Get Credit For What You Know

Credit for Prior Learning

Get Credit for What You Know.

At UNO’s Division of Continuing Studies, we help you explore how previous coursework, military training, exams, certifications, and other college-level learning may apply to your degree. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), also called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), will help you move forward without starting over.

Your Degree May Be Closer Than You Think

Your path may not have been linear. That does not mean you have to over.

Maybe you attended college before. Maybe you completed training through work. Maybe you served in the military, earned certifications, or studied at more than one school. That learning has value.

At DCS, we work with students to turn previous effort into forward momentum. Credit for Prior Learning helps you explore what may count so you can take your next step with confidence.

What Is Credit for Prior Learning?

Credit for Prior Learning is the process of reviewing college-level learning you completed before starting your current degree program or outside a traditional college classroom.

That learning may come from:

previous college coursework
AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST exams
military training
certifications
employer or agency training
apprenticeship or workforce learning
evaluated non-college coursework
international college or university coursework

You Bring Valuable Learning With You

You have already built knowledge and skills through coursework, training, service, certifications, and other experiences.

For many students, that learning can help create a clearer path toward degree completion. You can save time and money by not repeating coursework for learning you’ve already aquired. We help you explore how previous learning may fit into your next step and where it may support your progress.

Ways Your Previous Learning May Count

Previous College Coursework

If you have taken classes at another college or university, those credits may transfer into your UNO degree program. A transcript evaluation can help you understand what may apply. Your prior institution may be regionally accredited, nationally accredited, or a non-U.S. tertiary college or university.

Exam Credit

You may also have college credit from standardized exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST. Depending on your program, exam credit may help you move forward.

Certifications, Training, and Evaluated Non-College Learning

College-level learning can happen in many places. Learning gained through professional training, certifications, apprenticeships, and other approved pathways may be considered as part of your review.

Military Training and Experience

Military training and education may also apply to your degree. If you have military transcripts or service-related learning, we can help you explore how that learning fits into your degree plan.

International Coursework

If you completed coursework outside the United States, that learning can count. A transcript evaluation can help determine how international coursework may apply.

Helpful Credit Pathways and Resources

ACE and NCCRS

Some training, certifications, and non-college learning experiences are reviewed through established organizations such as ACE and NCCRS.

ACE, the American Council on Education, reviews learning experiences and publishes credit recommendations through the ACE National Guide. NCCRS, the National College Credit Recommendation Service, also reviews noncollegiate learning and publishes credit recommendations through its directory.

CLEP and DSST

AP, IP, CLEP and DSST are exam-based pathways that may help you earn credit for knowledge you already have.

If you already have exam credit, or if you are exploring whether an exam could help you move forward, an advisor will include the evaluation in your degree plan.

Modern States

Modern States offers free online courses designed to help learners prepare for CLEP exams.

Military Learning Records

If you plan to use military learning in your review, your records may come from different sources depending on your branch or training history.

Army, Navy, and Marine servicemembers’ learning is document on the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Some students may also need records from the Community College of the Air Force or other military education sources, such as the Defense Language Institute (DLI).

Your Learning Story Is Unique

No two students bring the same background, experiences, or goals.

That is why CPL is reviewed individually. We take a closer look at the learning you bring and explore how it connects to your degree program.

Who Can Use Credit for Prior Learning?

Credit for Prior Learning options are available to students in Division of Continuing Studies degree programs.

Because how prior learning applies can vary by program, it is helpful to talk with an advisor early in the process.

Meet with an Advisor

What We Review

Depending on your background, the documents you provide may include:

college transcripts
exam scores
military training and education transcripts
transcripts from other institutions
records documenting approved non-college learning

Submitting these materials can help create a fuller picture of the learning you bring with you. Official transcripts are required to post to your degree program. However, unofficial copies can be utilized for an unofficial transcript evaluation. There is no cost for evaluation.

How to Get Started

Start with a conversation.

When you talk with a DCS academic advisor, you can get help identifying which records are needed, which kinds of previous learning may be worth reviewing, and how that learning may connect to your degree and goals.

Step 1: Request a Free Evaluation

A transcript evaluation is one of the best ways to begin. It can help you understand how previous coursework and other qualifying learning may apply to your degree.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Depending on your background, that may include transcripts, exam scores, military records, or documentation related to other approved learning.

Step 3: Talk With a DCS Academic Advisor

Because every student’s path is different, an advisor can help you understand what may apply and what your next step should be.

Contact a DCS Academic Advisor

You Have Already Put in the Work. Let’s See What May Count.

Whether your previous learning came from college classes, military service, exams, certifications, training, or multiple institutions, we can help you explore what may apply and what comes next.

FAQ: Credit for Prior Learning at UNO

Credit for Prior Learning is the process of evaluating college-level learning you gained before or outside traditional academic study and determining whether it can apply to your UNO degree in DCS.

Experience by itself does not automatically count. CPL is based on evidence of college-level learning, not simply time spent in a job or role.

Yes, it may. Military learning from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces may be evaluated for academic credit in DCS.

They may. Some certifications, employer training, apprenticeship learning, and other non-college programs can be considered through approved evaluation pathways.

It may help reduce repeated coursework and support a more efficient path to degree completion when qualifying prior learning applies to your program.

Your best next step is to talk with a DCS academic advisor, who can help review your learning and identify which options may apply to your degree.