Behind the Scenes: How your apprenticeship turns into college credit

There are two requirements that an apprenticeship program must satisfy to qualify for credits toward a degree at a New Jersey public institution of higher education.

Step 1: Rigorous Evaluation of Apprenticeship Training Programs:

Credits are stringently evaluated by one of two nationally recognized credit evaluation services: the American Council on Education (ACE) CREDIT program or the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI).The two teams review the apprenticeship program's curriculum material, teaching objectives and environments,  learning assessment tools, record keeping practices, and more. Upon review, the team determines the how many credits will transfer and makes a formal recommendation.

Step 2: Articulation of Credit Recommendations into College Degree Programs:

While the recommendation for credit is important, it remains only a recommendation until an accredited institution of higher education accepts it and awards credit. NJ PLACE facilitates this second step at a statewide level for those who qualify.

NJ PLACE has agreements with each of the NJ community colleges and the evaluated apprenticeship sponsors. These agreements specify a minimum number of credits the college will count toward a degree, as well as a recommended course of study. Individual colleges may allow a student to transfer more than the minimum credits on a case-by-case basis, or a college may enter into an agreement with an apprenticeship program to transfer a greater number of recommended credits for any of their apprentices. Colleges can award credit for apprenticeship coursework as it progresses, or wait until completion.

NJ PLACE is also in the process of expanding articulation agreements between New Jersey’s community colleges and its 4-year colleges and universities to develop an educational pathway from apprenticeship to baccalaureate degrees.

Click here to learn how to get started with NJ PLACE.