Academic Catalog

College Credit Options

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Internships

Marple - 610-359-5304
1305 Academic Building
www.dccc.edu/cooperative education-internships

Cooperative Education (co-op) and internships are part of the College’s Experiential Learning program, which integrates off-campus career learning experiences with classroom studies. These experiences are structured to explore career options and/or to prepare for a specific occupation. Students participating in co-op and internships gain college credit and are graded for their learning/work experience by appropriate faculty.

Co-op

Students are placed in a full-time paid work/learning position that is directly related to their major field of study. They gain hands-on work experience and learn about related occupational positions in that field.

Internship

Students are placed in a part-time work/learning experience designed to introduce them to several facets of a particular career in an actual work environment. This can be paid or unpaid.

Co-op/internships can be done in selected majors in both degree and certificate programs. They may be taken for 1, 2 or 3 credits with a maximum of 6 credits per student. Course numbers for the majors participating in co-op/internship are: 199 for 3 credits (180 hours), 194 for 2 credits (120 hours) and 190 for one credit (60 hours).  For a full listing of options, go to Course Search, and filter by 'Course Type' = Co-Op/Internships.

Eligibility Requirements

For associate degree programs: completion of a minimum of 18 credits with at least 9 credits in the major, or core discipline. In some majors more courses are required.

For certificate programs, completion of the required courses for the certificate. The co-op/internship cannot be substituted for a required course.

The following are also required for all programs:

  • A grade point average of at least 2.5
  • A written faculty recommendation
  • A current resume

The Student Employment Services and Co-op Center staff work with students in securing appropriate opportunities. However, placement is not guaranteed.

Independent Study

Some programs offer an “independent” instructional mode for self-motivated, highly disciplined students who cannot pursue certain courses within the regular course framework. Students must check with the division dean to determine if independent study is appropriate.

Note: Independent study should not be confused with individualized study. Individualized study courses are those in which students work with various types of instructional support and individualized instruction. MAT 100 are offered in individualized instruction mode.

Transfer of Credit

Marple - 610-359-5322
www.dccc.edu/transfer-college

A student who transfers to Delaware County Community College from another college or university can request the transfer of credits by sending an official transcript from their previous institution to the Records Office or through an electronic transcript service like Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse to records@dccc.edu. The college cannot accept forwarded emails from a student as official transcripts.  Current and former students may transfer to the College a maximum of 36 credits from an accredited institution towards an associate degree and half of the total credits required towards a certificate. Students who have attended a college or university outside of the United States may be able to transfer their credits into Delaware County Community College. To do so, students should have the official, English-translated transcripts evaluated course-by-course by any member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and have the evaluations sent to the Records Office directly from the evaluation agency.

Information presented in online equivalency applications (such as transfercheck.academyone.com,  patrac.org, and collegetransfer.net) are unofficial guides as to how courses may transfer. Other factors considered are the grade received, the year in which the course was taken, and the major pursued after transfer. In all instances, final decisions about acceptance of course credit will be made by Delaware County Community College.

Credit for Prior Learning

Marple - 610-359-5322
Academic Building, 4260
www.dccc.edu/credit-prior-learning

Prior learning can be evaluated for College credit through the use of standardized tests or the submission of a portfolio containing certificates, transcripts and other information that documents college-level learning earned outside a formal classroom. Examples of other learning opportunities include apprenticeships, military service and non-credit seminars. Obtaining credit for prior learning may accelerate degree completion. Prior Learning Assessment advisors guide students in the identification and documentation of their learning as it relates to college courses and curricula in accordance with College policy.

Advanced Placement

Delaware County Community College grants advanced-placement college credits to qualified students. Advanced placement allows students to fulfill the requirements for certain courses. Students must contact the College Board to have their official grade report sent directly to Assessment Services. Credit is awarded to students earning an appropriate score on CEEB advanced placement examinations and is subject to instructor approval.

Visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org for an overview of AP exams.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

It is possible for a student to earn 36 credits toward an associate degree through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The CLEP exams provide students with the opportunity to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on most of the examinations.

Visit www.collegeboard.org/clep for an overview of CLEP exams.

DSST

Like the CLEP tests, DSST tests are standardized exams that measure students' knowledge of the material covered in certain introductory college courses. DSST credit is treated as transfer credit and is awarded only for a passing score on an exam. Non-passing scores do not appear on students' transcripts. Delaware County Community College awards credit for DSST exams based on the recommendation from the American Council for Education and from the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Faculty within each department research the content of each exam to determine if the course competencies are met before credit is awarded. A score of 400 equates to a "C" grade.

Visit DSST Exams for an overview of DSST.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The international Baccalaureate (IB) assess students' work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of IB's Diploma Program courses. IB measures students' knowledge of the material covered in certain introductory college courses and its credit is treated as transfer credit and awarded only for a passing score on an exam. Non-passing scores do not appear on students' transcript. Delaware County Community College awards credit for DSST exams based on the recommendation from the American Council for Education and the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Faculty within each department research the content of the exam to determine if the course competencies are met before credit is awarded. A score of either a 4 equates to a "C" grade depending on the specific subject matter. 

Visit International Baccalaureate for an overview of IB.

Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR)

SOAR is a career and technical education initiative that establishes statewide articulations between secondary and post-secondary education. These programs of study enable high school graduates in career or technical programs to earn college credit that can be applied to their continued studies at the post-secondary level. Assessment advisors in Assessment Services will provide assistance in obtaining credits from Delaware County Community College. For additional information, make a telephone appointment (contact information is at the top of this page) with an assessment advisor.

Visit Transfer.net to see how your high school credits may be accepted by the College.

Visit SOAR for additional information.