Credential Evaluations

The Credential Evaluations department assists students seeking an evaluation of their progress towards completion of a degree or certificate at Clark College. Evaluators review and evaluate official transcripts sent to Clark College, process applications for program completion, and respond to Academic Credit for Prior Learning inquiries. For more detailed information about what Credential Evaluations does, visit the Credential Evaluations webpage or call 360-992-2805.

Academic Standards Petition

Students who believe an error has been made or who want to request an exception to established degree or certificate requirements should contact Credential Evaluations to inquire about an Academic Standards Petition.

Catalog Lifespan

  • Students may complete their degree(s) or certificate(s) using the requirements outlined in any catalog published during their attendance at Clark College.
  • No catalog is valid for more than four (4) years.
  • Students who are not enrolled at Clark College for two (2) or more calendar years are required to complete the program requirements of the catalog in effect when they re-enroll.

Diplomas

Diploma Distribution

  • Diplomas are typically processed four to six (4-6) weeks after the end of the term in which the student completes their program requirements.
  • Students will be contacted via text message and email by Parchment, Clark College’s transcript and diploma servicer, to create an account and access a digital copy of their diploma.
  • Printed diplomas will be mailed by Parchment in the following weeks.

Updating Contact Information

Students should verify that their phone number, email address, and mailing address are correct in ctcLink to ensure timely delivery and communications.

Diploma Reprint Requests

Diploma reprints may be requested through the Parchment website (a fee may apply).

Graduation Application

To receive their degree or certificate after completing all requirements, students must submit a graduation application. Below are important details to help navigate the process.

When to Apply

Clark College recommends that students submit their graduation application one term before they plan to complete all of their program requirements. Early submission helps ensure the degree or certificate is awarded without delay.

Priority Deadline

The priority deadline for graduation applications is the last day of the term in which the student plans to finish their degree or certificate requirements. Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be processed in the order received, and the degree or certificate will be awarded in the term of completion.

Non-Priority Period

Applications received after the priority deadline will still be accepted and will be processed in the order they are received, but awarding may be delayed.

Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL)

Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL), as defined by the Washington State Legislature (RCW 28B.77.230), recognizes the knowledge and skills gained through:

  • Work and life experience
  • Military training and experience
  • Formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions, including foreign institutions.

ACPL can help students complete their programs sooner by evaluating their prior learning for college credit.

Assessment Methods

Students may be assessed through any of the following methods to determine whether required learning outcomes have been met:

  • Tests
  • Written assignments
  • Oral interviews
  • Projects
  • Portfolios
  • Performances
  • Other methods determined by Clark College faculty

Credit Limitations

There are limits on the number of ACPL credits that can be awarded for each degree/certificate type at Clark College. For more information, see: Career Technical Programs Overview or Transfer Programs Overview.

ACPL Options

Clark College, in accordance with the State Board for Community and Technical College guidelines, recognizes the following four categories of ACPL. More information about each type of ACPL and related policies and procedures can be found on the Credential Evaluations webpage.

  • Credit by Testing: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CLEP, and Cambridge International (CI) exams
  • Course Challenges: Written, oral, or practical exams created by Clark College faculty
  • Extra-Institutional Learning and Military Experience: Military transcripts or third-party certifications evaluated by Clark College faculty/staff
  • Prior Experiential Learning: Portfolios or projects evaluated by Clark College faculty

Graduation Ceremony

Commencement Ceremony Participation

  • The June commencement ceremony is for students completing degrees or certificates during the current academic year.
  • Students completing their degree or certificate in the summer term may participate in the ceremony of the previous academic year.
  • Participation is encouraged but not required.
  • Students must submit their Graduation Application and Cap and Gown Order Form by the deadline to be eligible.
  • Ceremony participation does not guarantee degree or certificate completion.

Caps & Gowns

  • The Cap and Gown Order Form is available to students online once they have submitted their Graduation Application.
  • Details on pricing and deadlines for cap and gown orders is available on the Commencement webpage.
  • For students who have received honors, honors regalia is available in the bookstore at the time they pick up their cap and gown order.
  • Students who have submitted the Cap and Gown Order Form will receive detailed information in May regarding the process for ceremony participation and cap and gown disbursement.

Transfer Credit

Transfer Institution Accreditation

Clark College accepts credits from institutions accredited by the following accrediting bodies:

  • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Domestic Institution Transfer Policy

  • Students who have attended other recognized accredited institutions can transfer credit to Clark College to meet course prerequisites and program requirements. Dental Hygiene and Nursing students MUST provide all transfer institution transcripts during the application process.
  • All transfer coursework, including courses earned as part of prior degrees, will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis for transferability to Clark College. Official copies of transcripts are required for evaluation. Transcripts are considered official if sent directly from the prior institution or delivered in the original sealed envelope.
  • Once transcripts from other institutions are received, they become part of a student's permanent educational record and cannot be released by Clark College.
  • Course descriptions and/or syllabi may be requested to complete evaluations in some instances. It is the student's responsibility to obtain course and catalog information from the prior institution and provide them to Clark College.
  • Although there is no limit on the number of credits that can transfer into Clark College, students must meet the Academic Residency requirements for their program.

International Institution Transfer Policy

  • Students with credits from international institutions may submit their academic records for transfer credit consideration. The amount of credit awarded will vary based on the individual record of the student.
  • Clark College requires translation and evaluation of the student's academic record from an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A current list of members is available online on the NACES website . The costs of agency services are the responsibility of the student. Clark College recommends that students request a course-by-course evaluation in order to receive as much direct transfer credit as possible.
  • Clark College does not recognize English coursework completed in countries outside of the United States, with the exception of English-speaking countries and provinces.

Distribution Reciprocity

Clark College participates in the Washington State Community and Technical College Inter-College Reciprocity Policy (Distribution Reciprocity). This policy allows certain transfer courses to meet specific program requirements (e.g. Communication Skills) at Clark, even if there is no direct equivalent.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Student has met the sending institution’s residency credit requirement and meets Clark College’s policy on continuous enrollment (the enrollment pattern needed to complete under the catalog requirements at entrance).
  2. Student has met the entire Communication Skills, Quantitative Skills, or Distribution Requirement of a transfer program, according to the sending institution’s program criteria.
  3. Student has maintained a cumulative college-level grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher at the sending institution.

Students who believe they qualify for the Distribution Reciprocity agreement should contact Credential Evaluations for assistance.