Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for Graduate Students
Credit for prior learning is a process that recognizes college-level knowledge and skills that are gained outside of the traditional classroom. It can also be referred to as Prior Learning Credit.
Description
Credits earned through prior learning assessment are different from credit that is transferred from another institution. CPL credits are usually only granted to meet credentialing or graduation requirements at the institution where they are earned. Prior learning credits are not eligible for financial aid and do not count toward full-time status.
Eligiblity
To qualify for CPL, students must be registered at UNI during the semester CPL is requested. CPL will only be recorded on your academic record after the student has satisfactorily completed 12 hours of credit at UNI or at least 1/3 of the graduate plan of studies.
How it Works
- Determine Eligibility: The student contacts the Graduate Studies office to check if they are eligible for credit.
- Request Syllabus: Graduate Studies will reach out to the relevant department to get the syllabus for the course(s) for which the student is requesting credit and then provide it to the student.
- Submit Documentation: The student submits their portfolio/documentation along with the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Graduate Evaluation Request Form to the appropriate department for review.
- Faculty Review: The program faculty reviews and evaluates the submitted portfolio/documentation.
- Notification of Outcome: The Graduate Studies office informs the student of the evaluation outcome. If awarded college-level credit through CPL, the credit will be noted on the official student transcript with a grade of CR (credit received). The CR grade is not included in computing the
student's GPA.
Guidelines for Portfolio Development
The guidelines below are designed to assist you in preparing a portfolio for review and evaluation of credit for prior learning. Preparing a well-organized, polished portfolio that reflects the learning outside the traditional classroom environment is important. Before you begin developing your portfolio, you should speak with the Graduate Studies office to determine eligibility. If it is decided that your experiences and prior knowledge merit further review, a copy of the syllabus will be requested for you.
Please make sure to tailor your portfolio to the specific course(s) that you are seeking credit for and demonstrate how the knowledge you have already gained aligns with the specific learning outcomes of the course(s).
For additional help with creating a portfolio, please reference the CPL Rubric.
Portfolio Format
I. Table of Contents
Number each page, list page contents on the Table of Contents page, and the page numbers that correspond to each content area. Follow the order of contents as indicated on the Table of Contents page.
II. Areas to be Evaluated
List the course(s) by title and course number for which you are applying for credit.
III. Resume/CV
Include a resume that highlights your work experiences/jobs and professional development activities, including any certifications or awards, training, micro-credentials, etc. List previous institutions and/or courses (credit or non-credit) that you attended/took with names, titles, and dates. If it is helpful to identify your experiences in narrative form, you may also include a cover letter to accompany the resume.
IV. Portfolio Artifacts
In this section, please provide any certificates, badges, or letters of recognition that demonstrate your accomplishments and skills.
V. Knowledge and Skills
Describe in detail how your knowledge and skills align with the learning outcomes of the course(s) you seek credit for. Make sure to use the syllabus to compare your prior learning with the course objectives. Whenever possible, try to use the same language in your portfolio to help highlight the alignment between your experiences and the course outcomes.
For example, if one of the learning outcomes is to demonstrate ethical reasoning and decision-making, then please show an artifact (e.g., certificate, credential, badge) that aligns with this outcome. Please explain how the artifact meets graduate-level expectations.
VI. Reflection on Learning
This section should include a detailed description of how your past or current experiences apply to the course(s) you are seeking credit for. Provide a narrative of how the knowledge and skills gained through your experiences meet the expectations and learning objectives of the course(s). For example, include how you acquired the knowledge and skills and how you use them in your work. This is your opportunity to explain to the academic department how you have achieved the learning outcomes expected of someone who would take the course(s).