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Credit for Prior Learning

Learning occurs throughout a person's life and work experiences. To recognize college-level learning students achieve outside of formal higher education, SAU Tech relies on the following policies and procedures to ensure that Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), also known as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), practices are consistent with academic integrity and responsive to lifelong learners.

The term “credit for prior learning” (CPL) refers to all of the processes SAU Tech uses to review, evaluate, and award academic credit based upon evidence of learning in accordance with academic and administrative standards. CPL is awarded for demonstrated proficiency of college-level learning. This entails systematic evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and competencies students have obtained as a result of their learning experiences outside of higher education.

Eligibility

In order to apply for CPL, the student must be an active SAU Tech certificate or degree-seeking student. 

CPL Award

  1.  Various assessment methods exist to measure the student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in learning outcomes associated with existing courses.
  2. CPL will only be awarded for courses that are directly applicable to program requirements in the student’s declared certificate or degree as specified in college publications and is consistent with other institutional policies.
  3. A student must be registered for coursework at the time of the awarding of CPL. Exceptions may be granted by the Vice Chancellor for Academics.
  4. CPL will be evaluated only at the request of the student.
  5. Students will still be required to meet the minimum academic residency requirement for any certificate or degree. Residency requirements are the minimum number of credit hours that a student must earn from SAU Tech to graduate. CPL credits earned through challenge exams, credit by examination and portfolio assessment are applied toward academic residency requirements; however, CPL credits earned via any other method are considered transfer credit and do not count toward academic residency requirements. CPL may not be used to fulfill more than half of the required credits for a degree or certificate.

Financial Aid

Financial aid does not cover the costs of CPL. However, financial aid and veterans’ benefits may be affected by credit hours awarded through CPL methods. Credit hours awarded through CPL methods count toward the total earned hours that a student has acquired and the 150% rule. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor to determine how credits earned through CPL may affect them prior to requesting any CPL.

Assessment Methods

  1. Standardized Exams: Credit will be awarded for passing scores on some national for-credit examination programs, such as College Board Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
  2. Credit by Examination: Institutionally-prepared exams developed for specific SAU Tech courses to validate that a student’s prior learning meets the learning outcomes of the course being challenged.
  3. Challenge Examination: Institutionally-prepared exams developed for specific SAU Tech courses to validate that a student’s prior learning meets the learning outcomes of the course being challenged.
  4. Aviation Maintenance Technology Program: SAU Tech has developed guidelines for the awarding of credit for prior learning, based upon FAA certification.
  5. Arkansas Fire Training Academy: AFTA is a division of SAU Tech.  Students who complete training through the Academy are able to earn credit toward credential completion.
  6. Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy: Students who have completed the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) are eligible to earn 28 hours for the training toward the completion of the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis.
  7. Portfolio Assessment: Portfolios consist of documentation and corresponding narrative submitted for credit that comprehensively, demonstrates proficiency of the learning outcomes for a particular course. Individual portfolios are assessed using current SAU Tech standards. If an approved standardized or challenge exam exists, SAU Tech may choose not to offer a CPL portfolio option.

Application of CPL Award

  1.  Credits awarded through CPL will be applied to program requirements in the following ways:
  2. CPL credits are applied to degree or program requirements in the same manner as other credits earned at SAU Tech. Please refer to CPL Award section of this document for further information.
  3. SAU Tech awards credit for prior learning only for courses or programs for which there are active SAU Tech catalog listings.
  4. SAU Tech will assign the appropriate SAU Tech course title(s) and number(s) to the credit(s) awarded. Neutral grades of CR (credit), for challenge exams or portfolios, or TR (transfer credit), for all other assessment methods, will be utilized and will not affect a student’s GPA. Traditional letter grades are not assigned for CPL awards.
  5. Portfolio assessment credit will not be recorded on a transcript until the GS 1021 Portfolio Development course and the semester in which portfolio credit was requested has been completed. (Exception for Aviation: Credits are escrowed and placed on the transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)
  6. Earned credit is transcribed onto the student’s record within 10 business days of the award.

Transferability

CPL is granted for the purpose of satisfying SAU Tech graduation requirements. These credits may not be accepted at other colleges and universities. Students are responsible for contacting the institution to which they intend to transfer to determine that institution’s policy on accepting CPL awarded at SAU Tech.

SAU Tech reserves the right to evaluate, apply, or deny CPL awarded at another institution. CPL, or PLA (prior learning assessment), awarded at another institution is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students should contact his/her academic advisor.

