ASPPA Examinations Awarded College Credit Recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE)

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General Information

An extensive two-day, on-site review of all ASPPA examinations occurred at the National Office in November 2004. A team of six subject-matter experts consisting of college/university faculty members and psychometricians met with key ASPPA volunteer leaders and staff. The ACE team thoroughly examined the materials and procedures for developing, administering and evaluating ASPPA examinations and found that the skill sets measured by the examinations were equivalent to those found in college courses.

Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all of the nation's higher education institutions representing 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges/universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations.

Credit Recommendations

Candidates may be able to receive academic credit for successful completion of most ASPPA examinations retroactively for 10 years. Below are the specific college credit recommendations for each ASPPA examination. A total of 15 semester hours in the upper division baccalaureate degree category and 3 semester hours in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category have been recommended for ASPPA examinations.

These recommendations appear in the Guide to Educational Credit by Examinations published annually by ACE.

C-1: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Administrative and Qualification Issues of Retirement Plans.

C-2(DC): Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Administrative Issues of Defined Contribution Plans.

PA-1: Lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Pension Plan Terminology.

PA-2: Lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Pension Plan Records and Processing.

PA-3: Lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Pension Plan Evaluation.

DC-1: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Defined Contribution Pension Plans.

DC-2: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Defined Contribution Pension Plans.

DC-3: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Defined Contribution Pension Plans.

DB: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Defined Benefit Plan Administration.

C-3: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Financial and Fiduciary Aspects of Qualified Plans.

C-4: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Retirement Planning and Consulting.

A-4: Upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Advanced Actuarial Methods.

The credits listed above are recommended credits. Institutions are not required to grant a student the credit recommended by ACE, nor are they limited to granting only the stated credit recommendations.

Transcripts

ASPPA has joined the ACE Transcript Service to provide official and comprehensive transcripts to colleges and universities. Candidates interested in receiving transcripts for the successful completion of ASPPA examinations must register with ACE online at: https://www.acenet.edu/transcripts/register/

Candidates should submit their request online with ACE and will be notified by email whenever a request has been approved or denied. Candidates may also log in at any time and view the status of their request. Upon completion of the approval process, candidates will be charged a one time activation fee of $35. This $35 fee includes your first transcript.

Subsequent transcripts can be ordered for $10.

Transcripts are sent directly by ACE to colleges and universities.

If you have questions about this service, please contact the ASPPA Education Services Department at educasppa@asppa.org.