be granted credit for career-related knowledge and skills you’ve already mastered.

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Transfer Credit

Upon your acceptance to the college, we will review any official transcripts you have submitted. You will receive credit for approved coursework, which will appear as "TR" credits on your Blackhawk transcripts and will not be included in determining your grade point average.

No more than 75% of program coursework may be earned through the Credit for Prior Learning process. If you register for a course which the College later grants credit, you may choose to drop/withdraw from the course. However, you will be held responsible for all appropriate fees incurred.

Student with instructor at computer

Transfer Credit Details

  • Coursework must be transferred from another nationally or regionally accredited, higher education institution
  • Course(s) must be identified on your official transcript
  • Course(s) being transferred must be equivalent in content
  • Course(s) being transferred must meet or exceed the credit value of its equivalent course
  • Grade Point of at least 2.0 ("C" or higher) on a 4.0 scale must have been earned in the course
  • Transcripts showing 15 or more earned credits (passed with a "C" or higher) in the last 10 years are exempt from the Course Age Limit Policy

  • Complete degree must come from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
  • Degrees earned in the last 20 years are exempt from the Course Age Limit Policy
  • Degrees earned more than 20 years ago are subject to the Course Age Limit Policy

Approved time limits on the applicability of courses to program admission and completion are available in program admission documents. The college does reserve the right to deny prior coursework if significant changes in the area of study have occurred, or if current knowledge is necessary for student success. For example, computer coursework or allied health courses may have changed significantly and may no longer satisfy degree requirements due to changes in technology or professional practices.

Approved Age Limits for Transfer-In of Courses

Courses included in an earned degree, whether from BTC or another institution, and transcripts showing 15 or more earned credits (passed with a "C" or higher) in the last 10 years are exempt from the age limits listed below:
  • Five Years – All Math and Science Courses; CST/ITS; Computer Service Technician; Manufacturing Information Technician Specialist; Criminal Justice Studies; IT-Network Specialist; IT-Web Software Developer; Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT); and Nursing Assistant
  • One Year – All Clinical and Lab Courses (Health Sciences)

Work & Life Experience

You may be granted course credit for if you feel you have acquired knowledge equivalent to college credit through work, apprenticeship, business, industrial, or other applied experience. Please note there are costs associated to the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for evaluating work experience credits.

To be eligible, you need to enroll in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at Blackhawk and take a minimum of 25 percent of your total required program credits at Blackhawk. Your advisor will review documentation and help you understand how prior learning may assist you with completing your academic plan.

Automotive students in lab

Your Experience Counts. Gain Credit!

Blackhawk Technical College may grant course credit for students who feel they have acquired knowledge equivalent to college credit through work, apprenticeship, business, industrial, or other applied experience.

Please note the costs associated to the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for evaluating work experience credits:

  • $90 – PLA Skills Demonstration
  • $90 – PLA Portfolio

Review Course Descriptions

Review Blackhawk Technical College’s program course descriptions and competencies to determine if your skills and prior knowledge align with course credits

Meet with Your Advisor 

Meet with your assigned advisor to review documentation and help you understand how prior learning may assist you with completing your academic plan. Advisors will also help you complete the required paperwork and submit it to the appropriate individual / department.

Prepare Documentation

Gather supporting documentation of your related experiences.

Required supporting documentation includes:
  • Cover letter describing the rationale for the request for course credit
  • Résumé detailing work experience
  • Reference(s) from current or past employer(s)
Additional documentation may include:
  • Job description (current or past duties that relate to the course)
  • Work samples and examples
  • Industry standard certifications, licenses, training, and/or recognition

Check Your Blackhawk Email

Check your Blackhawk email regarding the decision about your request.

  • To be eligible, you need to enroll in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at Blackhawk Technical College.
  • You must take a minimum of 25 percent of your total required program credits at Blackhawk Technical College.

Military Training & Service

As a member of the military, you may be eligible for college credit based on coursework that you have already completed throughout boot camp, basic training, officer training school, or other training. Your advisor can assist you in the completion and submission of the proper paperwork.

