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 |
| DCS106 - Ultrasound Physics/ Instrumentation II | 2 | Portfolio Review | Kelly Hamontree |
| ECE292 - Early Childhood Practicum II | 3 | Portfolio Review | Kathleen Nikolai |
| ELT110 - Introductory Electronics | 4 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | George Hoeltje |
| ELT111 - Semiconductor Devices and Circuits | 2 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | George Hoeltje |
| ELT120 - Introductory Industrial Electronics Maintenance | 2 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | George Hoeltje |
| ELT140 - Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers | 2 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | George Hoeltje |
| ELT143 - Commercial Wiring | 2 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | George Hoeltje |
| EMG101 - Introduction to Emergency Management | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG103 - Leadership, Influence & Decision Making | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG107 - Incident Management Systems | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG150 - Public Information-Community Relations | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG151 - Emergency Management Policy-Planning | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG153 - Hazard Analysis and Mitigation | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| EMG155 - Social Dimensions of Disaster | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| ENG101 - Composition | 3 | Comprehensive Exam | Maggie McKinley or Margaret King |
| FIS100 - Fundamentals of Fire Protecton | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS102 - Fire Service Management I | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS103 - Fire Strategy & Tactics I | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS104 - Building Construction | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS109 - Firefighter II (BOF) | 12 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS121 - Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS122 - Fire Prevention Principles I | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS132 - Hazardous Materials I | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS145 - Fire Service Instructor I | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS240 - Fire Apparatus Engineer | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS250 - Industrial Fire Protection | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| FIS260 - Emergency Services Safety | 3 | Portfolio Review | Sam Giordano |
| HSC104 - Health Care Technology and Informatics | 2 | 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 |
| MFT105 - Machining Processes | 3 | Comprehensive Exam & Practical | Kurt Billsten |
| MTP100 - Introduction to Massage Therapy | 1 | Comprehensive Exam | Jeremy Miller |
| 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.
Talk with an advisor about Credit for Prior Learning
