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Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. This CPL definition does not include knowledge and skills already assessed and awarded credit through formal education at regionally accredited in-state and out-of-state institutions.

Students may petition for Credit for Prior Learning if they meet the following:

• Are currently enrolled in the semester in which credit is to be earned
• Are in Good Academic Standing (Not on Warning, Probation, or Dismissal)
• Are not currently enrolled in the course petitioning for
• Are not currently enrolled in nor received credit for a more advanced course in the same subject (may be waived by dept.)

Award for credit may be made for general education, program, or elective coursework. Methods for awarding credit for prior learning are as follows:

• Faculty assessment of a portfolio or documentation of college level knowledge or skills and/or college-level training not acquired at an institution of higher learning, such as industry recognized credentials or training.
• Credit through satisfactory completion of examination.
• Achievement of a satisfactory score on the Advanced Placement examination.
• Achievement of a satisfactory score on a high-level International Baccalaureate (IB) examination.
• Achievement of a satisfactory score on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
• Evaluation of a Joint Service Transcripts (More information follows).

Procedures for Credit by Assessment or Examination

1. Application and Administration
   The petition must be approved by the appropriate discipline faculty, the Division Dean, and the Vice President of Academic Services. The assessment or examination will be scheduled and administered by the relevant faculty member.

   For more information, visit the CPL webpage:  https://laspositascollege.edu/cpl/index.php

2. Awarding of Credit
   Upon completion of the assessment or examination, the administering instructor will verify the course and number of units to be received and will assign an appropriate grade. Students shall be offered a credit/ no-credit option if that option is normally available for the course. A student must achieve a “C” or better to be awarded credit.
3. Limitations
   Coursework credit awarded through assessment or examination may not be counted as part of the 12-unit residency requirement necessary for graduation from LPC. The amount of credit that may be earned and counted toward a certificate or degree is no more than three-quarters of the units needed for completion. Credit for Prior Learning is transferable to California State University campuses. Students must pay the $46/ unit for credit-by-exams and portfolios, but not for industry-recognized training or JST.
4. Notations
   The student's academic record will indicate that credit on microfilm after a five-year retention period. Grade changes shall not be made after that time.

Assessment of Documentation, Portfolio, or Credentials

Students who have achieved elsewhere an equivalent knowledge, understanding and experience that is required by regular college courses may receive units of credit based on successful completion of a comprehensive assessment of documentation, credentials, or an assessment designed and approved by LPC discipline faculty. A student may petition  for courses available for prior learning assessment publicly listed on the LPC website.

Credit-by-Examination (Individual Student Application)

Students who have achieved elsewhere an equivalent knowledge, understanding and experience to that required by regular college courses may receive units of credit based on successful completion of a comprehensive course exam approved by the College discipline faculty. Students may apply individually for Credit-by-Exam for any course in the catalog. In addition, Credit-by-Exam may also be used to provide credit for completion of certain coursework at the high school level, where deemed appropriate by a majority of faculty in the discipline. (See High School/ ROP/Adult School Articulation section in this catalog).

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

LPC grants academic credit for successful completion of examinations of the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program. Credit awarded based on passing AP scores of 3+ may be applied differently for the AA/AS degree and for transfer; therefore, students are advised to consult with a counselor for information on how AP scores will be applied based on their educational goals. Courses deemed equivalent to AP exams as determined by LPC faculty (see chart) may be used to clear pre-requisites as appropriate – see a counselor for details. Students may not receive duplicate credit for AP exams and equivalent courses taken at LPC.

The Advanced Placement Exams (AP) chart displays how credit is awarded for the following:

• Las Positas College AA/AS degree – Las Positas College AA/AS General Education pattern area and units, elective units, and course equivalency.
• CSU General Education-Breadth pattern area and units toward CSU transfer admission.
• IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) – GE pattern area for CSU and/or UC and units toward CSU and UC transfer admission.

In order to receive academic credit toward the AA/AS degree and/ or CSU GE Breadth/IGETC certification for AP exams, students must submit the official AP score report from the College Board to the Admissions and Records Office and request the score report to be scanned into their student records. Scanning requests may be adfnitiated by meeting with an academic counselor. In cases where the AP exams are not listed on the AP Chart or do not earn credit, students may petition the academic discipline to consider credit.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations

LPC grants academic credit for successful completion of examinations of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Credit awarded based on passing IB scores may be applied differently for the AA/AS degree and for transfer; therefore, students are advised to consult with a counselor for information on how their IB scores will be applied based on their educational goals. Students may not receive duplicate credit for IB exams and equivalent courses taken at LPC.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations chart displays how credit is awarded for the following:

• Las Positas College AA/AS degree – Las Positas College AA/AS General Education pattern area and units, and elective units.
• CSU General Education-Breadth pattern area and units toward CSU transfer admission.
• IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) – GE pattern area for CSU and/or UC and units toward CSU and UC transfer admission.

In order to receive academic credit toward the AA/AS degree and/ or CSU GE Breadth/IGETC certification for IB exams, students must submit the official IB score report to the Admissions and Records Office and request the score report to be scanned into their student records. The scanning request may be initiated by meeting with an academic counselor. In cases where the IB exams are not listed on the IB Chart or do not earn credit, students may petition the academic discipline for consideration of credit.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Las Positas College grants academic credit for successful completion of examinations of the College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit awarded based on passing CLEP scores may be applied differently for the AA/AS degree and for transfer; therefore, students are advised to consult with a counselor for information on how their CLEP scores will be applied based on their educational goals. Students may not receive duplicate credit for CLEP exams and the equivalent courses taken at the college.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) chart displays how credit is awarded for the following:

• Las Positas College AA/AS degree – Las Positas College AA/AS General Education pattern area and units, and elective units.
• CSU General Education-Breadth pattern area and units toward CSU transfer admission.

In order to receive academic credit toward the AA/AS degree and/or CSU GE Breadth certification for CLEP exams, students must submit the official CLEP score report from the College Board to Admissions and Records and request the score report to be scanned into their student records.Scanning requests may be initiated by meeting with an academic counselor. In cases where the CLEP exams are not listed on the CLEP Chart or do not earn credit, students may petition the academic discipline for consideration of credit.