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What is Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)?
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is learning individuals gain outside of traditional educational classrooms. Individuals may obtain learning in a variety of non-traditional settings such as workshops in the workplace, training through the military or law enforcement, professional certifications, or national examinations. The best part is that many non-traditional learning experiences may be equivalent to college-level credit!
Why should a student consider CPL?
Earning credit through CPL can save students time and money, provide a faster path to graduation, allow students to list college credit on a resume, and demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills learned outside of education.
How do I get started?
The first step, if you are not already a student at Arizona Western College, is to fill out an application online. Once you have been accepted, set up an appointment with an Advisor to discuss your educational plans. More information on the CPL process is provided below.
Programs Awarding CPL Assessment
After registering in at least one AWC course, a student pursuing CPL should create an account for AWCs CPL app, Credit Predictor Pro, and submit their prior learning experience(s).
Below are some of the CPL equivalencies AWC has established. More equivalencies can be found in the Academic Catalog or the Credit Predictor Pro app.
CPL Guidelines for Students
To be eligible for CPL a student must have an AWC application on file and be actively seeking a certificate or degree. Credit for prior learning is only available for courses which are in the student's current Program of Study. Students must be registered and/or have completed at least one course at AWC in order to have credits posted on their AWC transcript.
Prior learning credit may be granted for major course requirements, departmental requirements, or general elective credit. Program requirements should be reviewed to determine how CPL credits will apply toward graduation. CPL grades are not reflected on AWC Transcripts nor included on Arizona Western College GPA.
CPL credits will be posted in the semester and year the CPL is awarded. Students can track the review and approval process through the Credit Predictor Pro app. The review and transcription process should be completed within 30 days of certification submission.
Students may be allowed up to 30 prior learning credits toward an associate degree and up to 15 prior learning credits for a certificate. Students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework at AWC to be awarded an associate degree.
The credits awarded are granted toward an AWC degree. AWC does not guarantee the credits awarded through the CPL method will transfer to other institutions. All institutions reserve the right to review credits to determine how awarded credits apply at their own institution.
Credit may be awarded for a variety of experiences. Submit your prior learning experiences through AWCs CPL app, Credit Predictor Pro, to find out if your prior learning can save you time and money. Below are some examples of prior learning experiences AWC evaluates.
CERTIFICATIONS (LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL)
Students who have completed a professional certification or training program may be eligible for course credit. Customs and Border Protection Homeland Security and Law Enforcement are two examples of professional certifications or training programs that may translate to equivalent coursework in that discipline.
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
“A Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Services,” is the basis for evaluating the training and experiences in military service. When applicable, credit earned may be used for degree credit as equivalent courses in the major or as general electives up to the maximum number of credits prescribed by the specific program requirements. Credit accepted from such sources may not apply for graduation in specific majors or degree programs. These credits may not transfer to another educational institution.
Students must request their military transcripts from the appropriate branch of service. After student has registered and the military transcripts are received, the evaluation and posting of credit will transpire.
STANDARDIZED EXAMINATIONS (AP/CIE/CLEP/DLPT/DSST/IB)
Standardized Examinations allow students the opportunity to complete an examination and at the same time, earn college credit for equivalent courses. Students must register for at least one course at AWC and request the credit by examination results be sent to AWC.
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
Portfolio Development is designed for students who have acquired and applied knowledge in a specific discipline that is equivalent to college coursework and/or have documented evidence of non-traditional learning. Students pursuing CPL through Portfolio Development should possess an ability to analyze their experiences and demonstrate mastery of college- level writing skills.
CHALLENGING AWC COURSES
Students have the opportunity in some Arizona Western College courses to earn credit by completing a comprehensive examination. Students cannot receive credit for a course that is equivalent to or lower than that in which they are currently enrolled or for which they have already received credit. Students may not apply to challenge a course a second time.
If a student would like to challenge a course, the student should contact his or her Advisor for guidance on contacting the appropriate division and requesting a challenge exam.
- If approved, academic division agrees to provide/proctor challenge exam to a student, the division fills out and signs appropriate form
- Student registers and pays for approved course section (class)
- Student coordinates exam schedule with academic division and completes the challenge exam
- If the challenge exam is graded as a C grade or better the Academic division will record the exam score on the form and submit the document to the Transfer Services Office. The course grade will be denoted as a ‘CR’ on the student transcript
- The Transfer Services Office will notify the student when posting has been completed
CPL Guidelines for Faculty
The assessment of the learning is the responsibility of faculty who are content specialists at AWC. Practices used in assessing prior learning should be consistent with contemporary assessment methodology. Learning assessed for post-secondary credit should be:
- Linked to established learning outcomes or other criteria consistent with institutional standards for a given course
- Transferable to contexts other than the one in which it was learned
- Current and relevant
- At a level of achievement equivalent to that of other learners engaged in studies at that level in that program or subject area
- Assessed using a range of strategies consistent with institutional standards for a given course
Faculty are involved with CPL of:
- Challenging AWC courses
- Local, state, and national certifications
- Portfolio development
CPL PROCESS
Certifications (local, state, national)
Students who have completed a professional certification or training program may be eligible for course credit. Law enforcement academies and allied health certifications are a couple of examples of professional certifications or training programs that may be translate to equivalent coursework in that discipline.
Students submit their certification through AWCs CPL app, Credit Predictor Pro, and the certifications are routed to the appropriate division faculty for review. Students can track the review and approval process through the application. The review and transcription process should be completed within 30 days of certification submission.
Challenging AWC Courses
Students have the opportunity in some Arizona Western College courses to earn credit by completing a comprehensive examination. Students cannot receive credit for a course that is equivalent to or lower than that in which they are currently enrolled or for which they have already received credit. Students may not apply to challenge a course a second time.
If a student would like to challenge a course, the student will contact his or her Advisor for guidance on contacting the appropriate division and requesting a challenge exam.
- If approved, academic division agrees to provide/proctor challenge exam to a student, the division fills out and signs appropriate form
- Student registers and pays for approved course section (class)
- Student coordinates exam schedule with academic division and completes the challenge exam
- If the challenge exam is graded as a C grade or better the Academic division will record the exam score on the form and submit the document to the Transfer Services Office. The course grade will be denoted as a ‘CR’ on the student transcript
- The Transfer Services Office will notify the student when posting has been completed
Portfolio Development
Portfolio Development is designed for students who have acquired and applied knowledge in a specific discipline that is equivalent to college coursework and/or have documented evidence of non-traditional learning. Students pursuing CPL through Portfolio Development should possess an ability to analyze their experiences and demonstrate mastery of college- level writing skills.
To have a portfolio reviewed for CPL, a student submits their portfolio through AWCs CPL app, Credit Predictor Pro. Students can track the review and approval process through the application. The review and transcription process should be completed within 30 days of submission.