Assessment and Placement
Placement and Testing Center
Entry Advising
Most applicants who are new to college need a skills assessment to get placement into specific courses. The goal of placement is to assess and educate students about academic expectations of college courses, so they are able to effectively engage with course content, and have the best chances of being successful in their studies. The placement process helps students choose courses that best match skills, abilities, and previous experience. Highline College uses a variety of measures to determine the most appropriate placement for students: High school transcripts, Directed Self Placement, SBAC, SAT/ACT, and MyMathTest to name a few. Before you take your test at the Testing Center, please make sure that you have a placement conversation with an Entry Advisor first to ensure that you’re taking the right test.
For students who need to take MyMathTest or Accuplacer, they are encouraged to prepare. Students can save money and time by refreshing their academic skills so that they do not register for courses with material previously learned. Find preparation options and materials at the Placement and Testing Center’s Prepare for Placement page.There are no fees for placement tests at Highline College. Please bring a photo ID to the Placement and Testing Center in building 1; no appointment is necessary.
Students with disabilities should contact Access Services at (206) 592-3857, if they will be requesting accommodations for placement testing. Access Services is located in Building 25.
Students who have attended a college or university prior to enrolling at Highline may be exempt from taking placement tests. The Entry Advising department will provide individual evaluations for students who are uncertain about their need for assessment and which classes they are eligible to take. Students should bring their college transcripts to the center or e-mail at entryadvising@highline.edu. Students with transfer credits from a college or university should have the classes evaluated for transfer credit so it can be applied to earn a degree or certificate at Highline College.
Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment
A currently enrolled student who believes previous professional, business or educational experience has provided the skills and knowledge required for passing a course offered by Highline may be permitted to challenge that course by examination or other evidence that meets course learning outcomes. This process is called Prior Learning Assessment.
Courses that may be challenged and procedures for challenging can be obtained from the department that schedules the course.
Credit for this type of learning may be used for distribution or elective credit and is limited to 15 credits for the Associate in Arts and Associate of Science degrees. More than 15 credits may be applied to an Associates of Applied Science degree, however the degree must meet the residency requirement of 25% of total required credits taken at Highline College. For more details, visit Highline’s Prior Learning Assessment webpage.
Academic Advising
Advising Center
(206) 592-3067
Academic Advising is an important part of the student’s educational experience, with key checkpoints to ensure students are taking classes that match their academic and career goals, and are connected with critical resources and services to support their success. Advisors are dispersed widely across the college and available to support students throughout their time at Highline.
When getting started, students should meet with an Entry Advisor for help through the enrollment process and to determine course placement. After attending Explore Highline! Orientation or a specialized orientation offered by certain programs, where students are connected with advisors and key staff to learn about educational planning. It is recommended that students meet with an advisor at least once during the first term in order to discuss their educational and career goals and to create an educational plan. Advisors can help students understand program prerequisites, locate campus resources, understand Highline policies, and connect to universities and plan for transfer. Advisors can provide valuable information and guidance, but ultimately each student is responsible for knowing Highline’s degree and college transfer requirements.
After students have earned 30 credits and confirmed their educational goals, Faculty Advisors assist students by providing guidance in a particular program of study/degree. Some degree programs encourage students to connect with a Faculty Advisor before 30 credits for more specific educational planning from the beginning of their academic career.
Prior to graduating, students are encouraged to prepare for transfer or to enter a career field by participating in career development events and/or transfer fairs and workshops. Transfer students should connect with 4-year university representatives, and confirm with an advisor that appropriate prerequisites, university requirements, and Highline College certificate or degree requirements have been met.
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