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Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Students' knowledge and skills might be gained through experiences such as:

  • AP, IB, CLEP College Board Exams
  • Military service/ training
  • Industry recognized credentials
  • Portfolio assessment
  • Credit-by-examination

This CPL definition does not include knowledge and skills already assessed and awarded credit through formal education at regionally accredited in-state and out-of-state institutions.

CPL can be awarded as units toward electives, LACCD general education areas, and CSU general education areas. It can also be awarded as course equivalency. The UC only accepts course equivalency by credit-by- exam.

There are no fees for CPL and there is no limit to the total units that may be earned via CPL. However, such units do not count toward residency, full-time status, or financial aid status. Consult your counselor to find out if you are eligible for CPL.

Also refer to LACCD Board Policy BP 4235 and Administrative Procedure AP 4235.

Cristina Castelo Rodriguez, CPL Coordinator @email

 

Quick Links

Determination of Eligibility for CPL
  • Student seeking Credit by Exam must be in good standing at the college.
  • Student must submit, prior to CPL transcription, official test scores for processing of CPL for standardized exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, and/or DLPT. Unoffical copies may be used for CPL education planning purposes
  • Student is not currently enrolled int he course for which CPL may be granted.
  • The student has not received credit on their academic record(s) for an equivalent course.

Resource AP 4235 v. 8/15/2024

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Limitations for CPL
  • Credit acquired by CPL may not be applicable to meeting load requirements for programs such as Selective Service deferment, veterans' benefits, CalWORKS, EOPS and other special programs, or Social Security benefits.
  • Credit acquired by CPL shall not be counted in determining residency.
  • Credit awarded through CPL may not be used in determining financial aid eligibility as required by law. Any credits awarded through CPL will be counted toward maximum count under the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Resource AP 4235 v. 8/15/2024

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Fees for CPL
  • Fees shall not be charged for students seeking course credit using Credit for Prior Learning. (See BP 5030 Fees.)

Resource AP 4235 v. 8/15/2024

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Petition for CPL Credit

AP, IB and CLEP Exams

AP, IB and CLEP do not require a Credit for Prior Learning Petition. See the AP, IB and CLEP sections (link to each one) for more information on credit awarded for these exams.

Industry Credentials

Student Created Portfolio

Credit by Exam Procedures

1.  Students must review and meet the eligibility requirements. There is no fee for Credit by Examination.

2.  If all eligibility requirements are met, the student must contact the Department Chair (link to excel spreadsheet) to discuss which courses they would like to take for Credit-By-Exam.

3.  Students will fill out the CPL Petition Section I: Course Equivalency of the CPL Petition and submit the petition to the Department Chair or Faculty Designee.

4.  The Department Chair or Faculty Designee will work with Admissions Office for a full review of the petition and ensure the eligibility requirements are met.

5.  If the eligibility requirements are met, the Department Chair or Faculty Designee will contact the student to make an appointment date(s) to conduct testing. More than one date may be required by some courses.

6.  The Department Chair or Faculty Designee will communicate the results of the exam(s) to the student.

7.  The student may accept or reject the grade(s). The student will complete Section 2: Course Equivalent Result Acceptance of the petition indicating if they accept or reject the result(s).

8.  The faculty member shall sign off on the petition with the recorded grade, if the grade has been accepted by the student, and submit it to the Admissions Office.

9.  Admissions and Records will document the result and notate the student’s transcript.

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Grading Policy for CPL
    • Grading shall be according to the regular grading system. (See AP 4230 Grading and Academic Record Symbols.)
    • Credit by Exam and portfolio Review shall be awarded equivalent course credit for a letter grade or the "Pass/No Pass" option if that option is ordinarily available for the course.
    • All other CPL types shall be awarded equivalent course credit with the Pass/No Pass Grading Option only.

Resource AP 4235 8/15/2024

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Transcribing CPL
  • The student's academic record shall be clearly annotated to reflect that credit was earned by CPL. (See AP 4230 Appendix A.)
    • The type of CPL shall be notated (e.g. Credit by Exam, Industry Certification, Joint Services Transcript, Portfolio Review, Advanced Placement).
    • For Credit by Exam and Portfolio Review, the credit and grade shall be posted to a specific term.

Resource AP 4235 8/15/2024

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Credit for Transfer to UC and CSU

 

University of California

California State University

AP

Yes

Yes

IB

 Yes

Yes

CLEP

Does not accept

Yes for CSU GE.

Evaluated after transfer for other credit

Industry Recognized Credentials

Does not accept

Evaluated after transfer

Military training/experience

Evaluated after transfer

Evaluated after transfer

Portfolio Assessment

Does not accept

Evaluated after transfer

Credit-By-Exam

Yes

Yes
College Board Exams

Advanced Placement

International Baccalaureate

College Level Examination Program

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CPL Course List

The lists below show which courses have already been approved for Credit for Prior Learning. If your course is not listed, please contact Cristina Castelo Rodriguez, CPL Coordinator (rodrigcc@piercecollege.edu) to explore the possibility of creating a Credit for Prior Learning agreement.

Military Credit (ACE)

Industry Credentials

Credit-by-Exam

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Students who hold industry credentials and certifications are graduates of service academies were trained for military occupations, or have work experience that can be demonstrated through an exam or portfolio review may qualify for credit for prior learning.

Each CPL eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods include:

  • Military Transcript
  • Credit by Exam
  • Portfolio Review
  • Industry Certification/Accreditation or License
  • AP, IB, CLEP

Check out our CPL Course List!

If you have prior learning experience that you feel would qualify for CPL, but you don’t see the discipline or course in our list, please email @email

We are still building our CPL database and will reach out to our faculty on your behalf to see if CPL is a good fit!

There is no cost for CPL.

Contact Cristina Castelo Rodriguez, CPL Coordinator rodrigcc@piercecollege.edu.

For students interested in CPL, contact Cristina Castelo Rodriguez, CPL Coordinator at rodrigcc@piercecollege.edu.

For faculty and staff interested in learning more about CPL and potential opportunities for students within your disciplines, contact Cristina Castelo Rodriguez, CPL Coordinator, at rodrigcc@piercecollege.edu.

Military students - follow the steps on the Veterans Services website to send your official military transcripts to Los Angeles Pierce College.

No. You just need to be registered at LA Pierce College in order to apply for Credit for Prior Learning.

The "registered" student, as defined for CPL, is a student that has been admitted to Los Angeles Pierce College, has a Los Angeles Pierce College student ID number and is eligible to enroll.

Go to the Petition for CPL Credit section and follow the instructions.