Credit for Prior Learning is for adult learners who have gained significant knowledge, skills and abilities outside the traditional classroom that may be equivalent to college-level coursework. Credentialed faculty in each discipline will establish the course criteria and assess fulfillment to determine credit awarded.
Utah Valley University offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) to enable students to enrich or accelerate their programs of study. CPL is inclusive and validates the prior learning of students, making education more affordable and accessible. More information about Credit for Prior Learning can be found on the UVU CPL page.
Each program of study shall widely communicate CPL course criteria and opportunities in a timely manner to prospective and admitted students. For further details on how the Technology Management and Mechatronics department handles CPL, keep reading.
The following are University-level requirements that must be met to receive CPL:
All prerequisite courses must be completed, either by taking the course or receiving CPL.
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. CPL is not eligible for use in a certificate of proficiency. A BS degree can comprise up to 25% CPL credits.
USHE (Utah System of Higher Education) Prior Learning Assessment information
There is a $15 non-refundable fee for the CPL process. There is another $5 per credit fee when credit is applied. Both fees are charged to your UVU account. In the end, as soon as your UVU account is paid in full, the credit will be applied to your transcript and show in Wolverine Track.
In addition to the university requirements, the Technology Management and Mechatronics department sets in motion further processes and requirements.
Simply making the request for CPL does not guarantee that credit will be awarded. The Technology Management and Mechatronics department is not obligated to provide nor allow CPL for any Technology Management or Mechatronics course. Prior learning assessments must be passed. In any request for prior learning credit (UVST 1100 Portfolio Submission), the burden of proof is on the student not the department. If experience is not obvious, the request will likely be denied.
Course mentors are the only instructors that can approve CPL for the course they mentor for. Other course instructors will need to refer the inquiring student to the course mentor. The department chair may also evaluate submissions for prior learning credit.
Types of CPL Offered: The department offers Prior Learning Credit, and MTECH Articulation Agreement only.
All other forms of CPL are handled by the Transfer Credit Department.
You must have passed the prerequisite course or passed the prior learning assessment for the prerequisite course before requesting CPL for the subsequent course. Please see the UVU Course Catalog for a listing of prerequisite requirements.
The UVU Catalog also provides descriptions of the courses we teach. Match the course descriptions to your …
If you have taken a course at another institution, and in the transfer credit process did not receive credit for the course you expected, please work with the Transfer Credit office at 801-863-8216 or [email protected] If this does not work out, work with your advisor. As a last resort, our department chair can evaluate your request for credit. A copy of the course syllabus from the previous institution will be needed.
Programs at Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) which may align for prior learing elective credit towards a Technology AAS degree are as follows:
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Custom Design and Fabrication |
630 hours-12 credits CPL |
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Digital Marketing and Analytics |
600 hours-12 credits CPL |
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Electrical Apprenticeship |
720 hours-12 credits CPL |
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IT Support Technicians |
690 hours-12 credits CPL |
MTEC students can receive UVU credit for non-credit coursework completed at the MTECH through the Credit Articulation Agreement. This satisfies a requirement toward an AAS Degree in Technology. For more information please visit our MTECH information page.
Prior learning credit is credit received for technical credit depending on but not limited to professional certifications, job trainings, or proof of work experience. The department chair or a designated faculty member will determine if your work experience encompasses a knowledge in Technology, Engineering, Mechatronics, or approved related field and if your request complies with any other requirements needed for proof of experience set by the instructor.
As stated above, the burden of proof is on the student not the instructor and any request for prior learning credit that is not obvious will typically be denied.
- University Policy: CPL shall be awarded only for courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements in the program of enrollment and to the student's declared certificate or degree program as outlined in the university catalog.
- University Policy: CPL shall not be awarded solely for experience; CPL shall not be awarded only for evidence of college-level learning that aligns with program and course learning outcomes.
- Univeristy Policy: All credit for prior learning evidence submitted by the student and the assessment evidence submitted by faculty may be retained by the University; therefore, it is recommended that students do not submit proprietary information for assessment.
Work with Course Mentor: The UVST 1100 mentor will work with you in creating your portfolio exhibiting your knowledge of and experience in Technology, Engineering, Mechatronics, or approved related field. The portfolio may include evidence of but is not limited to professional certifications, documented job training, and projects.
It is applied as earned credit, no grade, and is not calculated in your GPA.
If I had to drop the course in order to qualify for prior learning credit, can I get my place back in the course I was registered for?
No exceptions are allowed in the registration system. You will have to re-register for the course as before (and potentially pay for late registration fees). If the course is full, you will have to wait on the waitlist, be late added or register for a different section of the course in question.
