Credit by Exam is a process that allows students to earn college credit by demonstrating mastery of college-level course content.

For approved CTE College Credit courses, the exam or assessment may include a written exam, project, portfolio, skills demonstration, or another faculty-approved method.

No. College credit is not automatic.

Students must meet all requirements listed in the approved Credit by Exam agreement. This may include earning a required grade in the course and completing the approved exam or assessment.

There is no tuition or enrollment fee for eligible students earning approved CTE College Credit through Credit by Exam.

CTE College Credit classes are offered in local high schools by qualified high school instructors. Each high school offers a variety of CTE College Credit eligible classes.

Ask your high school counselor, college and career specialist, CTE instructor, or district early college credit coordinator.

You may also check: 

You may also contact ctecollegecredit@gcccd.edu for assistance.

Students may need to complete college enrollment steps so a college record can be created and credit can be posted to a transcript.

Follow the instructions provided by your instructor, counselor, school district, or the GCCCD Application site.

Link to College application sites:

Grossmont College Application

Cuyamaca College Application

Credit posting timelines may vary depending on when the course is completed, when student eligibility is verified, and when records are processed.

After credit is posted, it will appear on the student’s Grossmont College or Cuyamaca College transcript.

Transferability is determined by the receiving institution.

Credit earned through Credit by Exam may apply to Grossmont College or Cuyamaca College certificates, degrees, or program requirements. Other colleges and universities may have different policies.

Students planning to transfer should speak with a college counselor.

Contact ctecollegecredit@gcccd.edu and include:

1. Full name
2. High school or adult school
3. Course name
4. Instructor name
5. Year the course was completed

Educators should first work with their school district’s early college credit coordinator, CTE pathway coordinator, or designated district contact.

A request may then be submitted by email to ctecollegecredit@gcccd.edu.

What should be included in the email request?

Please include:

1. School name
2. Instructor name and email
3. District early college credit coordinator or designated contact
4. Current school course name and number
5. Proposed Grossmont College or Cuyamaca College course match, if known
6. Current course outline
7. Competencies, objectives, or student learning outcomes
8. Major assignments, projects, or assessments
9. Relevant industry certifications, skills, or standards, if applicable

You may still email ctecollegecredit@gcccd.edu for assistance.

GCCCD CTE support staff can help route the request and coordinate with the appropriate college faculty.

Grossmont College and/or Cuyamaca College faculty review the course materials and determine whether the high school or adult school course aligns with the college course.

Course alignment is based on content, competencies, skills, learning outcomes, assessments, and level of rigor.

No. Agreements are reviewed periodically and may need to be updated or renewed when course outlines, competencies, curriculum standards, or college requirements change.

Educators should work with their district early college credit coordinator and GCCCD CTE College Credit support staff to keep agreements current.