Credit by Examination. SAU Tech offers credit by examination for some courses. Students may petition the department involved and the Vice Chancellor for Academics to challenge courses at any time. Once the petition is approved, the student will pay the appropriate fee, and then the department will make arrangements with the student for administering the examination. For written tests, a non-refundable fee of $15 per credit hour must be paid to the Business Office before the test is administered. If the examination includes a practical portion, in addition to the written portion, an extra fee will be charged based upon the length of the practical examination. (Up to 15 credit hours) Instructor completes Credit by Examination Results form and submits to Registrar.

Challenge Examinations. Challenge examinations may be taken in some courses. The student registers for the course and takes the examination during the first four weeks of class. The grade and credit will appear on the transcript. If the student fails the examination, he/she may continue in the course throughout the semester. Instructors consult with the Vice Chancellor for Academics or directors on challenge exams. (Up to 15 credits) Instructor completes the Challenge Examination Results form and submts to the Registrar.

Internet Courses. Internet courses offered by SAU Tech are treated in the same manner as courses offered on campus. Requirements for faculty, support services, and instruction follow state guidelines.

CLEP. Subject examinations from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board are given by appointment at SAU Tech. Students may call the Testing Center at 1.870.574.4486 to schedule CLEP Tests.

SAU Tech awards up to 15 hours of college credit based on College Board recommended scores on CLEP tests. Credit is awarded after a student has completed 12 hours of course work at SAU Tech. Hours awarded from CLEP tests are not counted as part of the 15-hour residency requirement.

Credit for prior learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a portfolio-based assessment of non-college or experience-based learning that has been attained outside the sponsorship of accredited postsecondary educational institutions. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may include learning acquired from documented Work Experience/Training; Professional Organization Training; Adult Education Courses; Seminars and Workshops; In-Service Training/Instruction; Community Extension Courses; Military Experience; and Professional Certifications.

  1. Policies Regarding Credit for Prior Learning
    1. CPL is not awarded for experience but for college-level equivalent learning that entails knowledge, skills, and competencies that students have obtained as a result of prior learning experiences.
    2. CPL must be comparable to SAU Tech courses and must relate to the student’s educational objective(s). Academic credit will be awarded only for those courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements of the student’s declared certificate or degree program as outlined in college publications.
    3. A student must be registered for coursework at the time of the awarding of CPL. (Exceptions may be granted by the Vice Chancellor for Academics.)
    4. Credit for prior learning will not be recorded on a transcript until GS 1021 Portfolio Development and the semester in which CPL was requested has been completed. Letter grades will not be posted on the student transcript for any of the prior learning methods. Only the course title, course number, and semester hours awarded will be posted on student transcripts. (Exception for aviation; credits are escrowed and placed on transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)
    5. Students who receive CPL and plan on transferring should contact the receiving institution to determine the acceptability of transferring CPL from SAU Tech. SAU Tech does not guarantee transfer of CPL.
    6. CPL may not be used to fulfill more than half of the required credits for a degree or certificate.
    7. Subsequent requests for CPL must follow the same policies as noted above, including enrollment and completion of GS 1021 Portfolio Development.
    8. Prior learning will be evaluated only at the request of the student.
    9. Portfolio Development will add an additional credit hour requirement to a student’s degree plan each time it is taken for CPL.
  2. Steps for Pursuing Credit for Prior Learning
    1. Using the college catalog and degree requirements, determine the courses for which you feel you have relevant, equivalent college-level experience.
    2. Meet with the academic advisor for the appropriate degree program to request CPL. The academic advisor will make an initial review of the possible granting of CPL through the portfolio process.
    3. If initial review indicates possible granting of CPL, the academic advisor will recommend to the Vice Chancellor for Academics that the student enroll in GS 1021 Portfolio Development. Upon the Vice Chancellor for Academics approval, the student will register for GS 1021 Portfolio Development. During the portfolio course the student will establish accompanying documentation and written evidence supporting the student’s claim of prior learning. If deemed necessary, the advisor may request that appropriate faculty interview or conduct evaluations (including exams) when additional documentation is needed to substantiate the request. Documentation of prior learning may include certificates of workshop/seminar completion, letters from supervisors, and any other verifiable information sources that substantiate claims made for CPL. The academic advisor will appraise the prior learning and determine the number of credits to be granted for a specific course equivalency.
    4. At the conclusion of the semester in which CPL was requested and Portfolio Development completed, the academic advisor will complete a Course Substitution form noting the CPL and equivalent SAU Tech course credit awarded. The form will be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academics for approval. The Portfolio Development documentation and approved Course Substitution form will be forwarded to the Registrar to be placed in the student’s permanent academic file. Credit for prior learning will be recorded on the student transcript and noted on the official degree plan. (Exception for aviation; credits are escrowed and placed on transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)