Earning Credits for College-Level Knowledge Gained Outside the Classroom
Alverno College's Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program recognizes that experiential learning that takes place outside of the classroom can give students the knowledge required to earn credits for some courses. Earning these credits allows students to save money and graduate sooner. Students must be enrolled at Alverno to seek credits for prior learning. Please read the process to earn credits below.
Sources of Experiential Learning:
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Work experience
- Employer training programs
- Volunteer or community service
- Non-college courses or seminars
Earning Credits
Students do not earn credits based solely on their experiences. They have to demonstrate that their experiential learning has given them the college-level knowledge to meet course or program requirements. Students demonstrate their knowledge by completing assessments designed by faculty members. These assessments typically require students to create portfolios, write experiential essays, or complete a course assessment.
Here are examples of students who earned credits based on their prior learning:
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A student earned nine credits for prior learning - allowing her to graduate a semester earlier than she had expected. For her CPL assessment, she demonstrated how her volunteer experiences working with voter engagement campaigns, mobilizing communities to vote, and creating communication plans met the outcomes for three communications courses. |
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A student earned nine credits for prior learning by demonstrating how the college-level learning from her three years of operating a small business met the outcomes for three management courses. Successfully completing her CPL assessment saved her more than $3,000. |
Fees for Credit for Prior Learning
- $150 for an experiential essay assessment or internal performance assessment
- $150 per portfolio submitted (a portfolio includes documentation to support an experiential essay)
Process to Earn Credits
Determine Eligibility
- Students enrolled at Alverno College identify courses or program outcomes for which they want to earn credits for prior learning. NOTE: Students cannot seek credits for prior learning in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
- Students submit Student Interest Form by clicking the button below.
- CPL Coordinator contacts students to gather more information.
- CPL Coordinator provides information about the students to faculty.
- Faculty members determine if students are eligible to pursue credits for prior learning.
Complete CPL assessment
- If students are eligible, faculty members create assessments the students must complete to demonstrate that their experiential knowledge - not work experience - meets course or program outcomes. Students may be required to create portfolios, complete course assessments or write experiential essays.
- CPL Coordinator reviews assessment criteria provided by faculty with students and provides resources as needed.
- Students complete assessments at their own pace.
- CPL Coordinator sends students' completed CPL assessments to faculty members for evaluation.
Evaluate CPL Submissions
- Faculty members evaluate students’ submissions to determine if students' experiential knowledge meets course outcomes.
- Evaluation usually takes about three weeks.
- Students have one opportunity to make revisions requested by faculty members.
- If students' submissions successfully demonstrate course outcomes, students receive credits for prior learning. Students can earn no more than 24 credits for prior learning.
- CPL Coordinator sends faculty evaluation to students, the Registrar’s Office and Student Accounts.
Getting Started
Students interested in seeking credits based on their experiential knowledge should complete and submit the Student Interest Form by clicking the button below. The CPL Coordinator will contact students after they submit the form.
