Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Undergraduate Credit for Demonstrated Learning, Knowledge, or Skills Acquired Through Experience

Academic credit can be given by a program for documented learning, knowledge, and skills acquired through experience.  Academic credit can be awarded for a specific undergraduate major course, general education requirement, Seawolf Studies graduation requirement or elective course. Sonoma State’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy.

Undergraduate Conditions

Undergraduates must meet the following conditions before seeking academic credit for documented learning, knowledge, or skills acquired through prior learning.

  1. The undergraduate must be matriculated at SSU and have satisfactorily completed 15 units “in residence” at Sonoma State.
  2. CPL credit shall apply directly to an existing SSU course, set of courses, or specific degree requirement.
  3. Students should meet with their academic advisor to determine if their experiences may meet the course learning outcomes to be awarded academic course credit.
  4. Students shall be allowed to appeal decisions regarding credit for demonstrated learning, knowledge, or skills acquired through experience through existing campus grade appeal procedures and following Sonoma State's Grade Appeal Policy (2008-2).

Departments can choose appropriate assessment methodologies for experiential learning course credit. Credit for demonstrated learning, skills, and knowledge may be assessed by Sonoma State faculty using standard evaluation methods such as exams, portfolios, personal interviews, demonstrations, and/or other appropriate means of documentation of student learning. No instructor or department is obligated to offer experiential course credit.

The course credit assessment for demonstrating learning, knowledge, or skill acquired through experience must be administered during the first two weeks of the term and the results submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the fifth week of the term. Results will be posted for the subsequent term. Students cannot apply for and receive credit for prior learning in the same semester.

Undergraduate Limitation on Awarding CPL

Students may not receive Sonoma State CPL:

  • to meet admissions requirements
  • if the CPL would duplicate credit already earned,
  • if the requirement to be met is a prerequisite to degree requirements for which academic credit has already been granted,
  • when the student received a non-productive grade (e.g. D, F, W, WU, I) for the requirement in the previous semester,
  • if a prior attempt to receive CPL for the same requirement was unsuccessful,
  • when equivalent degree credit has already been awarded by regular coursework or some other processes,
  • beyond 25% of the total program units, excluding CPL earned through Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) mechanisms, or
  • to fulfill residency requirements.
  • Credits earned through CPL shall not apply to culminating experiences in master’s degree programs.
  • May not be available if program accreditation or licensure requirements prohibit CPL.

Credits earned through CPL may be applicable as general education, major, or elective courses up to 25% of degree units.

Departments may contact Academic Programs for further assistance on credit for demonstrated learning, knowledge, or skills acquired through experience.

Graduate Credit for Demonstrated Learning, Knowledge, or Skills Acquired Through Experience

Academic credit can be given by a program for documented learning, knowledge, and skills acquired through skills acquired through experience.  Academic credit may be awarded for a graduate course. Sonoma State’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy.

Graduate Conditions for CPL

Graduate students must meet the following conditions before seeking academic credit for documented learning, knowledge, or skills acquired through experience.

 

  1. The graduate students must be matriculated at SSU and have satisfactorily completed 3 units “in residence” towards their degree at Sonoma State.
  2. The graduate experiential learning experience must articulate to a specific course in the student’s graduate program.
  3. Students should meet with their graduate advisor to determine if their experiences may meet the course learning outcomes to be awarded academic credit.
  4. Students shall be allowed to appeal decisions regarding credit for demonstrated learning, knowledge, or skills acquired through experience through existing campus grade appeal procedures and following Sonoma State's Grade Appeal Policy (2008-2)

Credit for prior learning cannot exceed 25% of the units for the degree program.

Departments can choose appropriate assessment methodologies for experiential learning course credit. Credit for demonstrated learning, skills, and knowledge may be assessed by Sonoma State faculty using standard evaluation methods such as exams, portfolios, personal interviews, demonstrations, and/or other appropriate means of documentation of student learning. No instructor or department is obligated to offer experiential course credit.

Graduate Limitation on Awarding CPL

Students may not receive Sonoma State CPL:

  • to meet admissions requirements
  • if the CPL would duplicate credit already earned,
  • if the requirement to be met is a prerequisite to degree requirements for which academic credit has already been granted,
  • when the student received a non-productive grade (e.g. D, F, W, WU, I) for the requirement in the previous semester,
  • if a prior attempt to receive CPL for the same requirement was unsuccessful,
  • when equivalent degree credit has already been awarded by regular coursework or some other processes,
  • beyond 25% of the total program units, excluding CPL earned through Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) mechanisms, or
  • to fulfill residency requirements.
  • Credits earned through CPL shall not apply to culminating experiences in master’s degree programs.
  • May not be available if program accreditation or licensure requirements prohibit CPL.

How to Apply for Credit for Prior Learning

Students

Students petitioning for credit for prior learning may use the form listed below to initiate the process.  The form will be routed to the appropriate department for review.  Students may also contact the Chair directly for additional assistance.

Student Credit for Prior Learning

Faculty

Faculty will be forwarded a student-initiated petition attached to a Faculty Documentation for Credit for Prior Learning Evaluation Form by the Registrar’s Office. This form will allow you to document CPL awarded to the student.  If the student has contacted you directly, please email registrar@sonoma.edu to request a form. Should a faculty member be approached directly by a student, the faculty member can request the faculty Documentation for Credit for Prior Learning Evaluation Form.