Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is one way in which students are able to earn university-level units for previous learning experiences outside the traditional college classroom setting. Up to 30 units may be earned through CPL of which a maximum of 12 units may be vocational in nature. In order for these “Prior Learning” experiences to be accepted for university credit, a student must be able to answer “yes” to the following three questions.

Is my prior learning experience:

Verifiable? Is there some way of verifying participation in the learning experience? This can be a Certificate, an HR report, a state-issued License, a College transcript, Military records, etc. Tangible proof that a student has completed the learning experience is required.

Measurable? Can the number of hours/days spent in the learning experience be verified? This may require a signed letter on company letterhead from the agency doing the training or teaching the course.

Learning? Is it knowledge-based and not just experiential? Remember, in order for something to count as Credit for Prior Learning, it must be about what was learned, not what was done. A short description of the training/course is needed.

Only when these three criteria are met can a CPL Petition be filed with the University requesting that credit for prior learning units be awarded. There is a nonrefundable $50 fee per petition, regardless of the number of units being requested.

An initial assessment with an Academic Counselor should indicate how many elective units a student may still need for graduation, and if those can be met through CPL.

PROCESSING CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you feel that you have previous learning experiences that would qualify for CPL units, you are encouraged to follow the guidelines listed below.

Do a “Prior Learning” Inventory –

Gather together as much of the following documentation as possible.

  1. Military Service Records. If you served in the Military, you are eligible for CPL units. If you do not already have the records, request your DD214 and AARTS/SMARTS report.

  2. Certificates. Gather together any and all certificates you have earned. Many certificates will list the number of hours spent in training, if not, you will need to verify how many hours went into obtaining the certificate. Unfortunately, without verifiable hours a certificate cannot be used for CPL. A letter from the agency doing the training/teaching the course that is signed and on company letterhead is sufficient for verification of the hours. Some certificates have been pre-approved for acceptance by the university. Check the Precedent’s list for these pre-approved certificates.

  3. Licenses. State or agency issued licenses/permits can be used for CPL. These include things like CPR/First Aid, Scuba, Tae Kwan Do, Pilot’s license, etc. Check the Precedent’s list for more.

  4. HR reports. You may have had “on-the-job” training that was required by your employer. Often your HR department will be able to give you a printout of your training record. Again the most important aspect that the HR reports must include is the hours of training and a short description of the training/course.

  5. College Transcripts. Occasionally courses that you have had at another institution cannot be transferred in directly by the Registrar’s Office. However, these non-transferable courses can often be brought in through CPL. If these courses are vocational in content, then a maximum of 12 units can be awarded, but only if the student is currently working in the same or a closely related field. A copy of your transcript and a brief course description are needed.

For a more extensive explanation of CPL and for additional handouts and flyers, contact your Education Center.

Submit a Proposal -

Meet with your Academic Counselor to fill out a CPL Proposal. They will help you determine the type and number of units you can earn from CPL.

Students not yet accepted to the Program must have submitted a completed application and the $35 Application Fee. Students already admitted to the BOLD Program may submit a proposal at any time. However it should be noted that it could take up to six months to fully process a CPL Petition, so plan accordingly to meet the graduation deadlines.

A complete CPL proposal signed by your Academic Counselor must accompany the submission of materials. For job-related training/learning (Vocational CPL), the proposal must also include a three-paragraph explanation of:

  1. A brief description of your current vocation.

  2. A brief description of the training.

  3. How the training is being applied in your current position.

Attach materials to substantiate your proposal. These should meet the minimum listed below.

  1. Certificates. If the hours are not listed on the certificate, you must include proof for the hours spent in the “learning” situation, and a brief description of the course.

  2. HR training reports must include hours spent in the “learning” situation, and a brief description of the course.

  3. State-issued Licenses can be accepted as is, unless they have been “revoked.”

  4. Military Service must include a copy of your DD214 for Basic Training and an AARTS/SMARTS report. (For any additional training see handout).

  5. Items on the Precedent’s List are acceptable as is. (Ask your Education Center).

  6. Units not brought in by the Registrar’s office can be submitted with a copy of the official transcript.

  7. “Portfolio”-type materials will be subject to TPT/PLE requirements (ask your Education Center for the handout “Can I write a Paper?”).

CPL FEES

There is a fee of $50.00 per petition, whether or not credit is granted. There is no additional charge for rewritten and resubmitted essays. If credit is granted, an entry is made on your transcript as ORLD 290 with the title or general subject area of the learning, and the number of units granted. No grade is given, other than CR, and thus, CPL does not affect your GPA. Since CPL is not graded classroom units, CPL units are not counted towards units in residence or towards honors.

For further assistance contact your Academic Counselor, or The BOLD CPL Associate, at 562.903.4712