Credit for Prior Learning

Overview

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a methodology for evaluating students’ prior-learning in order to potentially award credit for learning experiences that are not in themselves credit-bearing. We offer credit for nationally recognized exams like CLEP, AB, IB, and DANTES as well as institutional exams and assessments. 

National Testing (AP, IB, CLEP, DANTES)

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Students who achieve a minimum score of three (3) on any of the advanced placement examinations will receive at least three general elective credits. In addition, some academic departments have approved granting specific credit. (NOTE: Course equivalencies are subject to change. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate.) Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of Credit Passing (CP).  For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above.” Departments may restrict the total number of credits earned by examination applicable toward their majors and minors. In no case may more than half the requirements for a major or minor be fulfilled by means of examination for credit. For current exams and credits granted see the UW Help site. For information on sending scores to UW-Eau Claire see Academic Testing.

International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB)

The University grants credit for a score of four (4) or higher on all Higher Level International Baccalaureate examinations. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of Credit Passing (CP).  For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above". For current equivalencies see the UW Help site or contact Academic Testing.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The University grants credit for certain examinations offered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). These examinations are administered nationwide. At UW-Eau Claire, they are administered by the Academic Testing Office. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of Credit Passing (CP).  For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above". For current equivalencies see the Academic Testing webpage.  CLEP exams fall into the following two categories:

CLEP General Examinations

The University awards credit for a satisfactory/passing score on the general examinations in Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Science/History, which will satisfy 3 to 6 credit hours in the appropriate General Education category.

General Examinations should be taken before the student has completed initial enrollment in the University. They must be taken by the time the student has completed 15 semester credits of college work and before enrollment in any courses in the area to be tested. Exceptions to this rule may be made for older students with unique backgrounds. Requests for these exceptions should be directed to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

CLEP Subject Examinations

The University accepts certain subject examinations.  Subject (course equivalent) examinations should be taken before a student has enrolled in the equivalent course or in any higher level course for which it is a prerequisite. With departmental permission, however, the student may take an examination for a course in which he/she is enrolled provided it is taken before the end of the first week of classes. Examinations for credit may not be used to repeat courses already attempted at or transferred to UW-Eau Claire.

DANTES

The University accepts certain DANTES examinations. A score calculated as a "B-Grade Equivalent" or better on the exam will be awarded credit.  Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of Credit Passing (CP).  For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above.”  Course equivalent examinations should be taken before a student has enrolled in the equivalent course or in any higher level course for which it is a prerequisite. Examinations for credit may not be used to repeat courses already attempted at or transferred to UW-Eau Claire.  For current equivalencies see the Academic Testing webpage.

Institutional Exams and Assessments

Policy

  1. Ordinarily, a limit of 24 credits can be earned via portfolio, challenge exam, or other internal institutional assessment at UWEC/UWEC-BC. Exceptions must be approved by appropriate department Chairs and college Deans. Credits earned through prior learning assessment (PLA) do not count toward residency requirements.
  2. Students must be actively enrolled in a degree program at UWEC/UWEC-BC to obtain credits through PLA.
  3. Fees charged to students should be based on the service provided through the work of assessment, not the credits awarded. Typically, this should be about 10-20% of the cost of tuition. At UWEC students will be charged a $75 administrative fee for each course in which prior learning credit is sought (e.g. by department exam or portfolio).  Additionally, they will be charged an assessment fee of $50 per credit sought. This fee will be credited to the department assessing the prior learning in order to cover the cost of evaluation. Students will pay the fee when they know the department will evaluate the prior learning. These fees are non-refundable and paid regardless of whether the credits are awarded or not.
  4. Departments may elect to waive the assessment fee (for example, if there is little to no assessment work involved).
  5. If the department(s) agree to assess the portfolio/other internal institutional assessment, it should be assessed by an instructor familiar with the course outcomes. Students will submit a separate application for each course to be assessed.
  6. If credits are awarded, they will be posted on the student’s transcript and appear above transferred coursework, per system policy. Credit will be identified with the matching UWEC course or as elective credit, whichever is most appropriate for the learning demonstrated.

Process and other notes: 

  1. Departments/programs will have the option of participating in Prior Learning Assessment. They may determine that some courses can be met through PLA and others cannot.
  2. Students completing non-credit courses through UWEC Continuing Education (CE) may also be able to convert their learning to course credits. This may be through the department assessment method, or through an established “pathway” between CE and specific academic programs.
  3. Students who wish to demonstrate that their learning experience should be considered for PLA will work with their ARCC advisor to identify the course(s) for which they can demonstrate meeting the learning outcomes. This will be formalized in an e-form.
  4. The e-form will move to the relevant academic department(s) to determine if PLA is appropriate.
  5. If PLA is appropriate, the student will prepare a portfolio or other discipline-specific documentation of their prior learning (as defined by the department) and submit it to the appropriate department along with the PLA e-form.  Students submit the relevant fees at the same time as they submit the portfolio.
  6. Students may enroll in a 1credit asynchronous online class, which will guide them in the process of portfolio creation as one means of demonstrating prior learning. This course has yet to be created.
  7. The instructor will assess the students’ documentation of prior learning and determine appropriate credit to award (if any). The instructor will complete the e-form which will then notify the registrar for transcription (or determine that the request has been denied).

CPL Course Table

Some CPL courses that have been pre-approved by the department are listed. This is not a comprehensive list of options. A department may allow a student to submit a CPL assessment for any course in the catalog. If a student has questions about approved CPL courses, they should contact the chairperson of the department that offers the course.

Written Exam
MUSI 141Theory Written I3
MATH 20Intermediate Algebra4
Oral and Written Assessments
SPAN 102Beginning Spanish II4
Portfolio Assessment
PHYS 291Special Topics1-3