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Courses transferable to any other school or program at VCU are transferable to the BIS degree as are some courses from community colleges, professional and technical programs. Courses from two-year institutions (including community and junior colleges) are limited to 60 credits. Applied Science credit is limited to 30 credits in the focus area only. Business and business related courses are limited to 30 credits. The last 25 percent, or 30 credits, of the BIS degree must be earned at VCU unless planned focus area courses are not offered at VCU; only then may pre-approval be considered.

Credits toward the BIS degree may include military training/education, technical or workplace training (30 hours maximum), portfolio evaluation from other accredited institutions (15 hours maximum), and CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams (54 hours maximum).

In order for military, technical or workplace credit to be considered, students must request transcripts through the American Council on Education (ACE) and submit them to the BIS program for review. You may request ACE transcripts by going to their Web site.

Portfolio evaluation is a method of earning college level credit for life/work experience. Students work with an acceptably accredited college or university to present experiences as the equivalent to college level courses. That school posts the portfolio credit on its transcript and the BIS student transfers that credit to VCU. The BIS program recommends Thomas Edison State College. Before pursuing the portfolio credit, talk with BIS program advisers to make sure the portfolio credit is in the final approved curriculum plan.

CLEP is a national testing program and a way for adults to earn credit for life/work experience. VCU is a national test site and students may take exams by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays of each month, except January, May, August and December. BIS students are advised to review CLEP procedures and regulations in their undergraduate

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Linda Spinelli