Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning
Save time and money by applying what you have already learned toward your degree.
MC offers all students the opportunity to apply credit taken outside MC towards graduation from MC. You may transfer prior credits from other institutions, take exams, and/or get credit for life experiences, including military service or industry credentials.
If you are applying as a non-degree seeking student, you do not need to submit your official transcripts. If you need a prerequisite override, please contact the department chair. More information is available on our FAQ page.
Here are the steps (PDF, 
) to follow to get your prior coursework evaluated if you are seeking a degree from
MC, and what to expect next:
- Apply for admission, be sure you have declared a major, and claim your MyMC account.
- Request that your institution send us an official transcript. Official transcripts can be sent through an electronic transcript service or by mail to the address in the Contact Us section. The evaluation process may take up to 4-6 weeks upon receipt of your transcript, so please plan accordingly.
- Check your MC e-mail for a notification of your transcript evaluation status within the posted turn-around time.
- Log onto your MyMC account to view the accepted credits, and schedule a counseling appointment through Starfish, also available in MyMC.
- Register for classes through MyMC after meeting with a counselor.
You may apply coursework taken at other U.S. colleges and universities toward your degree program at MC – learn how.
The following policies apply:
- A maximum of 45 transfer credits can be applied to a degree program, or 70% of the credits required to a certificate program.
- Credits must have been earned at a regionally-accredited institution.
- Only credits that are applicable to your chosen program of study will transfer; refer to the catalog to learn about your program’s requirements or talk to a counselor or advisor.
- MC abides by state transfer guidelines as described in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Title 13B.
- Official transcripts are required for evaluation.
- If you have an AA, AS, AAT, bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university, your general education coursework will be satisfied. However, you may be required to take additional courses to meet the graduation requirements of your major.
- More information is available on our FAQ page.
Learn about how MC accepts credits taken at colleges and universities outside the US.
- Credit earned at non-US colleges and universities must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or Josef Silny & Associates (JSA). You can request that any one of these services send your evaluation to MC after the evaluation is complete.
- It's important to have your international transcript evaluated by the same company
that evaluates international credit at the four-year institution(s) you plan to transfer
to. Here is a sampling of those companies:
- University of Maryland College Park : ECE or JSA
- UMGC: WES
- UMBC: Ed Perspectives or FCSA (Students will need to have their transcripts re-evaluated.)
- Salisbury: WES, ECE or JSA
- Towson: WES, ECE
- UM School of Nursing: WES, ECE or JSA
- University of Baltimore: WES
- Howard University: WES
- Morgan State University: WES, ECE
- George Washington University: WES, ECE or JSA
- A maximum of 45 transfer credits can be applied to a degree program, or 70% of the credits required to a certificate program.
- Only credits that are applicable to your chosen program of study will transfer; refer to the catalog to learn about your program’s requirements or talk to a counselor or advisor.
- A degree from a college or university outside the US does not waive general education requirements nor English assessment.
- Click here (PDF, ) to download detailed instructions or visit our FAQ page for more information.
MC may award credit for AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, Cambridge A/AS Level Exams, and via MC Credit by Examination.
MC may award credit for AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, Cambridge A/AS Level Exams, and via MC Credit by Examination.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
US high school students may take AP exams while in high school. You will be instructed
to provide a school code to have your official AP score report sent to the school
of your choice. If you did not provide MC’s school code when registering for the exam,
you may request a copy of your scores by contacting the College Board directly. See the list of AP exams and MC equivalences here (PDF, ) .
MC School Codes:
- Germantown Campus: 5393
- Rockville Campus: 5440
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: 5414
Not all credit earned by AP exams will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
US high school students may take IB exams while at high school. You will be instructed to provide a school code to have your official IB score report sent to MC. If you did not provide MC’s school code when registering for the exam, you may request a copy of your scores by contacting the IB Office directly.
MC awards credit for a score of 5 or higher on IB higher-level exams and for a score of 5 or higher on standard-level exams when combined with the IB diploma.
See the list of IB exams and MC equivalences here (PDF, ) .
Not all credit earned by IB will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on any of the 33 exams that are offered. MC does not provide credit for all exams. See the list of CLEP exams and MC equivalences here.
