Credit for prior learning vs transfer credit: where our credit goes

Either, depending on your college. NCCRS says its evaluators recommend “the amount of credit that would be appropriate for a college to award as transfer credit”, and ACE calls credit for learning outside traditional college classes credit for prior learning. San José State considers NCCRS and ACE recommendations under its CPL policy, and “The relevant academic department has final authority on all credit awards”.

CAEL defines it as “a term for the various methods that colleges, universities, and other education/training providers use to evaluate and formally recognize learning that has occurred outside of the traditional academic environment.” “Other common terms for this process include prior learning assessment (PLA) and recognition of prior learning.”

Often not. Portland Community College: “Credit for prior learning cannot be used to establish residency”. Residency credits are the ones you take at the college itself, so ask your college how many it requires; see transfer limits vs residency.

Yes. NCCRS says some colleges award credit through an individualized portfolio assessment of prior learning, and “NCCRS credit recommendations may become part of such portfolios.”

As a transcript. ACE: “Colleges and universities use transcripts to offer transfer credit.” For a UPI Study course, UPI Study emails the official transcript to your college ($20), and ACE-recommended courses are also issued as a Credly badge.

Usually not at the colleges quoted here. The University of Maine at Augusta: “No CPL opportunity will impact a student’s GPA in any way”. UW Bothell: “Transfer grades are not calculated into the UW Bothell GPA.” A UPI Study pass is a score of 70 or more.

Some do, with conditions. Portland Community College: “PCC may award credit based on these ACE recommendations as well as approval from appropriate departments.” and “Only subject areas taught by PCC will be considered.” NCCRS notes that two-year colleges “usually have limited flexibility in awarding a large amount of transfer credit because many of their associate degree programs are very structured”.

Some do. NCCRS: such fees are charged “to defray the costs of evaluating students' prior learning”, and when there is one, “it is more likely an assessment fee rather than full tuition”. Ask your college before you send a transcript.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask the registrar whether it files NCCRS or ACE recommendations as prior learning or as transfer credit.