Credit for Prior Learning

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Technical/Vocational Credit:

Only credit earned in non-technical subjects shall be initially accepted from technical institutes which are accredited by a regional collegiate accrediting association. Normally, no credit shall be accepted by the College from technical institutes, business schools, or other post high school institutes which are not members of regional collegiate accrediting associations. However, students applying to the College who have earned technical credit, which they believe would be applicable to the degree they are pursuing, may have an official transcript sent from the school directly to the New Mexico Junior College, Registrar. It shall then be the student's responsibility to request referral of this transcript by the Registrar to the division of the college having supervision of his/her particular program. The division shall determine whether any of the credit is acceptable in its program and return the transcript with its recommendations to the Registrar. An interview or demonstration of competence, or both, shall be required before the decision regarding credit is made. Acceptance of such credit shall be binding only to the specific program recommending credit. It shall be subject to re-evaluation should the student later enter another program offered by the College.

Law Enforcement / Corrections (Criminal Justice)

New Mexico Junior College recognizes that New Mexico police officers and corrections officers come to us with a firm grounding in their individual disciplines. We recognize and honor their prior learning by awarding college credit for a wide variety of learning experiences, both classroom and practical experience. In an effort to assist officers who want to further their educational experiences, NMJC is willing to award college credit for successful completion of both a certified law enforcement academy and / or corrections academy. Such credit will be treated as credit with PCR (Prior Credit) as grade. It will count toward graduation, and may be used in fulfilling specific curriculum requirements. Credit will be awarded upon completion of 15 credit hours at NMJC as follows:

Any currently certified and commissioned police officer may receive up to 32 credits by providing proof (original certificate) of the successful completion of a certified law enforcement academy in New Mexico. Credits may count toward the AAS in Criminal Justice or an AA. Students will receive credit as follows:

  • LA 113 or CJ 113-Introduction to Criminal Justice—3 hrs.
  • LA 113P or CJ 113P-Introduction to Policing—3 hrs.
  • LA 123P or CJ 123P- Law Enforcement Patrol Procedures—3 hrs.
  • LA 113B or CJ 113B-Substantive Criminal Law—3 hrs.
  • LA 213A or CJ 213A-Criminal Investigation—3 hrs.
  • LA 123F or CJ 123F-Traffic Law & Accident Investigation—3
  • LA 123D or CJ 123D-Technical Writing—3 hrs.
  • LA 114 Custody Control, Chemical Agents and Officer Safety—4

Any current New Mexico state corrections officer employed by a public or private correctional facility may receive up to 9 credits by providing proof (original certificate) of successful completion of a certified corrections academy in New Mexico. Students will receive credit as follows:

  • CA 113J or CJ 113J-Introduction to Corrections—3 hrs.
  • CA 123J or CJ 123J-Corrections Officer Safety and Weapons Training—3 hrs.
  • CA 133J or CJ 133J-Communications and Interpersonal Skills for the Corrections Officer—3 hrs.

NMJC will also accept transfer of credits from any other regionally accredited institution. Credits may transfer, but not necessarily apply to the student’s chosen course of study. Whether credits will count toward a degree is based on the decision of the College Vice President for Student Services and the Dean of Applied Sciences and Learning Technology. Students will be required to have certified copies of transcripts sent to NMJC.

Students will be required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of course work at NMJC and meet all other requirements for graduation. Credit will be awarded upon completion of 15 credit hours at NMJC.

Military Credit

New Mexico Junior College utilizes the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide to grant students credit for any prior military courses and occupations. Students will receive credit only for coursework that applies towards the degree they are pursuing. Students need to be current NMJC degree-seeking students. A Joint Services Transcript (JST) needs to be sent to New Mexico Junior College, Registrar, in order to be evaluated.

Institutional Challenge

New Mexico Junior College recognizes that students learn by experience as well as in the formal class setting. Therefore, students who wish to establish NMJC credit for prior education, training, and / or experience may challenge a course by taking a comprehensive examination that is administered by the division responsible for the course. The grade on each institutional challenge exam is the grade that will appear on the NMJC transcript. In order to be eligible to attempt credit by institutional challenge, the following provisions must be met:

  • The student must contact the appropriate academic dean and instructor for permission and arrange to take the institutional exam for credit
  • The student must not have previously audited, enrolled in, or attempted credit by examination in the course(s)
  • The student must enroll in the course before the institutional challenge exam can be taken
  • Courses successfully challenged may count toward program requirements, but not NMJC’s graduation residency requirement

Credit by exam will not be awarded for physical education activity classes.