All CLEP Exams are administered at MC's Gaithersburg Business Training Center located at 12 S. Summit Avenue, 4th floor, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
Visit Register for the CLEP Test for information on how to register, forms, costs, test dates, and additional locations. When registering, make sure to have your scores sent to MC; the MC CLEP Code is 5440.
Not all credit earned by CLEP will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
DSST Exams
Military and civilian students can take any of the DSST exams, which are administered and offered by Prometric. Learn more about their testing and transcript informationnew window. MC is currently evaluating these exams and will post equivalencies when available.
Not all credit earned by DSST will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
Cambridge A/AS Level Exams
MC may accept credit earned through the Cambridge A/AS Level Exams. To have an exam evaluated, please contact one of the Transcript Evaluation staff.
MC Credit by Examination
You may earn credit for a subject matter that you have acquired real life experience by taking an exam offered by MC. A course marked with CE in the MC catalog indicates Credit by Exam is available for that course.
How to Sign-up:
- Print the Application for Credit by Examination (PDF, ) form .
- Contact the Department Chair on the campus where the credit by examination option is available for more information and to get necessary approval(s).
- The fee for credit by examination is 40 percent of the in-county tuition rate.
- This fee is charged based on the number of credit hours the course has, and must be paid before taking the exam.
- After obtaining appropriate signatures on the Application for Credit by Examination form, go to the Campus Cashier to pay the fee.
- After the exam has been completed, a grade of P (pass with C or higher) or U (unsatisfactory) is added to the form by the department and is submitted to the Office of Records and Registration at the campus where the test was taken.
- Once Credit by Exam grades have been processed by MC, you will be notified through MC email.
- This credit may not transfer to another college or university. Check with your intended transfer institution for further information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
MC awards credit for military courses and occupations completed by Active-Duty Service members and Veterans, and posted on the JST or CCAF transcript.
MC awards credit for military courses and occupations completed by Active-Duty Service members and Veterans.
Each branch of service provides transcripts for current and former service members that include individual military education, training, and experience, which are recommended for college credit by American Council on Education (ACE). You can request your official transcript via:
- Joint Services Transcript (JST)new window for Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (you will need to confirm access)
- US Air Force: Community College of the Air Force (CCAFnew window)
If you are active-duty, please work with your Education Service Officer for your command or the GoArmyEd Portal to learn more about credit applicability and process. All students are welcome to reach out to MC’s Military Enrollment Service Specialist/VA Certifying Officials for assistance.
MC will evaluate all ACE recommendations for placement into the curriculum. This is currently done on an individual, student-by-student basis.
Not all credit earned awarded by MC will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
Students can earn MC college credit by successfully completing identified courses associated with select programs of study offered by MCPS.
Students can earn MC college credit by successfully completing identified courses associated with select programs of study offered by MCPS.
CTE agreements allow students to earn college credit at MC by enrolling in, and successfully completing, identified courses associated with select programs of study offered by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Students must declare a relevant program of study to receive credit. View a complete list of CTE agreements here.
This credit may not transfer to another college or university. Check with your intended transfer institution to find out if they accept CTE credit.
More information is available on our FAQ page.
Earn credit for work experience and training though one of our approved credential programs or through ACE recommended credit.
Students may earn credit that applies toward graduation through completion of certain licensing/certification/apprenticeship programs. MC has agreements in place with the following organizations to accept credits:
- Association of Air Conditioning Professionals (ACCA-NCC)
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification
- EPA 608 Certification
- Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program, administered through the Council for Professional Recognition
- International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
- National Parks Service Law Enforcement Training Center
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
- OSHA Certification
- PADI Certification
- ServSafe Certification
- UMGC Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
- Local 602 Steamfitters
To receive Apprenticeship/Licensing/Certification credit, submit an official copy of your state or national credential to one of the Transcript Evaluation staff.
Not all credit awarded for work experience will satisfy transfer requirements at all four-year institutions; consult with a counselor or advisor for more information.
In some cases, an ACE CREDIT transcript must be submitted.
More information is available on our FAQ page.