Credit for Prior Learning
You Belong Here! Get College Credit For What You Already Know!
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) lets you turn what you already know into college credit. Have job experience, military training, or a professional certificate? You may not need to start from scratch. With CPL, you can show what you’ve learned through things like exams, portfolios, or transcripts and earn credit toward your degree. It’s a smart way to save time, save money, and move faster toward your goals.
Credit for prior learning may be earned for eligible courses approved by the faculty for students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment. 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.
Get Started With CPL
To apply for CPL and learn which courses have already been approved for CPL please visit the Santa Ana College CPL Request Portal
Each CPL-eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods include:
- Military Transcript
- Industry Certification/Accreditation or License
- Validated Work-Based Learning
- Portfolio Review
- AP, IB, CLEP
- Credit by Exam
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The student must be currently enrolled at Santa Ana College
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If not, click here to get started.
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The student must be in good standing at Santa Ana College.
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The course is listed in the current Santa Ana College Catalog.
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The student is not currently enrolled in the course to be challenged.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CPL can save you time and money on your educational path.
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CPL can jumpstart your path to completing degrees and certificates.
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CPL honors the knowledge and skills you obtained outside of a college classroom.
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Achievement of a satisfactory score on an Advanced Placement (AP) examination.
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Achievement of a satisfactory score on a high-level International Baccalaureate (IB) examination.
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Achievement of a satisfactory score on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
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Evaluation of Joint Service Transcripts (JST) Achievement of an examination administered by other agencies approved by the District.
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Evaluation of industry-recognized credential documentation.
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Evaluation of student-created portfolios.
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Satisfactory completion of an institutional examination, known as Credit by Examination, administered by the college in lieu of completion of an active course listed in the current college catalog.
Any credit awarded from other higher education institutions cannot be counted as CPL.
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Meet degree requirements.
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Waive prerequisites.
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Replace a required course.
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Substitute an optional course within the major.
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CPL can be used for transfer as general credit, general education, and/or major requirements depending on transfer institution policy. Please note the CSU and UC Policies on CPL.
- The student must be currently enrolled at Santa Ana College
- If not, click here to get started.
- The student must be in good standing at Santa Ana College.
- The course is listed in the current Santa Ana College Catalog.
- The student is not currently enrolled in the course to be challenged, trafficking through education and prevention efforts.
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
Students can accept, decline, or appeal decisions related to CPL as stated in Administrative Procedure 4230 (Grading and Academic Record Symbols) and Administrative Procedure 4231 (Grade Changes).
The student's academic record is clearly annotated to indicate any credit granted for prior learning.