Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Credit for prior learning may be earned for eligible courses approved by the faculty for students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment.
Authorized assessments may include:
- Military Service Credit (JST military transcripts) evaluation
- Industry Certification/Accreditation or License evaluation
- Student-Created Portfolio Review
- Credit by Examination
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores evaluation
Credits acquired through the Credit for Prior Learning process shall not be counted in determining the 12 semester hours of credit in residence required for an Associate degree (Title 5 §) and are not applicable to meeting semester unit load requirements (i.e., full-time status, Veteran’s or Social Security benefits, financial aid, etc.).
Students are encouraged to review the current list of industry credentials approved at SRJC.
Students should meet with a Counselor for specific information regarding CPL and the petition process. For more information see: Santa Rosa Junior College District Administrative Procedure on Credit for Prior Learning (AP 4235)
- What are the Benefits of CPL?
Earning college credit through CPL can help you save time and money by shortening the amount of time to obtain your degree or certificate and, therefore, lower the cost of tuition. It can accelerate your academic progress by taking higher level courses sooner.
- Who qualifies for CPL?
Students who can provide proof of industry credentials and certifications, graduation from service academies, military training, or can demonstrate relevant work knowledge through a portfolio review or exam may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning.
- What is the Student Eligibility for CPL?
- The student must be in good standing in the District.
- The student must have previously earned credit or noncredit from the District or be currently registered in the District.
- The student is not currently enrolled in the course for which they are seeking Credit for Prior Learning.
- Credit by Examination: The student is registered in the District and not currently enrolled in nor has received credit for a more advanced course in the same subject.
- What does CPL cost?
There are currently no fees associated with requesting Credit for Prior Learning.
- Credit for Military Service/Training
Students interested in credit for prior learning using Joint Services Transcripts shall receive credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) Directory and approved by the appropriate discipline faculty of the college under the following circumstances:
- Official transcripts must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office.
- These may include but are not limited to:
- Joint Services Transcript (JST)
- Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)
- Army and American Council on Education Registry Transcript Service (AARTS)
- Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
- Coast Guard Institute (CGI)
- DANTES/USAFI
- Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Transcripts (DLIFLC)
- Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC)
- Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOS)
- Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)
- DLPT Examinee Results
- DA Form 330 Language Proficiency Questionnaire, or verified copies of documents such as DD214, DD295, or similar military records. Credit course equivalency shall be determined by the faculty of the appropriate discipline.
- Credit for Industry-Recognized Credentials
Students interested in credit for prior learning using industry-recognized credential(s) will receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty designee. The knowledge and skills validated by the industry-recognized credential(s) must align with the content of the course for which credit is being requested. Credit will be awarded under the following circumstances:
- The student’s industry-recognized credential is on file in the Admissions and Records Office.
- The discipline faculty has evaluated the industry-recognized credential and verified that it effectively demonstrates sufficient mastery of course content as set forth in the course outline of record.
- Credit for Student-Created Portfolio Assessment
Students interested in credit for prior learning using a student-created portfolio shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty designee under the following circumstances:
- A department-approved portfolio assessment rubric for the course is on file.
- The department chair or faculty designee determines that the student-created portfolio adequately measures sufficient mastery of the course content as set forth in the course outline of record.
- Credit by Examination
Students may obtain a Student Agreement & Application for Credit by Examination form at the Department Office or Service Center for the particular discipline for which he/she is seeking to apply for Credit by Examination.
Students requesting credit by examination may receive credit for satisfactory completion of an examination administered by the appropriate Department Chair or faculty designee in lieu of completion of a course listed in the catalog. A student wishing to take an eligible course through Credit by Examination is encouraged to informally discuss the matter with the Department Chair or faculty designee and instructor prior to initiating the formal process.
The completion of Credit by Examination may require the demonstration of other skills or the completion of assignments in addition to an examination.
- The Department Chair or faculty designee shall determine whether a student requesting Credit by Examination is sufficiently well prepared to warrant being given this opportunity. The determination is based upon a review of previous coursework and / or experience.
- No more than two attempts to be granted Credit by Examination or cumulative assessment will be allowed, including an exam the student registered for and failed to attend.
- Students who take the examination or cumulative assessment must pay a fee for service equal to the usual per unit enrollment fees for the course, but exclusive of any fee-based supplies. Fees for credit by exam are non-refundable.
- The maximum number of units awarded by Credit by Examination or cumulative assessment shall be limited to 15 units per SRJC student record.
- A Department Chair, after consultation with the faculty in the department, may apply to have a credit course within a given department available for Credit by Examination.
- For more information and to view the current course list: Available Credit by Exam Courses.
Please note: Contact the department regarding Credit by Examination (CBE). You do not need to submit the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Petition.
- Credit for Approved Standardized Examinations
Students requesting credit for prior learning using Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) may receive credit for earning a satisfactory score in the following circumstances:
Please note: If you are submitting AP or IB scores for evaluation, please submit the Transfer Credit Evaluation form to the Admissions and Records Office for evaluation. You do not need to submit the Credit for Prior Learning Petition.
- How do I begin the CPL process?
To request CPL, complete the Credit for Prior Learning Petition. It is advised that you meet with the Counseling Department to assist in this process. Please note, you will need to submit supporting documentation to the form, such as transcripts and official examination scores.
Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Petition