Harper College

Harper College Proficiency Examination Program

Departmental proficiency tests have been created by Harper College faculty for many courses not available through the CLEP program. In some academic areas, students may show proficiency through appropriate means other than written tests. Alternative forms of testing include musical performance, review of art portfolios, review of credentials, work skill evaluations, or any other means.

Follow these steps to pursue Proficiency Credit.

Step 1. Apply to the College. 

Step 2. Receive testing permission from the academic department faculty contact. Information about the eligible courses and the individual to contact are found below. 

Step 3. After you have received permission, you must pay for the proficiency test in the Testing Center (Building A, Room A148). Each exam costs $30 per course credit hour. For example:

ENG101 Composition is a 3 credit hour course.  3 x  $30 per credit hour = $90 to take the ENG101 Proficiency Test.

Step 4. Make arrangements to take the test. Some experiences such as comprehensive tests will be given in the Testing Center, while others are given by the faculty contact. 

Step 5. The Faculty Contact will review your submission to determine if credits have been earned. If you have successfully earned course credits, they will be posted to your permanent record as ungraded credit but will not show on your end of semester grade report.

Methods for earning Credit 

Proficiency Credit can be earned by one or a combination of the following methods:

Comprehensive Exam - A exam that tests the student's understanding of the course's learning outcomes. Testing methods include, but are not limited to multiple-choice exams (paper/pencil or computer-based), written submissions/essays, short answer tests, etc. 

Portfolio Review - An assemblage of relevant materials such as industry credentials, certificates, licenses, physical artifacts such as works of art, etc. 

Practical - A "hands-on" demonstration of the necessary skills required to meet the core learning outcomes of the course. 

 

Courses Available

Course  Credit Hours Methodology  Faculty Contact
ACC101 - Introduction to Financial Accounting 4 Comprehensive Exam Cammy Wayne
ACC112 - Quickbooks 2 Comprehensive Exam Cammy Wayne
CAS160 - Introduction to Business Software Packages 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
CIS100 - Computer and Digital Literacy 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
CIS106 - Computer Logic and Programming Technology 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
CIS211 - IT Project Management 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
DCS106 - Ultrasound Physics/ Instrumentation II  2 Portfolio Review Kelly Hamontree
ECE101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Kathleen Nikolai
ECE140 - Family Child Care Management 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Kathleen Nikolai
ECE149 - Topics in Early Childhood Education 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Kathleen Nikolai
ECE292 - Early Childhood Practicum II 3 Portfolio Review Kathleen Nikolai
ELT110 - Introductory Electronics 4 Comprehensive Exam & Practical  Kurt Billsten
ELT111 - Semiconductor Devices and Circuits 2 Comprehensive Exam & Practical  Kurt Billsten
ELT120 - Introductory Industrial Electronics Maintenance 2 Comprehensive Exam & Practical  Kurt Billsten
ELT140 - Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers  2 Comprehensive Exam & Practical  Kurt Billsten
ELT143 - Commercial Wiring Comprehensive Exam & Practical  Kurt Billsten
EMG101 - Introduction to Emergency Management  3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG103 - Leadership, Influence & Decision Making 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG107 - Incident Management Systems 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG150 - Public Information-Community Relations 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG151 - Emergency Management Policy-Planning 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG153 - Hazard Analysis and Mitigation 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
EMG155 - Social Dimensions of Disaster 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
ENG101 - Composition 3 Comprehensive Exam Margaret King or Paul Peterson
FIS100 - Fundamentals of Fire Protection Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS102 - Fire Service Management I  3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS103 - Fire Strategy & Tactics I 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS104 - Building Construction 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS109 - Firefighter II (BOF) 12 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS121 - Fire Behavior and Combustion 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS122 - Fire Prevention Principles I 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS132 - Hazardous Materials I  3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS145 - Fire Service Instructor I 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS240 - Fire Apparatus Engineer  3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS250  - Industrial Fire Protection 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
FIS260 - Emergency Services Safety 3 Portfolio Review Norman Bemis
HIT165 - Pathopharmacology for Health Information Professionals 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Paula Akialis
HIT196 - Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding Portfolio Review (see below) Paula Akialis
HIT197 - International Classification of Disease (ICD) Coding 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Paula Akialis
HIT199 - Healthcare Reimbursement  Portfolio Review (see below) Paula Akialis
HIT235 - Advanced Medical Coding 3 Portfolio Review (see below) Paula Akialis
HSC104 - Health Care Technology and Informatics Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
HSC105 - Introduction to Health Care Today 2 Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
HSC112 - Medical Terminology 2 Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
HSC165 - Basic Pharmacology  1 Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
HSC201 - Advanced Pharmacology  2 Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
HSC213 - Legal & Ethical Issues In Health Care 2 Comprehensive Exam Susan Grant
LEJ101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Portfolio Review Frank Trost
LEJ225 - Crisis Intervention Communication in Law Enforcement 3 Portfolio Review Frank Trost
MFT105 - Machining Processes  3 Comprehensive Exam & Practical Kurt Billsten
MTP100 - Introduction to Massage Therapy 1 Comprehensive Exam Jeremy Miller
MUS111- Theory of Music I 3 Comprehensive Exam  Edward Hamel
MUS115 - Aural Skills I 3 Comprehensive Exam  Edward Hamel
NET105 - IT Fundamentals 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET111 - A+ Hardware 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET112 - A+ Operating Systems Technologies 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET121 - Computer Networking 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET122 - Internet Protocols 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET240 - Linux Administration 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET260 - Windows Server Administration 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET270 - Cisco Networking 3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
NET280 - IT Security  3 Comprehensive Exam CIS Coordinator
SUR110 - Fundamentals of Sterile Processing  3 Portfolio Review Laura Smith
SUR111 - Fundamentals/Sterile Processing Lab 1 Portfolio Review Laura Smith
WLD110 - Welding I  3 Practical Kurt Billsten
WLD210 - Welding II  3 Practical Kurt Billsten
WLD211 - Welding III  4 Practical Kurt Billsten

