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Credit Hour System


The credit hour is the academic unit used at Mitchell Tech. Mitchell Tech defines a credit hour on the basis of the Carnegie unit. This defines a semester unit of credit as equal to a minimum of three hours of work per week for a semester. Thus, a unit of credit at Mitchell Tech equates to three hours of student work per week for a minimum 15 weeks.

All credits require assimilation of specified knowledge and skills comparable to and consistent with learning objectives established for similar courses and levels at other accredited institutions of higher learning.


LECTURE COURSES


For a lecture course, one credit is considered to be one 50-minute period of lecture class time and two hours of outside of class work per week.


LAB COURSES


For a lab course, one credit is considered to be a minimum of 150 minutes of lab time per week. The 150 minutes may be a combination of time in the lab with faculty supervision and time the student spends on projects or activities on his or her own.


INTERNSHIPS


An internship or externship credit involves a minimum of 40 hours working at an assigned job location. The student will be working for an employer under the supervision of a qualified instructor.


DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES


Courses that do not have the required face-to-face contact time (for example, hybrid, online, or correspondence) must also meet the credit hour standard of three hours of work per week for 15 weeks. A distance education course meets this standard if the course covers the same material in the same depth as a face-to-face version of the same course. If no face-to-face version exists at Mitchell Tech, the course credit hour assignment is based on the total learning time the instructor developing or teaching a course would expect for a student to satisfactorily complete the work of the course.

Full-Time Student


A full-time student is one who is enrolled in twelve or more credit hours during a semester. Courses other than degree-fulfillment courses cannot be used in financial aid full-time status calculations. See the Financial Aid Office for details.

Part-Time Student


A part-time student is one who is enrolled in less than twelve credits per semester. Part-time students wishing to attend courses, but not seeking a diploma or degree, must complete a Limited Enrollment registration form which is available in the Admissions Office.

Student Academic Load


The maximum load to be carried during any semester by a student (including both face-to-face and online courses) is 21 credit hours or the number of hours specified in the curriculum for the particular semester, whichever is greater. A student who has attained a grade-point average of 2.5 on a load of at least 15 credit hours for the preceding semester may be permitted by the Vice-President for Academics to carry extra credit hours.

Internships


Internships are educational programs that allow students to receive practical work experience and academic credit while working in governmental, community or business settings. Internships are a requirement for graduation in several programs. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and meet additional program-specific requirements. If requirements are not met, the student will not be able to enroll in an internship. Students denied internship registration may appeal.

Internships at Mitchell Tech are designed with intentional learning goals to assure that the experience will promote the academic, personal and career development of students. Mitchell Tech will work with the site sponsor to support the success of the internship experience. Students share the responsibility in locating potential internship opportunities. No commitments should be made, however, until the internship has been approved by the program internship coordinator. After approval of an internship site is granted by a program’s internship coordinator, the student must register for the internship course with the Registrar. All tuition and fees apply.

Additional information regarding internships at Mitchell Tech may be obtained in the Mitchell Tech Internship Guide or by speaking with a program’s internship coordinator.

Receiving Transferred Credits


Transfer credits from other accredited post-secondary institutions will be individually evaluated to determine courses needed to ensure students complete all requirements to earn a Mitchell Technical certificate, diploma or degree. A transfer student may have previous coursework accepted to fulfill Mitchell Tech course and graduation requirements according to the following criteria:

  1. Official transcripts shall be submitted for use in assessing courses and credits for transfer from accredited institutions. It is the student’s responsibility to have his or her transcript validated by the Registrar.

  2. A grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) shall be required in each course accepted in transfer. Transfer credits do not count toward a cumulative GPA. The grade recorded on the student’s academic record will be “CR” (credit). Courses in the major area of study completed more than five years previously may not be accepted for transfer.

  3. Technical courses shall be reviewed by the appropriate department(s) and the Registrar to determine course equivalence and acceptance. Partial credit may be awarded for courses that do not meet all competencies of an Mitchell Tech course. Courses outside of Mitchell Tech’s requirements will not be accepted for transfer.

  4. The Registrar will determine course equivalencies to meet Mitchell Tech’s general education requirements.

  5. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 25% of their coursework credits at Mitchell Tech to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate.

  6. To transfer credit, a student must be accepted before credits will be transcribed.

Transferring Credits to Other Institutions


Students who wish to transfer to another institution should contact the Registrar at that school for an evaluation of their Mitchell Tech transcript. Whether or not to accept credits is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Mitchell Tech does not guarantee the transfer of its credits to other post-secondary institutions.

Credit for Prior Learning


Prior learning, sometimes called experiential learning, is knowledge that is obtained outside the college setting prior to entering or returning to college.

