Credit for Prior Learning Policy

Credit for prior learning (CPL) provides an opportunity for students to document acquired learning from life/work experiences in a format that can be assessed for academic credit.  CPL credits may be earned by students who can demonstrate that they have gained university-level knowledge and skills that articulate with university coursework on the specific topic.

CPL may be appropriate for students if their prior learning experiences have resulted in college-level knowledge, skills and abilities, and if they are able to demonstrate that this knowledge meets the objectives of designated SOU courses.  This knowledge often comes from personal/professional experience and/or industry-specific certifications/trainings.

Before seeking credit for prior learning, the student must be admitted to the university.  apply to the academic program in which course credit is sought for approval to complete a prior learning portfolio to meet the requirements for coursework designated for CPL.

1. Students may not seek credit for prior learning for a course they have previously taken for credit and for which they have received a grade other than an audit, nor may they seek credit for a course more than once. If students register for a course for which they are seeking credit for prior learning, they must drop that course and submit an application for CPL for the course before the last day to drop without a grade record.

2. No more than 25% of the credits submitted for graduation may be earned through CPL.

3. Credit for prior learning counts toward graduation residency requirements.

4. Portfolios receive either a P (pass) or NP (no pass).  CPL P grades are recorded on the student transcript - CPL NP grades are not.  Transcripts will identify credits earned through CPL.

5. A non-refundable fee of up to $150 may be charged for each application to assess credit for prior learning, regardless of the outcome. A non­refundable fee of up to $55 per credit hour may be charged to the student at the time that credits are awarded.  These fees may vary, for example, based on the level of work involved in assessing the portfolio (e.x. portfolios that depend heavily upon “industry certification” may be assessed at a lower value).

6. Appropriate program faculty, or other approved departmental or institutional representative(s), are responsible for reviewing the portfolio and making a recommendation. The Program Chair or Coordinator for the program in which credits are sought is responsible for initiating the process and contacting program faculty who will review the portfolio and recommendation and make a decision to grant credit. If no program faculty are available to assess the portfolio, and no appropriate substitute can be identified, the program will have the option to deny the application.

7. Disposition of the portfolio assessment, along with the application, will be forwarded to the Registrar, who will keep it as part of the student’s permanent academic record.  The student’s portfolio will be stored by the Program Chair or Coordinator, or another appropriate administrator.

8. There is no guarantee of transferability of CPL credits to another institution.

9. Credit for prior learning will be assessed for undergraduate credit only.