Credit for Prior Learning

Earn credit for what you already know 

Your previous experience or credentials could count for credit at ÂÜÀòÉç. By earning credit for prior learning (CPL), you can save time and money!

I completed an exam.

How to receive credit: 

  1. Provide ÂÜÀòÉç with an official score report. These can be sent to: 

    ÂÜÀòÉç Admissions and Records
    5250 Shepherd Road
    P.O. Box 19256
    Springfield, IL 62794-9256

  2. ÂÜÀòÉç evaluates scores using the AP equivalency chart.

What you need: 

Official AP score report

How to receive credit: 

  1. Schedule a CLEP exam through the ÂÜÀòÉç Testing.

  2. Provide ÂÜÀòÉç with an official score report. These can be sent to:

    ÂÜÀòÉç Admissions and Records
    5250 Shepherd Road
    P.O. Box 19256
    Springfield, IL 62794-9256

What you need: 

Official CLEP Score Report 

Cost: 

  • The total cost to test is $112.
    • $97 is due to CLEP for the exam (paid to CLEP day of registration).
    • $15 is due to ÂÜÀòÉç for administration (cash, check/money order day of test).

How to receive credit: 

  1. Schedule a DSST exam through the ÂÜÀòÉç Testing.

  2. Provide ÂÜÀòÉç with an official score report. These can be sent to: 

    ÂÜÀòÉç Admissions and Records
    5250 Shepherd Road
    P.O. Box 19256
    Springfield, IL 62794-9256

What you need: 

Official DSST Score Report

I served in the military. 

How to receive credit: 

  1. Provide ÂÜÀòÉç with an official military transcript. These can be sent to: 

    ÂÜÀòÉç Admissions and Records
    5250 Shepherd Road
    P.O. Box 19256
    Springfield, IL 62794-9256

  2. ÂÜÀòÉç reviews training and coursework using ACE recommendations and institutional guidelines
  3. Important considerations: Military credit can reduce the number of courses required for your degree. If you are using VA education benefits, awarded credit may affect your academic plan and benefit usage. We encourage you to meet with Student Success Advisor to discuss how military credit applies to your program before finalizing your educational plan. 

What you need: 

Official Military transcripts. 

Cost: 

A $50 processing fee per course is required. 

I have certifications or licenses. 

How to receive credit: 

  1. Check the listing of .
  2. Contact the department dean or associate dean  (Search Majors & Careers) to find the contact information for your program of interest. Email or call the appropriate contact about program specific qualifications.

  3. If approved, submit a Petition for Proficiency to: 

    ÂÜÀòÉç Admissions and Records
    5250 Shepherd Road
    P.O. Box 19256
    Springfield, IL 62794-9256

What you need:

Copy of official license, certification, or registry. 

Cost: 

A $50 processing fee per course is required. 

I already know the course material.

ÂÜÀòÉç Proficiency Exams 

How to receive credit: 

  1. Check the listing of accepted by ÂÜÀòÉç.
  2. Schedule an exam through the ÂÜÀòÉç Testing.
  3. The completed exam will be sent to the faculty member to be graded. 

What you need: 

Completed Proficiency Form 

Cost: 

$20 exam fee and $50 per course

I completed workplace or non-credit training that may qualify for college credit.

If you don’t see what you need, email the director of nontraditional programs or submit a request.

I have earned the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy.

How to receive credit:

  1. Submit a final high school transcript verifying receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy in the qualifying language. Request course credit for the Seal of Biliteracy from the Office of Admissions. 
  2. Requests must be submitted within 3 academic years after the student's high school graduation date. 

What you need: 

  • High school transcript verifying receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy. 
  • Complete the Request Form for College Credit Based on the Illinois State seal of Biliteracy. 

 

Frequently asked questions

Credit for Prior Learning can help save time and money, but it may affect transferability, financial aid, degree planning and residency requirements. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor before pursuing CPL to ensure awarded credit aligns with their educational goals.

Maybe. ÂÜÀòÉç advises students planning to transfer to check with the receiving institution before relying on CPL credit. Colleges and universities have different policies for accepting AP, CLEP, military, proficiency and other forms of prior learning credit.

CPL can indirectly affect financial aid eligibility. Financial aid is based on federal and institutional requirements for enrollment status, satisfactory academic progress and maximum attempted credit hours. Some forms of prior learning credit count toward academic record and program completion requirements. Financial aid regulations also consider attempted and accepted credits when determining eligibility limits. Students should consult ÂÜÀòÉç Financial Aid before deciding whether to accept a significant amount of prior learning credit.

Credit for prior learning may reduce the number of courses needed to complete a degree, but it does not automatically eliminate residency requirements. Residency requirements refer to the minimum number of credit hours that must be completed directly through the institution to earn a degree or certificate. 

ÂÜÀòÉç requires students seeking an associate degree to complete a minimum of 20 semester hours at the college. Students pursuing a certificate must complete all required courses through ÂÜÀòÉç.

Yes. ÂÜÀòÉç limits credit earned through examination — including AP, CLEP and other approved exams — to a maximum of 30 semester credit hours. Additional transfer, military or other evaluated credits may be subject to separate institutional policies and degree requirements.

No. Credit awarded through AP, CLEP, proficiency exams and similar methods is not included in a student's grade point average. The credit may count toward graduation requirements when applicable, but it does not carry quality points for GPA calculations.

No. Students generally cannot receive duplicate credit for the same learning. If a student has already earned credit for a course through enrollment, the student cannot receive AP, CLEP or proficiency credit for the equivalent course. Likewise, AP and CLEP credit cannot be used under .

Depending on the CPL method, evaluations may be conducted by: 

  • Faculty subject matter experts
  • Academic departments
  • Testing personnel
  • Records and Admissions staff
  • External organizations that provide nationally recognized credit recommendations, such as the American Council on Education

Review the CPL options for information about specific costs.