Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) can provide a range of options for many non-traditional students from recognition of military and workforce training to national examinations. Students who can demonstrate college-level knowledge and competencies gained from experiences outside post-secondary education can often earn academic credit.
Types of CPL offered
- Credit for ACT/SAT scores
- Advanced Placement (AP) national exams
- International Baccalaureate (IB) national exams
- CLEP national exams
- DANTES DDST exams
- Military ACE credit recommendation services
- Departmental challenge exams
- Departmental-specific retroactive credit
- Institutionally-evaluated training for credit
- Project Lead the Way (PLTW) exams
CPL can be used for
CPL can be used for undergraduate credit only as long as the course in which the credit has been given meets a requirement for that program. They can possibly meet general education, major, minor requirements, certificate programs and elective credits.
Departments have varying policies as to any CPL (credit by exam, retroactive credit, etc.) that will be deemed equivalent to their courses. Once the equivalency is determined and posted to your record, it will be acceptable in any department/program in which that course meets a degree requirement.
CPL credit from other institutions
CPL awarded by all accredited institutions of higher education is evaluated in the same manner as regularly graded coursework from these institutions. The credit awarded is adjusted to the CPL policies of Wichita State University. Every attempt is made to ensure that credit for prior learning applies to both your degree program and university requirements for graduation. However, in no case may a transfer student receive more credit than the credit available to students at WSU.
In order to receive CPL credit at WSU, you must be admitted and enrolled before credit will be posted to your WSU transcript. Credit by Examination is designated by TCRE. CPL credit appears on the WSU transcript as transfer work and is specified as Credit by Exam, Retroactive Credit, etc. It is considered transfer work because it is credit for learning that did not occur through enrollment in a WSU course.
CPL credits will appear on your transcript as soon as paperwork is received, validated and posted to the academic record by the Registrar’s Office which normally takes approximately two weeks but may take longer if it is during high volume periods.
Maximum limits
There is no overall cap on CPL. Students must meet all requirements for graduation which include: 45 hours of upper division credit; 60 hours from a 4-year school; the last 24/30 or 50/60 credit hours must be taken at Wichita State University. These policies may add some default limits to CPL.
Costs and/or fees for CPL
Some types of CPL awarded at WSU carry fees, others do not. There is no cost for posting of credit by exam awarded based on PLTW, AP, CLEP, IB, ACT/SAT, GED or DANTES. Departmental credit by exam costs are set by the awarding department based on the cost to administer and evaluate the exam. Specific costs are detailed in the comprehensive fee schedule each academic year. In addition to the departmental fee, a proctoring fee is assessed by Testing Services; this fee is also specified in the fee schedule. See www.wichita.edu/tuition for details.