This nontraditional learning is generally acquired through work experience, travel, workshop or conference participation, advanced high school courses, volunteer work, in-service training, military training, adult or continuing education, recreational activities or hobbies, self-initiated reading and study, and involvement in professional organizations. In other words, prior learning describes the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired while living your life that may earn you credits towards your degree or diploma at Mitchell Tech.

Mitchell Tech does not award credit for experience alone. Credit for prior learning is awarded for verifiable skills and learning gained through the experience. Achievements can be evaluated by completing standardized tests, challenging courses or completing a prior learning portfolio with accompanying documentation.


CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING POLICIES

  • Students must complete a minimum of 25% of their coursework credits at Mitchell Tech to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate. Credits earned through any combination of transfer college credit or any type of prior learning may not exceed 75% of the program’s total requirements.

  • Academic credit may only be awarded for those courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements in the student’s declared certificate, diploma, or degree program as outlined in the Mitchell Tech catalog and website.

  • All credit awarded for prior learning will be given a grade of CR on the student’s academic record (transcript). Prior learning credits do not count toward a cumulative GPA at Mitchell Tech.

  • Academic credit may only be awarded for learning directly related to the course identified and publicized learning outcomes.

  • All work assessed for prior learning credit must meet a minimum proficiency for all of the course competencies.

  • Credits awarded for prior learning satisfy prerequisite requirements in the same manner that their course equivalencies do.

  • Students requesting credit for prior learning must be enrolled in a specific degree, diploma, or certificate program at Mitchell Tech.

  • All documentation, including portfolio materials, challenge examinations, or other materials utilized in the credit for prior learning process become property of, and are maintained, by Mitchell Tech. The documentation will become part of the student’s academic record.

  • The credit for prior learning process must be initiated by the student requesting credit.

  • A student may not request credit for prior learning past the add/drop date for a course in which they are currently enrolled.

  • A student may not request credit for prior learning for a course that they have audited.

  • Partial credit may be awarded if prior learning meets some, but not all, of the course learning outcomes. In such cases, students will be required to enroll in and complete the full course. However, tuition and fees will only be charged for the remaining credits not awarded through the credit for prior learning process.

  • To receive prior learning credit for Student Success (SSS100), a student must have

    ○ completed any degree program, associates or higher, OR

    ○ Served Active Duty in the military, OR

    ○ Have previously attended college and meet all the following criteria

    ○ GPA of 3.0 or higher at previous college

    ○ Completed a minimum of 12 credits

    ○ Coursework must be completed within the last 5 years

    ○ Courses must be taken after graduating from high school

  • Students may appeal the decision on awarding credit for prior learning. To appeal a decision regarding credit for prior learning, students should follow Mitchell Tech’s standard formal appeal process as outlined in Mitchell Tech Policy 1045 and Policy 1046.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMINATION


Advanced Placement Exams are administered primarily in the high schools. Mitchell Tech does not administer AP exams. However, credit may be awarded to students who achieve a minimum score on an AP exam. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through AP exams.

Students must provide proof of a minimum score on the AP test in the form of an official AP score report or ACE transcript.

Mitchell Tech does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through AP exams.


COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)


Mitchell Tech does not administer the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). However, CLEP credits earned for courses may be accepted by Mitchell Tech. Before taking any CLEP examination, students should consult with their academic advisor and the registrar to assure transfer of the CLEP credit. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through CLEP exams.

Students must provide proof of a minimum score on the CLEP test in the form of an official CLEP score report or ACE transcript.

Mitchell Tech does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through CLEP exams.


DSST/PROMETRIC EXAM


The nationally recognized DSST Program allows students to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. Information on taking DSST tests is available at http://getcollegecredit.com/test_takers/

A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned through DSST exams.

A DSST transcript may be requested online at www.getcollegecredit.com. Transcripts should be sent to Mitchell Technical College Registrar’s Office, 1800 E Spruce Street, Mitchell, SD 57301. Mitchell Tech does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through DSST exams.


PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS


Mitchell Tech awards credit for professional certifications on a case-by-case basis. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe credit earned for certifications. The registrar and department will determine specific credit awards. Mitchell Tech awards credit for prior learning if:

  • There is adequate proof of the certification and its currency.

  • The certification is equivalent to the learning outcomes in the appropriate Mitchell Tech course(s).

There is no fee to the student to receive credit for applicable certifications earned prior to attending Mitchell Tech.


MILITARY EXPERIENCE


You may receive credit for selected military training or experience. To do so, you must furnish Mitchell Tech with a copy of your Joint Services transcript or similar official documents. ACE has evaluated many courses and schools completed within military service. Mitchell Tech follows the credit recommendation of ACE found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services to award academic credit for these courses and schools. A credit type of PL (prior learning) will be used to transcribe credit earned for military training.

A student can receive prior learning credit for Student Success (SSS100) with proof of active duty service.

For Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard military experience, students should submit an online request at https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do to send Mitchell Tech a Joint Services transcript.

