For adults who have made the decision to return to college after many years in the workforce, the possibility of earning college credit for work and life experiences may sound very appealing. Credit for Prior Learning, or CPL, opportunities are an excellent way to save money on tuition and shorten the time it takes to complete your degree.
A central piece of all eMajor degrees is the Credit for Prior Learning piece, and thus, several courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degrees have been pre-evaluated for CPL opportunities, with clearly outlined checklists and methodologies for requesting such credit. Criminal Justice eMajor partner institutions have also pre-evaluated Georgia's POST training curriculum for applicable CPL credit in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
There are five basic methods that one may use to earn credit for prior learning. Here is a brief overview of each along with some pointers for choosing the best method for your situation.
Challenge Exams
Challenge exams are institutionally based and are commonly referred to as "Credit by Exam." Any student who feels he or she is proficient in an academic subject can apply for credit by examination. Keep in mind that fees for challenge exam credit vary by institution, as do guidelines for qualifying to take these exams. For example - some schools may stipulate that a student cannot sit for a challenge exam for a course that they have already taken, or for which they have already earned a grade.
Portfolio
Credit by portfolio submission is the most labor-intensive method of earning CPL and is the one that is most commonly inquired about by potential and current students. This method is exactly what it sounds like — interested students compile a portfolio in order to petition for course credit. A proper portfolio should connect student learning to course learning outcomes, and needs to include both theory and artifacts that support the student's assertions. The portfolio is then assessed by content experts from the chosen academic area, and a decision to award or not award credit is made. Compiling an adequate portfolio for credit is a large undertaking. eMajor students wishing to submit a portfolio for CPL will be enrolled in a corresponding CPL workshop which will assist the student in preparing the necessary documentation.
CLEP - College Level Examination Program
CLEP offers 33 exams in various academic fields. Students sit for this exam and can earn college credit in that field with an acceptable score. Some things to consider if thinking of taking a CLEP exam: schools do not always accept all CLEP exams. You should first check your institution's academic catalog to review which exams are accepted and the score required for credit.
There are also several CLEP prep courses that you can take to "brush up" on your skills before taking a CLEP exam. For example, eCore offers free Macroeconomics and Business Law prep courses that prepare students for the CLEP exam in those subject areas. Visit the College Board website for more information on CLEP exams.
Military Credit
Evaluation of military training and experience for college credit is based on SMART transcripts. SMART transcripts are provided by the military and are a recommendation from that branch of the armed services on how colleges and universities can award credit for various training and experience you may have earned during service. SMART transcripts typically go through a very strenuous evaluation process that is based on ACE. Most limitations to earning credit from military experience come from the Course Equivalency Model, which means that the institution is only able to award credit for courses offered at that school.
AP Credit
AP Credit is typically earned by high school students. Many high schools offer AP level courses with an AP exam at the end. Upon earning a successful score on the AP exam, students can receive college credit for that course. Again, parameters for earning AP credit vary by institution, so be sure to check with the college in which you intend to enroll regarding their AP guidelines. Visit the Georgia Department of Education website for more information about AP credit.
We want to help you get the most credit possible for what you already have. The USG eCampus Credit for Prior Learning Coordinator is available to provide guidance to eMajor students in the form of portfolio assistance, making arrangements to take the CPL Proctored Challenge Exam and general support and insight throughout the request and review process. Simply complete the CPL help request form to request assistance.
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