Credit for Prior Learning
Earn College Credit for Your Experience
Did you know you can put what you've learned in previous work or life experiences toward a degree or certificate?
Credit for prior learning allows you to finish college faster because you won't have to take classes in subjects you've already mastered outside the classroom.
This can translate into big cost and time savings for you. On average, students can save between $1,600 and $6,000—plus a lot of time and effort.
Ways to Earn Prior Learning Credit
Take a look at the different ways you can earn prior learning credit:
- Work and life experiences
- Community and volunteer extension courses
- Individual study and reading
- Civic, community and volunteer work
- Participation in informal courses and training sponsored by associations, business, government or industry
Take a Prior Learning Assessment
To receive credit for what you've already mastered, you will take a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). This assessment can be done through an exam or a portfolio to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter.
Prior credit is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and awarded for a particular course. The learning must:
- Be college-level
- Be applicable to your declared course of study
- Meet or exceed a "C" grade
Forms of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA):
AP (Advanced Placement)
Students can earn credit for taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams (administered by The College Board) and earning a score of 3, 4 or 5. The evaluation is based on a copy of the score report received from the issuing agency. Transfer credit is not awarded for Advanced Placement if the student has completed equivalent coursework. Download list of AP courses accepted at FRCC. For more information on earning AP credit, visit The College Board
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Students can earn credit for taking International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations and earning a score of 4 or better. The evaluation is based on a copy of the score report received from the issuing agency. Transfer credit is not awarded for IB examinations if the student has completed equivalent coursework. Download list of IB courses accepted at FRCC. For more information about earning credit for IB exams, visit International Baccalaureate Organization.
CLEP & DSST Exams
CLEP (the College-Level Examination Program) and DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized
Test) are credit-by-examination programs that allow you to earn credit for college
courses by taking and passing exams in various subject areas.
CLEP and DSST credits are accepted as part of a degree - with or without designation
- at participating colleges in Colorado, including FRCC. Credit is not awarded if
the student has completed equivalent coursework. We recommend talking with an advisor
prior to taking CLEP or DSST exams.
Military Training
For information about transferring military training credit, visit Veteran Services. For information about transferring any other type of credit, contact the advising department at your campus.
Excelsior University
FRCC Challenge Exams
Take a challenge exam developed and evaluated by college faculty. The exam is equivalent to the comprehensive exam that assesses all competencies/outcomes of the course. The format of the exam is at the discretion of the faculty and may be written, oral, demonstration or a combination of all three.
Portfolio Assessment
Submit a portfolio of your work to be evaluated by college faculty. Portfolios may include any of the other PLA Credit methods, individual skills demonstrations, and/or narratives documenting learning. Prior learning submitted in a portfolio must:
- Be demonstrable
- Include both theoretical and applied components
- Be at the college level
- Be equivalent to a specific college course or courses in the student’s program of study
Next Steps
- Apply to FRCC with a declared course of study.
- Contact either the appropriate program contact or speak with your Academic Advisor to start the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.
- Pay Prior Learning Assessment Fee.
- Challenge Exam: $45 per credit hour
- Portfolio: $65 per credit hour
- Proctor Fee (if applicable to your exam): $25