How States Can Scale Credit for Prior Learning

"Individuals' ability to earn college credits for prior learning-industry credentials, military training, work experience, high school coursework-tells college enrollees that their knowledge and skills have value. Credit for prior learning can also save them time and money on duplicative coursework. Research across 72 colleges found that students who earned CPL were more likely to complete their college credential than similar students who didn't get the credit."

"CPL opportunities and processes have typically been determined by individual colleges and academic departments. Lately, however, state agencies and higher education systems have begun playing a more prominent role in coordinating CPL efforts. That can ensure that credits are granted consistently across campuses and expand the opportunities available to students. These efforts can also standardize data collection on CPL across colleges, producing clearer evidence on who receives CPL and their academic and employment outcomes."

"We interviewed leaders in 10 states who were overseeing CPL for a state or higher education system. Based on these interviews, we identified four areas where states and systems should focus efforts to coordinate CPL. Establish CPL policies and centralized processes. States and systems often start by establishing basic requirements and policies for CPL opportunities across all public colleges."

"Some states have found that policies become dated and need to be refreshed every five to 10 years. State policies often provide examples of assessments that colleges should accept as evidence of prior learning and award credit for, such as Advanced Placement exams that are administered for high school coursework. However, state policies need not (and typically do not) itemize every possible CPL opportunity; instead, colleges have some leeway to determine which assessments will be used to offer CPL. An ideal state policy should also address areas, such as credit transfer and student fees, where cross"

Credit for prior learning (CPL) allows students to earn college credits based on prior learning such as industry credentials, military training, work experience, and high school coursework. CPL signals that knowledge and skills have value and can reduce time and money spent on duplicative coursework. Research across 72 colleges found that students who earned CPL were more likely to complete their college credential than similar students who did not receive credit. CPL opportunities and processes have often been set by individual colleges and departments, but state agencies and higher education systems are increasingly coordinating CPL. Coordination can improve consistency across campuses, expand access, and standardize data collection to clarify who receives CPL and their academic and employment outcomes. Leaders in 10 states identified four coordination focus areas, including establishing CPL policies and centralized processes.

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