CPL for Students

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Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for Students

What is CPL? Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a process that recognizes and evaluates your existing knowledge and skills, often gained outside a traditional classroom setting. This can include life experiences, work experience, military service, or other relevant activities. By demonstrating your proficiency, you can potentially earn college credit, reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) institutional assessments will be assessed a $40 per credit hour fee.

Industry Certifications

If you have earned industry certifications, these may qualify for course credit.

Institutional Credit

This involves taking a written and/or skills exam created by an ATU academic departments. A full list of commonly awarded prior learning credit can be found in the Arkansas Tech course catalog.

Portfolios

This involves the creation of a portfolio that effectively demonstrates your knowledge and skills to receive college credit. A portfolio may include work experience documentation such as a resume, sample work products, training certificates, etc.

How many credits can I earn with CPL?

For Undergraduate Students: No more than a total of 30 semester hours of correspondence, extension, military service, credit by examination, or credit for prior learning work may be applied as credit towards a degree.

For Graduate Students: The ATU Grad College permits participating graduate programs to awarded credit for prior learning not to exceed 25% of the coursework required for a graduate degree (e.g., 6 hours for a 30 or 33 credit hour program or 9 hours for a 36-credit hour program). No more than 25% of coursework can be earned through PLA and/or transfer hours. For military and former military students seeking to use advanced military training please refer to the Graduate Credit Earned through Advanced Military Training section of the catalog.

Is there a cost for CPL?

There is a $40 per credit hour cost for CPL.

Is Financial Aid available for CPL?

Financial Aid is not available for CPL costs.

Will earning CPL (Credit for Prior Learning) credits affect my Financial Aid or veteran's benefits?

Yes, CPL credits may affect your Financial Aid award or veteran's benefits. Be sure to meet with a Financial Aid advisor before pursing CPL credits to understand how they may impact your eligibility.

If I have ATU credit for a course, can I also have CPL credit for that course?

Students who have already earned a grade in a course may not earn duplicate credit through advanced credit or prior learning.

Is CPL credit included in my GPA?

Advanced credit and prior learning are not used to calculate a student's grade point average.

Will CPL help me meet scholarship eligibility requirements?

Advanced credit and prior learning are not used to calculate a student's grade point average, and therefore, cannot be used to retain scholarship awards.

How long does it take for the CPL evaluation process?

To ensure a timely CPL review, we recommend applying at least once semester before the course you are seeking credit begins. Please allow up to four months for the CPL evaluation process.

Will my CPL transfer?

CPL credits may not be directly transferable to other institutions. It is essential to inquire about specific credit equivalencies at your intended transfer institution to understand how your CPL credits will be recognized.

1. Indentify Relevant Experience

Review the course requirements for your degree plan and the course descriptions.
Determine which of your past experiences, such as work, military service, certifications, or professional experiences, align with the courses in your degree plan.

2. Complete the Application Process

Contact your advisor or appropriate department.
A department representative will help you identify which CPL assessment is appropriate and complete the application process
You will locate the "Credit for Prior Learning" card on OneTech and click to pay the CPL assessment $40 credit hour fee.

3. Assessment of Your Prior Learning

Schedule an appointment with your department representative.
Complete the CPL assessment.
Your CPL assessment will be reviewed by your department representative and submit the credit for approval to your transcript.

4. Upon departmental approval, you will receive notice of credits awarded and they will be available on your transcript and Degree Works audit.