Credit for Prior Learning by Examination

Prior learning eligible for graduate level academic credit based on examination must be:

• Aligned to the equivalent graduate-level course outcomes of a specific credit-bearing course currently taught in the graduate program at Southern.
• Well documented, thoroughly explained, and verifiable through evidence of examination.
• Based on experience that is of sufficient duration to acquire the level and amount of learning required by the graduate program.

CPL may be awarded following examination review by content area faculty initiated by and submitted through the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning (OWLL).

• A non-refundable examination fee of $250 will be charged per evaluation, regardless of the outcome. CPL examination fees are not eligible for payment with SCSU scholarship dollars. CPL examination fees are not covered by financial aid.
• CPL examinations are subject to SCSU’s Student Code of Conduct and are reviewed by faculty selected by the program’s graduate coordinator or department chairperson.
• The faculty member will evaluate the examination and recommend graduate credit for examinations that demonstrate learning equivalent to successfully completing the specified graduate-level course with a grade of "B" (3.0) or higher.
• Completion of an examination does not guarantee that credit will be awarded. When credit is not recommended, it will not appear on the student's transcript.
• If credit is recommended after examination, the student’s official transcript will display a grade of “EP” (pass by examination) for the course requested along with the number of credit hours earned. The course will be transcribed to the term in which the assessment was evaluated.

In addition to the criteria for eligibility, the following policies apply:

1. With approval of the graduate program coordinator, graduate students may apply up to 9 credits earned through prior learning examination into a program between 30-36 credits, or up to 25% of the total credits for longer programs. The combination of credit for prior learning and transfer credit cannot exceed this limit. Many graduate programs have more restrictive policies.
2. CPL can only be granted for a course if it meets a current and unmet requirement on the student’s degree evaluation.
3. If a student changes program, CPL awarded in a previous program of study is not guaranteed to apply toward the requirements of a new program. The new department may not accept an examination grade of 'EP' towards certain program requirements.
4. CPL received through examination by other institutions must be retaken through Southern’s examination process for consideration.