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Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± may grant course credit on the basis of proficiency acquired through experience other than formal education. Students passing one of these nationally recognized examinations or the equivalent shall be granted college credit. These options include:

  • Advanced Placement Exam (AP)
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • International Baccalaureate Credit (IB) 
  • DSST Examinations 
  • Challenge (Test Out) 
  • Military training or service that meets the standards of the American Council on Education (ACE)

Students looking for other Credit for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) opportunities may go to the website.

Here is more detailed information about ways students can earn credit for prior learning.

Advanced Placement Exam (AP)

is a program of the College Entrance Board through which a secondary student completes college-level courses in high schools that are designated as AP in high schools.  A student may earn college credits by demonstrating a specified level of performance on AP examinations.  The AP examinations, which are scored on a 5-point scale, can be taken by any student who feels prepared by independent study or other preparation as well as by students who complete AP courses.

  • The student must arrange for an official report of AP examination scores to be sent from The College Board to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± in order to receive credit.
  • A score of 3 or higher is required for credit to be granted.
  • There is no limit on the course credits granted based on AP examination scores.
  • Credits will be granted based according to Minnesota State Board Policy 3.15 Advanced Placement Credit, System Procedure 3.15.1.
  • Find AP course equivalencies (Download PDF).

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

is a testing program of The College Board designed to measure prior learning. A student may earn college credits by achieving a specified level of performance on a CLEP examination. 

  • The student must arrange for an official report of CLEP examination scores to be sent from The College Board to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± in order to receive credit.
  • A score of 50 or higher on CLEP examinations, with the exception of Level 2 foreign-language examinations, for which a minimum score of 60 for German language, 59 for French language, and 63 for Spanish language is required for credit granted.
  • There is no limit on the course credits granted based on CLEP examination scores.
  • Credits will be granted based according to Minnesota State Board Policy 3.33 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit, System Procedure 3.33.1.
  • Find CLEP course equivalencies (Download PDF).

International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations

is an internationally recognized program through which a secondary student completes a comprehensive curriculum of rigorous study and demonstrates performance on IB examinations. A student may present a full IB diploma or a certificate recognizing specific higher level or standard level examination scores.

  • The student must arrange for an official report of IB examination scores to be sent from IB to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± in order to receive credit.
  • A score of 4 or higher is required for credit granted on individual IB examinations.
  • There is no limit on the course credits granted based on AP examination scores.
  • Credits will be granted based according to Minnesota State Board Policy 3.16 International Baccalaureate Credit, System Procedure 3.16.1.
  • Find IB course equivalencies (Download PDF).

DSST Examinations

offers an extensive series of examinations available to anyone who is seeking college credit outside the traditional classroom in college subjects that are comparable to final or end-of-course examination in undergraduate courses.  

  • The student must arrange for an official report of DSST examination scores to be sent to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± in order to receive credit.
  • Scores will be granted based on type of examination completed.
  • There is no limit on the course credits granted based on DSST examination scores.
  • Find DSST course equivalencies (Download PDF).

Challenge exams and competency demonstrations (test out)

College course challenge exams and competency demonstration exams must be completed within the first five (5) days of a term. Students may not Test Out of a course that they have previously failed or from which they have withdrawn. Students shall have one (1) opportunity to complete and pass the examination. Credits earned through this method are not considered residency credits. A per-credit fee is assessed for these examinations. 

The following is a list of college course challenge and competency demonstration examinations that are given at the college (see department faculty for possible other opportunities):

  • ADMS 1417  Word Processing I
  • ADMS 2410  Keyboarding I
  • BUSN 1245  Business Computers
  • CHEM 0510  Fundamentals of Chemistry, 3 Credits
  • COMM 2518  College Speech
  • ENGL 2595  Special Topics in Writing
  • MATH 1015  Geometry 2 Credits
  • MATH 1025  Algebra, 2 credits
  • VLNR 1312  Introduction to Violin Playing

Military Training

Students with military training or service shall receive credit in accordance with Minnesota Statute 197.775, Subdivision 2, if the training or service course meets the standards of the American Council on Education ACE or the equivalent. Further information can be found at the .

  • The student must arrange for an official military transcript in order to receive credit.  
  • Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy:  Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans transcripts are available at .