Earn College Credit with Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for Microsoft Word

Earn College Credit with Microsoft Office XP Specialist Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for Microsoft Word 2002, Excel 2002, PowerPoint® 2002, Access 2002, Outlook® 2002 have each been recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for one semester hour of lower division, college credit. Additionally, Microsoft Project 2002 has been recommended for one semester hour of lower or upper division college credit.

Individuals who currently hold or are pursuing Office Specialist certification for Office XP (2002) and/or Project 2002 applications will be able to apply for college credit through ACE member institutions.

Interested students must pass an Office Specialist certification exam for one or more Microsoft Office XP applications and have their certification listed on an ACE Credit by Examination Transcript. Ultimately, the college or university you attend (or plan to attend) will independently decide whether to grant credit and waive associated tuition requirements, however, ACE member institutions give considerable weight to ACE credit recommendations. Contact your institution, or the institution you plan to attend, and inquire about their policy.

With the cost per college credit hour ranging from $275-$750, high school, vocational school, community college and 4-year college students can save time and money toward a college degree with Office Specialist certification.

American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendations For Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for Microsoft Word 2002, Excel 2002, PowerPoint 2002, Access 2002, Outlook 2002 (collectively, "Office XP") and Microsoft Project 2002 have each been recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for one semester hour of lower division, college credit in computer applications and information technology. Project 2002 has also been recommended for upper division credit. If you currently hold or are pursuing Microsoft Office Specialist certification for Office XP (2002) applications or Microsoft Project 2002, you will be able to apply for potential college credit.

To earn Microsoft Office Specialist certification and potential college credit, you must pass a Microsoft Office Specialist certification examination.

The 1,200 U.S. colleges and universities that comprise the membership of the American Council on Education (ACE) rely upon ACE's expert review of examinations, and corresponding credit recommendations, in formulating their own policies regarding awards of college credit by examination. The ACE Credit by Examination Program, consequently, has saved students, parents and employers millions of dollars in college tuition costs by allowing high school and college students to "test-out" of college requirements.

ACE's recommendation of Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for credit by examination extends the benefit of college tuition savings to students, parents and employers also interested in the work-relevant skills and recognition associated with Microsoft's certification of their Office application skills.

Which Microsoft Office Specialist Exams have been reviewed and approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit recommendation?

A number of schools offer college credit for other Microsoft Office Specialist certifications. However, the exams noted above have been reviewed by ACE and are officially recommended for college credit. Contact the admissions office at your institution, or the institution you plan to attend, and inquire about their policy.

In order to obtain ACE credit assistance at a participating college or university, ACE must verify your Microsoft Office Specialist certification(s) and then list your certification(s) on an official ACE Credit by Examination Transcript. ACE and the Microsoft Office Specialist program are working closely to finalize an efficient verification process and hope to have that process in place by early 2003. When the verification process is finalized and available, instructions will be posted on the Microsoft Office Specialist Web site.

In the meantime, your school may also choose to offer college credit for Microsoft Office Specialist certifications without assistance from ACE. A number of schools already do so. Contact the admissions office at your institution, or the institution you plan to attend, and inquire about their policy.

ACE reviews and recommends examinations for college credit to its member institutions, which ultimately consider the ACE credit recommendation and independently decide whether to award credit. While ACE member institutions give considerable weight to ACE credit recommendations, each institution, and in many cases, each academic unit and/or department within an institution, sets its own policies for granting credit.

Similarly, institutions independently determine the amount of credit granted for each certification. Some institutions may choose to waive a particular course requirement rather than grant credit.

If you currently hold, or plan to pursue Microsoft Office Specialist certification, contact the admissions office at your institution, or the institution you plan to attend, and inquire about their policy regarding college credit for Microsoft Office Specialist certification.

Additionally, if your school rejects the ACE credit recommendation, ACE can intervene to educate the institution and advocate on your behalf (see www.acenet.edu/calec/corporate/get_help.cfm).

Exam	ACE College Credit Recommendation
Access 2002 Core	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category.
Excel 2002 Core	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology or Introduction To Spreadsheets in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category.
Excel 2002 Expert	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology or Advanced Spreadsheets in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category.
Outlook 2002 Core	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology in the vocational certificate degree category.
PowerPoint 2002 Comprehensive	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology or Computer Presentations/Graphics in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category.
Project 2002 Comprehensive	One semester hour in Project Management in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree or upper division baccalaureate degree category.
Word 2002 Core	One semester hour in Computer Applications in the vocational certificate degree category.
Word 2002 Expert	One semester hour in Computer Applications or Information Technology in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category.

Taking your training to a higher level—a college degree—begins when you use the ACE Cooperating College Network. Cooperating colleges are accredited colleges that agree to consider your ACE college credit recommendations for courses, apprenticeship programs, and examinations. They agree to do so because they believe in the integrity of the course review process and are committed to being adult learner-friendly institutions.

ACE cooperating colleges use the guides and the ACE Transcript to help them understand where your training might fit inside their degree programs. Ultimately, every college and university has the discretion to accept credit for your ACE college credit recommendations as they see fit. Sometimes the structure of a degree program or departmental regulations may affect acceptance of ACE college credit recommendations. Be sure to contact the college where you intend to apply before starting the application process, to find out their policies beforehand.

ACE cooperating colleges are listed below by state. Please keep in mind that, with the advent of distance learning, many institutions may offer degrees off campus, nationally, or internationally. Make sure to check back often; we update this list regularly.

We're dedicated to answering your questions, connecting you to available resources, and assisting you in any way. Contact us through one of our 13 state affiliate offices, marked in bold type below. Affiliate offices are located around the country at accredited universities and have a designated staff member available to help you.

City University
Eastern Washington University
Edmonds Community College
Green River Community College
Heritage College
Pierce College
Renton Technical College
Skagit Valley College—Mt. Vernon Campus
Skagit Valley College—Whidbey Campus
Whitworth College
Yakima Valley Community College