Credit for Prior Learning
Receive college credit for skills learned on the job
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment may receive CPL for eligible courses, as approved by faculty.
Authorized assessments may include the evaluation of approved external standardized examinations, military service/training, the evaluation of industry recognized credentials, student-created portfolios, and credit by examination. Students should meet with an academic counselor for specific information regarding CPL and the petition process (as outlined in RCCD AP 2235).
Students who have served in the Marines, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force or Navy, and completion of basic training will be awarded credit for HES-1 (3 units), KIN-A81A (1 unit), and KIN-A81B (1 unit). This fulfills the Self Development requirements for RCCD general education and the CSU transfer.
Review of additional coursework has been approved and, upon request and faculty approval, may also be reviewed.
- Computer Information Systems and Information Technology Certifications
- CompTIA
- Emergency Medical Technician Licenses
- Verified California EMT License number
- Verified National Registry
- Firefighter Academies
- Peace Officer (POST) Academies
- Corrections and Correctional Officer Academies
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit for Prior Learning, or CPL, is credit awarded for skills and knowledge gained outside of a traditional classroom. Many MVC students come arrive at college with years of life, work, and military experience. You can save time and money as you pursue your degree by earning credit for prior learning.
To begin the CPL process, you should first learn as much as possible about the different CPL methods and which might apply to you. Then, meet with an academic counselor to initiate the review process.
Each CPL eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods include:
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Military Transcript
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Credit by Exam
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Portfolio Review
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Industry Certification/Accreditation or License
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AP, IB, CLEP
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Work-Based Learning
A maximum of 45 units may be granted in total from one or more of the following: CLEP, military training, AP, IB, or Credit for Extra Institutional Learning, which may include student-created portfolios, industry credentials and experience, to be determined by faculty in the district-wide discipline.
- Locate a list of course articulations and courses approved for CPL on the College Source website. College Source details accepted course equivalencies for regionally accreditated institutions outside of California, non-public California institutions, and the American Council on Education. Choose your former institution to locate course equivalencies, or for approved military courses/occupations, choose the "American Council on Education."
- For current course articulations from and to the University of California or California State University systems, leverage ASSIST.
If you have prior learning experience that you feel would qualify for CPL, but you don't see the discipline or course on College Source or on ASSIST, email mvcevaluations@mvc.edu. The MVC Evaluations team will reach out to faculty on your behalf to see if CPL is a good fit.
