Credit for Prior Learning

Learning is not only acquired in the classroom. Through your job, your volunteer work, and through non-credit training and workshops, you acquire far more skills and knowledge than you may realize. Chemeketa Community College's Credit for Prior Learning Program can help you decide if what you have learned outside the classroom can be applied toward a degree.

Imagine earning college credit for what you already know.

You may be one of the many únon-traditionalî adult learners who has acquired college-level learning through your job, on-the-job training, community or volunteer service, non-credit courses or workshops, individual study, homemaking, or travel.

If you have acquired learning outside of the classroom, Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may enable you to earn up to 24 credit hours. By demonstrating what you already know, you can:

Earn advanced standing in your program.
Shorten the time required to complete your degree.
Reduce the overall cost of your education.

The Program

CPL is offered in many of Chemeketa's professional-technical programs. Visit with the director of the program in which you plan to enroll or are enrolled to determine if Credit for Prior Learning will be accepted. The director will also be able to suggest which instructor is available to confer with you while you are building your CPL portfolio.

To determine if CPL is for you, contact Joel Martin in Counseling and Career Services at 503.399.6561 or e-mail: jemartin@chemeketa.edu to discuss CPL. Then if you believe CPL is a suitable way of earning credit, enroll in CPL120, Credit for Prior Learning Resume, a three-credit course, and you will:

Develop career and educational goals
Prepare a CPL portfolio of your experience and learning for evaluation
Identify college-level learning and document your learning

CPL at Chemeketa is a flexible process. You have up to six months to complete minimum requirements for a grade in CPL120, and an additional six months in which to complete your portfolio and submit it for evaluation.

Your portfolio is submitted to the program in which you are requesting credit. Faculty evaluators will verify your learning and make the final award of credit. Generally this process is completed during the term after you submit your portfolio.

Application

To apply CPL credit toward a degree, students must complete at least 30 credit hours of regular courses at Chemeketa. CPL120 will count as three of the 30 credits.

Cost

CPL120 is a three-credit tuition course, with some additional fees. For current costs, or for other information on Credit for Prior Learning, contact Counseling and Advising Services in Building 2, Salem Campus, or call 503.399.6561.

Participating Programs

Prior learning credits are also available in Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Technology (EMT), Criminal Justice and Apprenticeships, and are awarded by a review of professional training records. Contact the Fire Suppression and EMT program office at 503.399.5163, Criminal Justice program at 503.399.5110 or the Apprenticeship program at 503.399.6266 to explore this possibility.

Updated October 2006 by the College Advancement Department.