 

ECE Credits Available Courses Available with Current CDA Credential

Students with a current (i.e. not expired) Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ could earn the following Early Childhood Education (ECE) credits at Harper College:

Preschool CDA: ECE 101, ECE 149 

Infant/Toddler CDA: ECE 101, ECE 149 

Family Childcare CDA: ECE 101, ECE 140

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is a widely recognized credential in early childhood education administered by the Council for Professional Development. The CDA Credential guides early child care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. Obtaining a CDA is an important accomplishment and one that develops well informed practitioners knowledgeable in child development and best practices for teaching young children.

For more information, please contact ECE Department Chairperson, Kathleen Nikolai

 

HIT Course Credits Available with Current Medical Coding Credentials

CCS®

Students with a current (not expired) Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) Certification could earn the following Health Information Technology (HIT) credits at Harper College:

  • HIT 165 – Pathopharmacology for Health Information Professionals
  • HIT 196 – Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding
  • HIT 197 – International Classification of Disease (ICD) Coding
  • HIT 199 – Healthcare Reimbursement
  • HIT 235 – Advanced Medical Coding

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) credential is offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and demonstrates a practitioner’s tested skills in data quality and accuracy as well as mastery of coding proficiency.

For more information, please contact HIT Program Coordinator, Paula Akialis. 

CCS-P®

Students with a current (not expired) Certified Coding Specialist—Physician-based (CCS-P®) Certification could earn the following Health Information Technology (HIT) credits at Harper College:

  • HIT 165 – Pathopharmacology for Health Information Professionals
  • HIT 196 – Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS-P®) credential is offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and demonstrates mastery-level coding proficiency performed in physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers.

For more information, please contact HIT Program Coordinator, Paula Akialis. 

CPC®

Students with a current (i.e. not expired) Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) Certification could earn the following Health Information Technology (HIT) credits at Harper College:

  • HIT 196 – Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) credential is offered through AAPC and demonstrates expertise in coding medical services and procedures performed by physicians.

For more information, please contact HIT Program Coordinator, Paula Akialis.

Information Technology Proficiency and Bypass Tests

Bypass and proficiency exams are available for certain CAS, CIS and NET courses. Whenever possible, nationally recognized education and industry exams are used to determine course placement or proficiency. Bypass allows students to skip (bypass) the course indicated.  Bypass exams do not grant academic credit. Proficiency exams grant academic credit for the indicated course. The full list of eligible courses and exams can be found here.

 

Talk with an advisor about Credit for Prior Learning. To request information or chat, visit the One Stop.

Last Updated: 2/7/24