Earning Credits for College-Level Knowledge Gained Outside the Classroom
Alverno College's Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program recognizes that experiential learning that takes place outside of the classroom can give students the knowledge required to earn
credits for some courses. Earning these credits allows students to save money and graduate sooner. Students must be enrolled at Alverno to seek credits for prior learning. Please read the
process to earn credits below.
Types of experiential learning include:
Work experience
Employer training programs
Non-credit courses
Volunteer or community service
Non-college courses or seminars
Earning Credits
Students do not earn credits based solely on their experiences. They have to demonstrate that their experiential learning has given them the college-level
knowledge to meet course requirements. Students demonstrate their knowledge by completing assessments designed by faculty members. These assessments typically require students to create
portfolios, write experiential essays, or complete a course assessment.
Here are testimonials from two students who earned credits based on their prior learning:
A student earned nine credits for prior learning - allowing her to graduate a semester earlier than she had expected. For her CPL assessment, she
demonstrated how her volunteer experiences working with voter engagement campaigns, mobilizing communities to vote, and creating communication plans met the
outcomes for three communications courses.
A student earned nine credits for prior learning by demonstrating how the college-level learning from her three years of operating a small
business met the outcomes for three management courses. Successfully completing her CPL assessment saved her more than $3,000.
Fees for Credit for Prior Learning
$75 for an experiential essay assessment or internal performance assessment
$150 per portfolio submitted (a portfolio includes documentation to support an experiential essay)
Process to Earn Credits
Determine Eligibility
Students enrolled at Alverno College identify courses for which they want to earn credits for prior learning.
Students submit Student Interest Form by clicking the button below.
CPL Coach in the Assessment and Outreach Center (AOC) contacts students to gather more information.
CPL Coach provides information about the students to faculty.
Faculty members determine if students are eligible to pursue credits for prior learning.
Complete CPL assessment
If students are eligible, faculty members create assessments the students must complete to demonstrate that their experiential knowledge - not
work experience - meets course outcomes. Students may be required to create portfolios, complete course assessments or write experiential essays.
CPL Coach reviews assessment criteria provided by faculty with students and provides resources as needed.
Students complete assessments at their own pace.
CPL Coach sends students' completed CPL assessments to faculty members for evaluation.
Evaluate CPL Submissions
Faculty members evaluate students’ submissions to determine if students' experiential knowledge meets course outcomes.
Evaluation usually takes about three weeks.
Students have one opportunity to make revisions requested by faculty members.
If students' submissions successfully demonstrate course outcomes, students receive credits for prior learning. Students can earn no more than 24
credits for prior learning.
CPL Coach sends faculty evaluation to students, the Registrar’s Office and Student Accounts.
Getting Started
Students interested in seeking credits based on their experiential knowledge should complete and submit the Student Interest Form by clicking the button below.
The form must include courses and detailed information about experiences that could meet course outcomes. The CPL Coach in the Assessment and Outreach Center will contact students after they
submit the form.
