Credit for Prior Learning
Matriculated students may apply for credit for relevant college-level learning gained through experiences outside a formal college setting. A maximum of 45 such credits may be applied to the student's degree. Credits may be obtained by examination, by completion of evaluated training programs, through individualized Prior Learning Assessment, or a combination of these.
Prior learning credit may be awarded as course-equivalent credit or as elective credit. Once posted, these credits cannot be removed from the student's transcript.
Course-equivalent credit is awarded for prior learning that is determined to be equivalent in content and level to a course offered by the college and is assigned the course number of the equivalent course. Course-equivalent credit will not be awarded if the student already has credit for the equivalent course. Course-equivalent credit may be used to fulfill any program requirements the equivalent course fulfills.
Prior learning credit not equivalent to a course is awarded as elective credit in a subject. The college will determine the appropriate subject. Some subjects not taught at the college are available.
The college determines passing scores and course equivalencies in accordance with CUNY policy, based on the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) in consultation with the academic departments.
Credit by Examination
Credit may be awarded to students who achieve passing scores on standardized tests offered by several external testing programs. The following testing programs are currently accepted:
- Advanced Placement Program (AP) - Score required to earn credit is 3 or higher
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - Score required to earn credit is 50 or higher.
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who have earned the IB diploma with a score of 30 or higher, will receive 30 credits. Students who have completed the diploma with a score of 29 or less, and students who did not complete a diploma will be awarded credit for higher-level IB exams with a score of 5 or higher.
- DSST
See the websites of the testing programs for information about eligibility, testing locations, registration, and preparing for the exams. For information about passing scores and course equivalencies, contact the Prior Learning Coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (undergrad@jjay.cuny.edu).
Credit for Military Service
The college follows the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) in granting credit for military training, based on review of students' military transcripts. Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard order official transcripts through the Joint Services transcript (JST) system at https://jst.doded.mil. After requesting an official transcript through JST, notify the Office of Testing and Evaluation at testing@jjay.cuny.edu and they will retrieve your transcript from the JST system. Members of the Air Force order official transcripts sent to John Jay from the Community College for the Air Force (CCAF) at http://www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/transcripts.asp. The maximum number of credits earned for military service is forty-five credits.
Credit for Uniformed Members of Service (including NYPD, FDNY, DOC)
New York City Police Department officers, who completed their training in July 2007 or thereafter, may receive up to 36 credits for completion of the Recruit Academic Program at the New York City Police Department Academy. Credit will be awarded for the following courses, provided these have not previously been completed as regular college courses: CJBS 377 (3 credits), CJBS 378 (4 credits), CRJ elective (3 credits), LAW 204 (4 credits), LAW 212 (3 credits), PED elective (5 credits), PSC 107 (3 credits), PSC 202 (3 credits), PSC elective (4 credits), and PSC elective (4 credits).
New York City Department of Correction officers may receive up to 21 credits for completion of recruit training. Credit will be awarded for the following courses, provided these have not previously been completed as regular college courses: CJBS 101 (3 credits), COR 101 (3 credits), COR 201 (3 credits), COR 282 (3 credits), COR elective (3 credits), SOC elective (3 credits), PED elective (3 credits).
New York City Fire Department personnel who completed their training in July 2017 or thereafter, may receive up to 17 credits for completion of the probationary firefighter school. Credit will be awarded based on the student's FDNY transcript and include FIS 101 (3 credits), FIS elective (6 credits), ESA elective (2 credits), PSC elective (3 credits), and PED elective (3 credits) provided that they have not previously been completed as a regular college courses.
Students who have successfully completed a training program that has been evaluated by the College for the award of credit or a program that has been recommended for the award of credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), must apply to the Office of Testing and Evaluation for the application of this credit toward their undergraduate degree. Applicants must provide documentation in support of their requests. A statement or transcript indicating subjects taken, grades received, dates of attendance, and the number of hours of participation must be sent directly to the Office of Testing and Evaluation from the agency that has provided the training.
Note: Credit awards depend upon the date trainings were completed.
General Education Requirements for Uniformed Members of Service
Graduates of the New York City Police Academy, New York City Fire Academy, or New York City Correction Academy who have earned at least 28 credits in liberal arts courses will be exempt from the CUNY Common Core portion of the College's General Education Program. These students will still need to complete six credits of the John Jay College Option (3 credits in the Justice Core 300-level and 3 credits in either the Learning from the Past or Communications categories) to complete their general education requirements.
Credit for Evaluated Training Programs
Students may receive credit for training programs that have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). Contact the Prior Learning Coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (undergrad@jjay.cuny.edu).
Individualized Prior Learning Assessment
Students may seek credit by preparing a portfolio to document their prior college-level learning from experience. Students who wish to pursue the portfolio option may do so by enrolling in the Prior Learning Seminar or by permission of the Prior Learning Coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (undergrad@jjay.cuny.edu).