Credit for Prior Learning

Recommended By
: 
Academic Affairs
Approved
: 
Nathan Evans, Acting President
Issue Date
: 
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Current Issue Date
: 
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Effective Date
: 
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Contact Office
: 
Academic Affairs
Policy number
: 
2024-02
  1. Rationale
    In accordance with the provisions of CSU policy 9817841, EO 1036 Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), Sonoma State University shall apply toward admission eligibility and/or the degree, academic credit earned from (1) examinations, (2) learning, skills, and knowledge acquired through experience, (3) learning acquired outside formal higher education and/or (4) education, training and service provided by the Armed Forces of the United States. This document serves as the Sonoma State University policy on providing academic credit for prior learning. This policy elaborates on aspects of the CSU policy as specific to Sonoma State.
  2. Campus Oversight
    1. The Office of Admissions will maintain processes by which standardized examinations, including Advanced Placement (AP) Tests, International Baccalaureate (IB), and College Level Entrance Program (CLEP), are applied to admissions eligibility.
    2. The Registrar’s Office will maintain forms by which CPL options are made available and academic credit is approved, reported, and applied to student degrees. Form content will be developed and updated in consultation with campus partners including Academic Programs and the Educational Policies Committee (EPC).
    3. Academic Programs will collaborate with appropriate campus stakeholders to determine approval and application of CPL including the Office of the Registrar and appropriate department chairs and/or faculty governance committees.
    4. Records of CPL assessment and application will be retained by the Registrar’s Office for the purposes of assessing CPL standards and equity, for review by state and federal compliance officials.
    5. Processes and campus contacts for earning academic credit for prior learning shall be posted in the online catalog.
  3. Methods of Earning CPL Toward Degree
    1. Sonoma State will award credit toward degree for students who pass campus-originated challenge exams and/or standardized exams including College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) and exams publicized by the CSU Chancellor’s Office as appropriate for systemwide credit.
    2. 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.
    3. Credit for workforce training and industry-recognized credentials will be applied as required by CSU policy 9817841, EO 1036 Credit for Prior Learning and recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training.
    4. Credit for education, training, and service provided by the armed forces of the United States will be applied as required by CSU policy 9817841, EO 1036 Credit for Prior Learning and recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide.
  4. Acceptance and Application of CPL to Degrees
    1. Credits earned through CPL may be applicable as general education, major, or elective courses up to 25% of degree units.
    2. Before CPL will be assessed for credit toward the degree, undergraduate students shall complete 15 units “in residence” at Sonoma State; graduate students shall complete 3 units in residence at Sonoma State.
    3. CPL credit shall apply directly to an existing SSU course, set of courses, or specific degree requirement.
    4. CPL shall be applied to course(s) and/or requirements after faculty assessment of whether the learning meets the relevant course and/or program learning outcomes.
    5. 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).
    6. All subsequent policies and processes related to CPL must be congruent with CSU-wide policies and guidelines on application of transfer credit including credits articulated and transferred from Associate Degree for Transfer (ADTs), full or partial certification of CSU-GE Breadth and CSU-IGETC articulation.
  5. Limitations on Awarding CPL
    1. 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 or International Baccalaureate mechanisms, or
      • to fulfill residency requirements.
    2. Credits earned through CPL shall not apply to culminating experiences in master’s degree programs.
    3. May not be available if program accreditation or licensure requirements prohibit CPL.
    4. Credits may not be applied to the MA in Counseling program.
  6. Policy Review
    1. This policy, related processes, and student CPL applications will be reviewed by Academic Programs and the Educational Policies Committee (EPC) at minimum every two years (in the Fall of odd years) to ensure that the policy is effective and appropriate for equitable awarding of CPL.