Credit for Prior Learning

The College provides its students with opportunities to demonstrate competence at the college level from learning gained through learning experiences outside of a college or university credit-bearing course. The College shall follow Minnesota State Board Policy 3.35 in evaluating and awarding Credit for Prior Learning.​

Part 1. CPL External Assessment

External assessment consists of methods and processes at the College that could result in credit for prior learning achieved and assessed through a nationally recognized third-party assessment agency or organization, regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution, or noncredit instruction. Students demonstrate a level of proficiency that is recognized through curriculum, instruction, program, or a standardized exam. CPL external assessment types may include, but are not limited to, AP, IB, CLEP, and other national standardized assessments, world languages seals and certificates, industry recognized credentials, licenses, and certifications, and noncredit instruction in programs such as registered apprenticeships, continuing education, and customized training. The College shall award college level credit for CPL External Assessments as follows:

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Course credits for achievement of scores of three or higher on AP exams. The same number of credits will be awarded for scores three, four, and five. For courses that are sequential in nature (ex. Math), more credit may be awarded for a score of four or five when it represents greater mastery of the material.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Six course credits for a score of four or higher on each Higher Level IB examination and two course credits for a score of four or higher on each Standard Level IB examination for students who attain an IB diploma.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Individual Exams: Three or more course credits for a score of four or higher on each individual Higher Level IB Exam and two or more credits for a score of four or higher on each Individual Standard Level IB Exams.
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exams: Course credit for students who earn a score of 50 or higher on CLEP examinations, with the exception of Level 2 foreign-language examinations, for which a minimum score of 60 for German language, 59 for French language, and 63 for Spanish language is required. These scores conform to the recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE) and comply with Minn. Stat. § 120B.131 pertaining to eligible high school students.
• World Language Seals and Certifications:
  • World Language Proficiency Certificate: Two semesters of course credit per language
  • Bilingual or Multilingual Gold Seal: Three semesters of course credit per language
  • Bilingual or Multilingual Platinum Seal: Four semesters of course credit per language
  • Continuing Education; Customized Training; Industry Recognized Credentials, Licenses and Certifications; Registered Apprenticeship Programs, and other National Standardized Exams:

             Course credit as determined by teaching faculty for students who successfully complete and can demonstrate college-level learning.

Part 2. Awarding CPL Credit – External Assessment

Faculty shall evaluate an instrument, examination, curriculum, program, credential, license, or certification and determine a credit award based on learning outcomes comparable to college level learning outcomes. Once a credit award has been determined, students who provide documentation that they meet the CPL external assessment requirements shall be awarded credit based on documented results, not on the basis of participation alone. Credit shall be awarded in the form of a course- equivalency. Credits awarded for prior learning may fulfill general, technical, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and/or elective courses.

Part 3. Residency Credit for CPL – External Assessment

Credit shall be awarded for CPL external assessments in a manner consistent with the residency and graduation requirements in Board Policy 3.36 and System Procedure 3.36.1 Academic Programs. Credit awarded through CPL external assessment does not apply toward residency credit requirements.

Part 4. Recording of CPL Credit – External Assessment

Credit awarded for CPL external assessment shall be recorded as transfer credit on the official student transcript. The source of the credit award and the course equivalency will be designated on the official student transcript.

Part 5. CPL Credit Limit – External Assessment

The total number of credits students may be awarded for CPL external assessments shall not be limited.

Part 6: Tuition and Fees for CPL – External Assessment

The College shall not charge students tuition for credit awarded for external assessments and shall not charge students fees for external documentation processing services.

​MN Statute 120B.131

Part 1. CPL Internal Assessment

Internal assessment consists of methods and processes used by faculty members to assess students’ demonstrated learning and/or competence. Such assessments determine, course-equivalency, and application to degree requirements or electives. The College may award college level credit using the following CPL Internal

Assessments:

• Credit by Exam: Credit awarded through assessment based on an examination developed by faculty.
• Prior Learning Portfolio Assessment: A method of documentation of college-level learning gained from learning experiences outside of the college or university credit-bearing course, in which a student assembles materials demonstrating evidence of learning outcomes into a portfolio. Faculty assess the portfolio materials as evidence of learning to determine whether and how much credit will be awarded.

Part 2. Awarding CPL Credit – Internal Assessment

CPL internal assessments of student learning outcomes and competence must be conducted by faculty with related subject-area expertise. Faculty evaluate student learning and determine a credit award based on learning outcomes comparable to college level learning outcomes. Faculty may assess prior learning in a single-subject process, or a process that reviews multiple subjects in one documentation and assessment process.

​Credit may be awarded in the form of a course- equivalency. Credits awarded for prior learning may fulfill general, technical, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and/or elective courses.

Part 3. Residency Credit for CPL – Internal Assessment

Credit shall be awarded for CPL internal assessments in a manner consistent with the residency and graduation requirements in Board Policy 3.36 and System Procedure 3.36.1 Academic Programs. Credit awarded through CPL internal assessment applies toward College residency credit requirements.

Part 4. Recording of CPL Credit – Internal Assessment

Credit awarded for CPL internal assessment shall be designated as a course on the official student transcript. The source of the credit award and the course equivalency (when applicable) shall be designated on the official student transcript.​

Part 5. CPL Credit Limit – Internal Assessment

The total number of credits students may be awarded for CPL internal assessments shall not be limited.

Part 6: Tuition and Fees for CPL – Internal Assessment

The College charges a fee for CPL internal assessment. The fee charged is related to the number of credits the student is seeking to have awarded through assessment. Students seeking CPL internal assessment for sequenced courses, will be required to begin in the lowest level course in a sequence. Example: Students wishing to receive credit for ASLS 1411 American Sign Language 1 and ASLS 1412 American Sign Language 2, will be required to assess for ASLS 1411, before assessing for ASLS 1412. The fee charged is independent of the results of the assessment and non-refundable.​

​Board Policy 3.36

System Procedure 3.36.1

Part 1. CPL for Military Courses and Military Occupations

The College recognizes and awards credit for courses and occupations that were part of military training or service and that meet the standards of ACE or equivalent standards for awarding academic credit. When awarding credit, consideration will be given to all aspects of the training, course, or occupation, and will not be limited solely to the physical fitness or activity components.

Part 2. Awarding CPL Credit – Military Courses and Military Occupations

College faculty will evaluate a military course or military occupation and determine credit award and level. Once a determination has been made, students who provide documentation that they meet the military course or occupation requirements shall be awarded credit in the form of a course equivalency.

Credits awarded for prior learning may fulfill general, technical, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and/or elective courses.​

Part 3. Residency Credit for CPL – Military Courses and Military Occupations

Credit shall be awarded for CPL external assessments in a manner consistent with the residency and graduation requirements in Board Policy 3.36 and System Procedure 3.36.1 Academic Programs. Credit awarded for military courses and military occupations does not apply toward residency credit requirements.

Part 4. Recording of CPL Credit – Military Courses and Military Occupations

Credit awarded for military courses and military occupations shall be recorded as transfer credit on the official student transcript. The source of the credit award and the course equivalency will be designated on the official student transcript.​

Part 5. CPL Credit Limit – Military Courses and Military Occupations

The total number of credits students may be awarded for military courses and military occupations shall not be limited.

Part 6: Tuition and Fees for CPL – Military Courses and Military Occupations

The College shall not charge students tuition for credit awarded for military courses or military occupations and shall not charge fees for assessment or evaluation services.

​Board Policy 3.36 

System Procedure 3.36.1