Credit for Prior Learning

What is Credit for Prior Learning?

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)is a practical and cost-effective way for students to be awarded course credit for learning they experienced on the job or in other non-college settings. Students’ knowledge and skills might be gained and validated through experiences such as:

Military Service and Training
On the job training in a specific industry
Apprenticeship work outside of a college classroom
Skills developed through volunteering with community or nonprofit organizations
And many more....

What do students say about Credit for Prior Learning?

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL): Guadalupe Menera, Graduate Palomar College (one minute)

What are the ways I can earn credit for my prior learning?

	Students can petition for CPL credit based on the following assessment methods:
Prior Military Experience	A student submits their Joint Services Transcript to be evaluated by faculty and the Veterans Services office. More information for earning credit for military experiences are explained in the SWC Student Veteran & Military Handbook or contact the Veterans Resource Center for support
Credit by Examination	A student completes a comprehensive examination created and assessed by SWC faculty.
External Examination (AP/IB/CLEP)	A student requests credit for a course based on their exam score after submitting scores to the Admissions Office. Your test scores must be mailed from the College Board directly to Southwestern College, Admissions. Contact the College Board at: (888) 225- for AP scores OR (800) 257-9558 for CLEP scores OR visit the College Board Website.
Portfolio Assessment	A student submits a collection of documents or other required works (drawings, paintings, letters of reference, documents created at a workplace, etc.) that faculty agree demonstrate their ability to perform the skills they would be able to perform if they had taken a course. Portfolio requirements are determined by the faculty and students work directly with faculty to submit their portfolio for evaluation.
Industry Certification/ License	A student submits verification of a certificate or license earned on the job that SWC faculty have determined is equivalent to having completed a course.
High School / Adult School Articulation	A student enrolled in a high school or adult school that has an agreement with SWC may complete an articulated class at their school and receive credit for a Southwestern college class that has been determined to be equivalent. A student must pass an examination agreed upon by faculty at both institutions to earn credit for the course. Students and parents should know that university departments have the discretion to accept or deny credit to a student when credits are earned through high school / adult school articulation.

Credit for Prior Learning Frequently Asked Questions

Credits acquired by CPL are not applicable to meeting unit load requirements of Selective Service deferment, Veterans, or Social Security benefits. Also, credits acquired by CPL are not counted in determining the 12 semester hours of credit in residence required for an associate degree or to meet Cooperative Work Experience requirements.
You can use the SWC Credit for Prior Learning Student Petition request credit for your external exam scores (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program). Students should request their scores and transcripts be directly sent to the Admissions and Records Office by the College Board, 888-225-5427, or other agency.
Absolutely! In fact, CPL was designed with our current and former military students in mind. CPL honors the learning and experience our military students bring to the college based on an analysis of your Joint Services Transcript and the American Council on Education Military Guide. Be sure to discuss your decision with the Office of Veterans Services.
California regulations require that any course credit earned by credit for prior learning must be indicated that way on your transcript. If your petition for CPL for a course is approved, the course and units will appear on your transcript along with a notation indicating that the credit was earned by CPL and the assessment method used. For example, you might earn four units for ENGL C1000 by successfully completing a Credit By Examination process. All this information is included on your transcript.
If you would like to earn units for a course using CPL and to use that course to meet a prerequisite requirement in order to enroll into an advanced class in the same semester, you can fill out a Requisite Challenge Petition form. This allows you to take the advanced class, while you are completing the CPL process – so you don’t have to delay your education. The Requisite Challenge Form is available in the Assessment Office. Students can email the Prerequisites Faculty Coordinator Ryan Lennon, jlennon@swccd.edu, or Joni Ontiveros, jontiveros@swccd.edu, for the appropriate forms and help in filing your challenge. Learn more about challenging a requisite on the SWC Prerequisites Website.
After you submit your petition and complete the requirements of the CPL process, you’ll be emailed and prompted to provide a final signature on your petition before the credit is added to your transcript. This is your opportunity to reject the credit if you decide it’s not right for you. You’ll have 14 days to accept or deny your credit after you receive the email requesting your final signature.

Get In Touch

Have more questions about credit for prior learning? Check out the CPL pages in the Southwestern College Catalog or contact any of the SWC employees below.