Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a term used to describe the assessment of college level learning that is gained outside a traditional academic environment.

CPL enables you to enrich or accelerate your program of study by eliminating duplication of educational efforts. Credit is granted to degree-seeking students for verifiable college level learning, either knowledge or skills, acquired through life or work experience. Course credit is awarded when content mastered through a prior learning experience is equivalent to the student learning outcomes of a UVU course. This equivalency is validated by academically sound and rigorous prior learning assessment methods.

To begin the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process, you should first review the CPL website to learn as much as possible about CPL. Then fill out the questionnaire to begin the process. You will receive additional information and guidance from Testing Services.

In developing your credit for prior learning request(s), you will work with your advisor and program representatives to determine:

• If the learning is college-level
• If the learning is appropriate to the degree plan you are developing
• How best to demonstrate you learning

• The learning should be theoretical as well as practical.
• You should be able to identify the principles involved in doing what you are able to do.
• The learning should be equivalent to college-level work in terms of quality.
• The learning should be identified as college-level when evaluated by an expert in the field. This means you should be able to convince an expert evaluator through description or demonstration that your knowledge or competence is at the college-level.
• Complete the CPL Self-Assessment

Indirectly, yes. Academic credit results from knowledge demonstrated at the college level, and your knowledge may be a result of your work and life experiences. This knowledge should fit the equivalent of a college course taught at UVU and meet the requirements of your degree program.

Yes, you must be a fully admitted student at Utah Valley University

CPL may be applied toward courses in a certificate of completion, AA, AS, AAS degree, BS degree and BA degree programs only for the purpose of satisfying graduation requirements. No more than 10 required credits toward a certificate of completion, 30 required credits toward an associate degree or 50 credits toward a bachelor’s degree may be awarded through credit for prior learning. Credit for prior learning is not eligible for use in a certificate of proficiency. CPL awarded through internal assessment shall not count for institutional residency or toward graduation residency requirements.

Although there is no guarantee that you will receive credit, your academic advisor and your faculty assessor work with you to ensure that you have a strong possibility of earning academic credit.

It depends on which CPL method(s) you plan to use. For a challenge exam, consider the amount of time you need for study and preparation and the time to schedule the examination. The evaluation of the examination takes up to two weeks. For the development of a portfolio, students usually take about a semester. The number of courses attempted through the portfolio determines the amount of time. The evaluation of the portfolio takes up to four weeks.

The program representative will notify the student in writing of the final outcome of their CPL Assessment Request.

Utah Valley University will allow the transfer of credits earned through Prior Learning Assessment at another Utah state institutions so long as those credits correlate to a specific course that is required for the student’s program major, and given that the course in question is equivalent to a required Utah Valley University course. This might involve a meeting with a faculty assessor, or a request to see original documents.

Utah Valley University does not guarantee that another college or university will accept CPL credit in transfer. Students planning to transfer to a college or university should contact the receiving institution to determine the acceptability of transferring CPL.

Yes. When you earn CPL credit, it is applied to your academic record in the same way as is classroom credit.

The title of the course, the course number, the number of credit hours, and your grade are documented on your transcript.

No. CPL credit is regarded the same as graded credit, and counts towards the total credit hours required for graduation. If you plan to transfer to another institution, however, your CPL credit may not be honored. The program representative can provide an explanation to another institution, if you request it.

Cost varies, based on the method you choose. For a complete listing of student fees, please see our fees schedule. Note that all CPL fees must be paid in advance of the assessment and are non-refundable.

Yes. The cost to you is based, in part, on work involved for the faculty assessor. Regardless of outcome and/or credit granted, a faculty assessor must still provide a grade for CPL.

Part-time or full-time status is determined by the number of semester credits in which you are enrolled. Since you do not enroll for a CPL Assessment, do not count courses you are attempting through CPL Assessment toward part-time or full-time status. For specific information regarding financial aid, please contact the UVU Financial Aid Office.

Many employers, if already providing tuition assistance, will also reimburse assessment fees. Your advisor or program representative, at your request, can provide a letter of explanation to your employer.