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CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may be earned for eligible courses approved by the District for students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment. Authorized assessments may include the evaluation of approved external standardized examinations, military service/training, examination from within the District, the evaluation of industry recognized credentials, and student-created portfolios. A maximum of 30 credits may be earned at Merced College from CPL.

Credits earned from CPL may not count toward a Merced College degree major. Students must meet with a counselor for specific information regarding CPL and the petition process. Details may be found by consulting Board Policy 4235 and Administrative Procedure 4235. For additional information or questions, please contact the CPL Coordinator at cpl@mccd.edu.

Students may demonstrate proficiency in a course eligible for CPL and receive college credit through the approved alternative methods for awarding credit listed below:

  • Achievement of a satisfactory score on an Advanced Placement (AP) examination

  • Achievement of a satisfactory score on a high-level International Baccalaureate (IB) examination

  • Achievement of a satisfactory score on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

  • Achievement of Military Training/Experience

  • Evaluation of Joint Service Transcripts (JST)

  • Satisfactory completion of an institutional examination, known as Internal Credit by Examination (ICE), approved annually by the District Academic Senate

  • Evaluation of industry recognized credential documentation

  • Evaluation of student-created portfolios

Determination of Eligibility for Credit for Prior Learning

  • The student must be in good standing and enrolled at Merced College

  • The course is listed in the current Merced College Catalog

  • The student is not currently enrolled in the course to be challenged

Credits acquired by CPL are not applicable to meeting of such unit load requirements as Selective Service deferment, Veterans, or Social Security benefits. Credits acquired by CPL shall not be counted in determining the 12 semester hours of credit in residence required for an Associate degree. Students will pay a CPL exam fee for Internal Credit by Exam or Evaluation of Industry Certification or Portfolio equal to the enrollment fee required if registering for the course they are challenging. Exams/reviews must be taken within the first six weeks of a regular semester and the first four weeks of summer semester. The student’s academic record shall be clearly annotated to reflect that credit was earned by assessment of prior learning.

Advanced Placement

Merced College participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program offered by the College Board. A score of 3, 4, or 5, is required, depending upon the specific exam. Not all AP examinations are identified for credit.

Review the AP Credit Chart to see how Merced College grants credit for AP exams.

International Baccalaureate

Merced College participates in the International Baccalaureate (IB) offered by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students may only receive credit towards the Merced College associate degree general education requirements. IB general education subject area applicability exists system-wide for students completing CSU GE Breadth or IGETC Breadth patterns.

Review the IB Credit Chart to see how Merced College grants credit for IB exams.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Merced College will award credit under the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in accordance with the standards adopted by the California State University System. Credit for Subject Matter exams is based on the scores recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). The number of units of credit granted varies.

Review the CLEP Credit Chart to see how Merced College grants credit for CLEP exams.

Military Training/Experience

After earning 12 units of credit in residence at Merced College, and at their request, military veterans will be awarded up to 15 units of credit for military training and experience. These units will be recorded on the student’s Merced College transcript. This award will be based upon the American Council of Education’s (ACE) recommendations found on the individual’s ACE Registry Transcript. The basis for awarding credit for military training and/or experience is as follows:

Basic Training:

Veterans may earn up to five credits from MC College Breadth Area E (Lifelong Understanding and Self- Development) comprised of three credits from E1 Integrated Organism and two credits from E2 Activity.

Other Military Training/Experience:

Merced College will grant a maximum of 10 units of general elective credit.

Community College of the Air Force transcripts will be evaluated in the same manner as described in Students Transferring from Another College and will not be subject to the above unit limitations and residency requirements.

Military Service/Joint Service Transcripts (JST)

Students interested in CPL using military transcript(s) shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate Area Dean or faculty designee.

  • The student shall complete the Credit for Prior Learning Petition Form

  • The student submits the appropriate military transcript to the Records Office

  • Area Dean or faculty designee review the ACE ID for assessment of prior learning

For additional information or questions, please contact the Veterans Resource Center at VRC@mccd.edu or (209) 384-6161.

Internal Credit by Examination (ICE)

Students interested in CPL using credit by exam shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate Area Dean or faculty designee. This option is available to students during the first six weeks of each regular semester and the first four weeks of a summer term.

  • Students must be registered in at least one course at Merced College during the semester they want to attempt Internal Credit by Examination, and they must be in “Good” academic standing (not on academic probation).

  • Students may be asked to supply a high school and/or other college transcript when applying for a Credit by Examination.

  • The student shall complete the Credit for Prior Learning Petition Form.

  • The student meets with the Area Dean or faculty designee to receive further instructions for credit by exam.

  • Credit by Examination is not allowed for courses previously taken in an institution of higher education and for which any grade other than a “W” was received.

  • Credit by Examination is not allowed for courses that are considered pre-collegiate.

  • Although the University of California and the California State University systems accept, with certain limitations, appropriate credits obtained by examination. There is no guarantee by Merced College that other institutions will do so.

The number and type of courses available for Internal Credit by Examination at Merced College may be limited and are identified annually by the faculty.

Review the ICE Course List to see which courses Merced College grants credit for ICE.

Industry Recognized Credentials

Students interested in CPL using industry recognized credential(s) shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate Area Dean or faculty designee.

  • The student shall complete the Credit for Prior Learning Petition Form

  • The student submits the required industry recognized credential documents through the Credit for Prior Learning Petition Form to be reviewed by the Area Dean or faculty designee for assessment of prior learning

Review the Industry Recognized Course List to see which courses Merced College grants credit for Industry Recognized Credentials.

Student-Created Portfolio Assessment

Students interested in CPL using a student-created portfolio shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate Area Dean or faculty designee.

A department approved portfolio assessment rubric for the course is on file

  • The student shall complete the Credit for Prior Learning Petition Form

  • The student meets with the Area Dean or faculty designee to receive further instructions for student-created portfolio assessment

  • The student submits all portfolio documents to the Area Dean or faculty designee for assessment of prior learning

The following courses may be available for CPL via Portfolio:

  • CLDV-01

  • CLDV-30

  • CLDV-30L