Please note: Acceptance of credit is at the discretion of the college.

Veteran students on campus

Credit By Exam

Do you already have knowledge and skills that meet the intended outcomes of a Blackhawk class? Learn more about national testing options, such as Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Challenge Exams, available for you to earn college credits.

Credit By Exam

Credit By Exam Options

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are offered to high school students through CollegeBoard. Students may request a transcript from CollegeBoard to be sent to Blackhawk Technical College, which will award credit for scores of 3 or higher. 

CLEP exams help you get college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. CLEP exams help you earn college credit whether you're getting a head start on college or working to finish your degree. Blackhawk will award credits for scores of 50 or higher on the CLEP exam. The credits you earn will help you achieve your goals faster while spending less on tuition. Each exam takes only between 90 and 120 minutes to complete and you receive scores instantly.

More Information

Challenge Exams assess your understanding of course content and determine if you demonstrate competency in that subject. These exams are typically 2-3 hours long and may be comprised of essay, short answer, matching, or multiple-choice questions. Upon successfully passing a Challenge Exam, you may be granted credit for that course, which would be entered on your student record and appear on your transcripts as "PP".

Steps for the Challenge Exam

  • Register for the Challenge Exam: Prior to registering for a Challenge Exam, you must apply to the college. Review the Eligible Challenge Exam Courses for a listing of available exams, passing scores, and testing details. Then, meet with your assigned advisor to register for the Challenge Exam.
  • Pay exam fees: Each exam costs $50 (non-refundable) and must be paid at Registration and Records. You will receive a payment receipt which you will need to bring with you to your scheduled exam.
  • Schedule your exam appointment: Call (608) 757-7666 or stop by the Testing Center to schedule a Challenge Exam appointment. Students must present their photo ID, registration form, and payment receipt on the day of the appointment. Arrangements for accommodating students will be made as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Review exam results: After testing, your exam score will be available after 8-10 days in the MyBTC portal.

Challenge Examination Course List

Below is a list of Eligible Challenge Exam Courses at Blackhawk Technical College.

Note about calculator usage: Students can use calculators, or scientific calculators when indicated (no graphing calculators please); however, it is NOT acceptable to use any communication or Wi-Fi device, such as iPods, smartphones, etc.

Introduction to MS Office

  • Course Number: 103-128
  • Credits: 2
  • Passing Score: 70% per part
  • Time Allotted: 3 hours
  • Calculators not allowed

Medical Terminology

  • Course Number: 501-101
  • Credits: 3
  • Passing Score: 80%
  • Time Alotted: 90 minutes for part 1, 10 minutes for part 2
  • Calculators not allowed

Interm. Algebra w Apps

  • Course Number: 804-118
  • Credits: 4
  • Passing Score: 80%
  • Time Allotted: 3 hours
  • Calculators allowed

College Technical Math IA

  • Course Number: 804-113
  • Credits: 3
  • Passing Score: 75%
  • Time Allotted: 2 hours
  • Scientific calculators allowed

College Technical Math IB

  • Course Number: 804-114
  • Credits: 2
  • Passing Score: 75%
  • Time Allotted: 2 hours
  • Scientific calculators allowed

Trade Math

  • Course Number: 804-315
  • Credits: 1
  • Passing Score: 80%
  • Time Allotted: 2 hours
  • Calculators allowed

Shop Mathematics I

  • Course Number: 804-306
  • Credits: 2
  • Passing Score: 80% per part
  • Time Allotted: 45 minutes per part

Shop Mathematics II

  • Course Number: 804-308
  • Credits: 2
  • Passing Score: 80% per part
  • Time Allotted: 2 hours
  • Calculators allowed

General Anatomy & Physiology

  • Course Number: 806-177
  • Credits: 4
  • Passing Score: 80%
  • Time Allotted: 2 hours
  • Calculators not allowed

Applied Science

  • Course Number: 806-315
  • Credits: 2
  • Passing Score: 75%
  • Time Allotted: 3 hours
  • Calculators allowed