Skip to Content

Nevada State Horizontal Gold and Black Logo

Credit for Prior Learning

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Office of the Provost
  4. Credit for Prior Learning

What is Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)?

 

Students in a classroomAt Nevada State, we may be able to award you credit for the work you have completed elsewhere, even if it wasn’t in a traditional college setting. Generally, we use “Credit for Prior Learning” (or CPL) to signify all the ways that you can earn credit without taking traditional college classes. CPL includes:

  1. Standardized exams, like AP and CLEP exams;
  2. Credit by exam, where you take a faculty-designed exam;
  3. Receiving credit for other training, such as courses you took from your employer or training you received in the military.

This page can guide you through the process of receiving credit in any of these areas. However, it is also important to read through the latest version of the Nevada State University Catalog for official practices. To find information on credit for prior learning, search for the phrase “Non-traditional credit.”

Standardized Exams

The full list of standardized exams is available in the catalog. Generally, students take one of the standardized exams and receive a score, which is then equivalent to a specific class. For example, if you take the AP 2D-Art & Design course and receive a 4, Nevada State can award you credit for ART 107. If you have taken a standardized exam, make sure you share the results of that exam in your application materials.

Credit by Exam

You may be able to get credit for a class by completing a comprehensive examination that demonstrates your mastery of the course’s outcomes. Guidelines for credit by internal examination are published in the Nevada State University Catalog. 

Not all classes have this option. Contact the course instructor if you have experience in a topic and believe you could pass a comprehensive exam. If credit by exams is an option for you, keep in mind that a fee is required and that you cannot repeat the exam. For all the formal requirements regarding credit by exam, visit the current catalog and then search for “credit by exam.”

Military training

Student in military uniformIf you served in the military, there may be ways that Nevada State can recognize the training you received and award you credit. When applying for Nevada State, submit your Joint Services Transcript (JST) so the Office of the Registrar can review it.

We’ve already linked some military courses to Nevada State course equivalents. You can find this list by visiting the current catalog and searching for “non-traditional credit.”

If you took classes with the Community College of the Air Force, your transcripts will be evaluated like any other college transcript. For all other military training, we’ll evaluate the JST forms.

Credit for military service

If you served more than 12 months on active duty in the United States Armed Forces and were honorably discharged, you can request four general elective credits. When you apply, make sure you include a copy of the Report of Separation (DD 214).