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There are several ways for you to get credit for prior learning, whether that learning took place inside or beyond the classroom.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), also known as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), is an academic process that offers students the opportunity to earn credits for college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. The Brooklyn College Prior Learning Assessment program is administered through the Transfer Evaluations Office in collaboration with the faculty.
Brooklyn College recognizes that students may possess college-level knowledge gained through professional experience or other learning methods. You can demonstrate your existing knowledge in one of three ways: by taking external standardized exams from recognized testing organizations, by completing exams offered directly by Brooklyn College, or by submitting a portfolio of your work to the faculty in the relevant discipline at Brooklyn College.
The Transfer Evaluation Office takes care of matriculated undergraduate students only. Graduate students should contact Graduate Admissions for assistance with prior learning.
Credit for prior learning can be earned through standardized tests administered by nationally recognized testing organizations.
Get Exam Credit Information
Students must submit all scores directly to the Transfer Evaluations Office. Scores for each of these national recognized tests has been established.
Brooklyn College will grant credits for scores only within the acceptable parameters already determined by the college as equivalent to college level work. The following standardized tests are currently accepted at Brooklyn College:*
Course equivalencies for the standardized tests are determined by academic units’ evaluators of the departments that offer the course or field of study. Course equivalencies for credit by standard examination are listed on our webpage; equivalencies may be updated or modified throughout the year.
*Faculty may elect to grant elective credits for the acceptable examinations scores or may select to grant course work that will count toward the major/minor/college option or Pathway requirements. They also have the liberty to require having the student take a test to demonstrate learning outcome level, which will help them determine the awarding course credit based on standardized examinations and the additional international examination.
Fees: None.
Credit for prior learning can be awarded through examinations created and administered by academic units’ evaluator that offer the course. The examination is constructed to allow the student to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes of the course. Students should contact the academic unit to discuss which courses can be granted based on an exam.
Students may repeat an examination one time. No exam may be repeated before 30 business days have passed.
If the student has passed the exam within the parameters determined by the academic unit, the approval and its equivalencies must be communicated to the Transfer Evaluation Office for processing.
Fees: Free
Credit for prior learning can be awarded through a portfolio assessment process managed by an academic department at Brooklyn College.
Whether internal or external, prior learning assessment by portfolio assessment will follow a course-equivalency credit model. Students demonstrate college-level learning by submitting a portfolio consisting of an organized collection of evidence that demonstrates mastery of the learning outcomes of a specific course offered at Brooklyn College.
To submit a portfolio for assessment, students must contact the department offering the course and follow the schedule established by the department. Once the examination is completed, the department will notify the student of the results within 30 days. Notification will simply indicate whether credit will be awarded. The portfolio will be returned unmarked.
Courses eligible for credit by internal portfolio assessment are determined by the department that offers the course.
Students may submit a portfolio for assessment no more than two times for a given course. The second portfolio cannot be submitted within 30 business days of notification of the outcome of the initial submission.
All portfolio assessments will be completed by discipline-appropriate faculty trained in assessing portfolios for credit. Departments offering prior learning assessment by portfolio will establish rubrics to guide faculty assessment and scoring.
Once the department has concluded that a successful assessment of the portfolio has occurred and has determined an appropriate course equivalency, it will communicate with the Transfer Evaluations Office for processing.
Fees: Fees for portfolio assessments will be paid to Brooklyn College. Fees will be determined at the time of the approved portfolio assessment submission.
Brooklyn College will award college credits to individuals who earn certificates via non-collegiate learning opportunities. This provides an chance for students to receive academic recognition for their professional achievements and prior learning.
Examples include:
