Earn College Credit for What You Already Know
Credit for Prior Learning - CPL
The College of Emerging and Integrative Studies understands the importance of college-level experience gained outside the traditional university setting through:
- Learning in the workplace
- Military service and training
- Training Programs
- Certifications and licenses
- Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Experience Can Benefit you Through University Credit
- CPL is the maximum of 24 elective credits that may be requested for college-level learning achieved through work or volunteer experience that (a) closely relates to the major; (b) equates with skills, knowledge, or perspectives currently taught in courses required for the major; and (c) involves analysis or reflection at the undergraduate level or higher. The earner must have at least five (5) years professional experience. *(Actual CPL credit varies based on YOUR past work and training)
- How can I earn credit?
Submit a portfolio
- Instructions for submitting a portfolio (Adobe PDF file)
- To be considered by the review committee, portfolios must be received by January 31st and August 31st.
Mail to: Attn: Director, CEIS Student Success Center, Southwest Hall, Room 146, Campus Box 5176, Cookeville, TN 38505-0001
Email scanned copy (preferred) to: CEIS@tntech.edu - Evaluation Rubric
- Redacted Sample Portfolio
- Note: Students cannot submit a portfolio during their final semester and cannot receive course match credit or emphasis/concentration area credit.
Prior Learning Assessment
- For Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Studies majors in the College of Emerging and Integrative Studies, students may request up to twelve hours of credit. The student must complete the request for prior learning form and submit their portfolio by either the January 31 or August 31 deadline. If approved by the faculty committee, the approved form will be forward to the Office of the Registrar for credit to be awarded.
- Request for Prior Learning Form
Report Previous Military Experience
- Preview the course-specific information
- Which degrees can I get CPL credit?
- Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor's in Professional Studies
- Bachelor's in Environmental and Sustainability Studies
- Bachelor's in Communication
On average, adult degree earners with 12 or more CPL credits saved 9 to 14 months.
Adult students who earned CPL saved $1,500 to $10,200 in tuition dollars.
Overall, adults who earn credit for prior learning are 17% more likely to graduate
than adults who do not. The CPL completion benefit is 25% for adults at community
colleges, 24% for Hispanic adults, 13% for Black adults, and 19% for Pell Grant recipients.
The CPL process of reflecting on past learning is often a positive experience that
improves adult students' confidence in themselves as learners, research shows.
Source: www.cael.org/lp/cpl-pla
Source: www.cael.org/lp/cpl-pla
For More Information
CEIS Student Success Center | CEIS@tntech.edu