For Air Force experience, students should order an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force to be sent to Mitchell Tech. Order transcripts online at http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp#trans or call (334) 649-5000.

Mitchell Tech does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through military experience.


AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE)


Courses and programs offered through many organizations (AT&T, GE, AIB, Police Academy, etc.), including CLEP, AP, DSST, and military training, have been evaluated for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). Mitchell Tech accepts the recommended ACE credits when applicable to general education and technical courses offered at Mitchell Tech. A credit type of PL will be used to transcribe all credit transcribed from an ACE transcript.

If you have more than one type of prior learning (CLEP, AP, and military, for example), you may be able to save money by ordering a consolidated ACE transcript with all of your test scores.

To order an ACE transcript, see https://www2.acenet.edu/credit/?fuseaction=transcripts.main
Mitchell Tech does not charge fees to students for the credits they earn through ACE transcripts.


ESTABLISHED MITCHELL TECH TESTS FOR CREDIT


Students may be allowed to receive credit by taking an exam (“test out”) for specifically identified courses. Within the first ten days of class, an instructor will notify students if a test out option is available for the course. Students will register for the test out any pay the test out fee online prior to the student taking the test.

The non-refundable testing fee is $50 for up to three credits, plus $10 for each additional credit.

Students must score 80% or higher on the exam to receive credit for the course. A credit type of EX will be used to transcribe the credit earned from a test out and does not count toward a student’s cumulative GPA. A test out may not be repeated.

Students considering testing out of a class should check with Financial Aid to determine how the test out might affect financial aid or scholarship status.


PREREQUISITE WAIVER


Depending on background or experience, you may be allowed to take some courses without first taking a prerequisite course. To take a course without first taking the prerequisite, you must obtain the approval of the head of the appropriate academic department. Complete the Prerequisite Waiver Request Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office.


INDIVIDUALIZED PRIOR LEARNING PORTFOLIOS


Credit for prior learning experience may also be awarded in some cases to students with verifiable work experience, including military experience and training, when no formal transcript, certification, or exam score is available. A portfolio may be submitted to demonstrate that your knowledge is equivalent to what you would have learned in a comparable Mitchell Tech course. The written component of the portfolio provides an opportunity for you to highlight your personal experience and to affirm that your skills and learning equate to the course you are challenging.

A prior learning portfolio is a detailed narrative and documentation illustrating college-level learning. The documentation provided will vary by course and may include samples of your work; awards and honors; employer letters of endorsement; certificates showing completion of workshops or seminars offered by business and industry; and any other relevant evidence of what you have learned. Preparation and content of the portfolio are the responsibility of the student and must be of sufficient breadth and depth to validate the student’s stated learning.

The portfolio must include the following sections:

  1. Course syllabus (available from the instructor or the registrar), including course description and learning objectives

  2. Credit for Prior Learning Portfolio Form signed by student and business office staff

  3. Academic Honesty Statement signed by student

  4. Current resumé

  5. Course specific prior learning narrative detailing your personal experience and learning that equates to the course learning objectives

  6. Documentation to demonstrate learning of course objectives (work samples, awards, employer letters, etc.)

Once the portfolio is submitted, it is evaluated to determine if the student has submitted sufficient documentation to demonstrate attainment and mastery of the specific course learning outcomes and/or technical competencies. A personal interview or hands-on demonstration of skills may be requested by the instructor as part of the evaluation.

More than one prior learning portfolio may be submitted by the student if more than one course is appropriate to their knowledge and skills.

A credit type of 'PL' will be used to transcribe credit earned through submitted portfolios.

Transcripts


Transcripts are copies of academic records. Official transcripts will be issued on the following basis:

  1. Copies of official transcripts cost $6.00 each.

  2. All requests for transcripts are made through the National Student Clearinghouse.

  3. Official transcripts include academic information of all completed and in-progress courses to date, grade point average, and degree(s) earned. Official transcripts are mailed in a sealed, labeled envelope upon request.

  4. Grade reports (unofficial transcripts), labeled as “Issued to Student,” are available at no cost.

  5. Walk-in unofficial transcript requests will be accepted during regular office hours. A photo ID is required.

  6. Students can obtain an unofficial transcript by logging into their MyTech account.

Except in unusual circumstances, Mitchell Tech will not make copies of source documents (high school or college transcripts) that originated at another agency or institution.

Reservation of the Right to Modify Materials listed in this document is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. The College reserves the right to make changes that seem necessary or desirable, including course and program cancellations, requirements, financial fees, and to add, alter, or delete courses and programs. While reasonable efforts will be made to publicize changes, a student is encouraged to seek current information from appropriate offices. Content is subject to change without notice and does not constitute an offer to contract with any person. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to be aware of current regulations, curriculum, policies, and the status of specific programs.

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