CPL: General Information

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Definition and Types of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is the administrative awarding of academic credit for college-level learning experiences outside of NOVA.

Students may be awarded Credit for Prior Learning for the following credentials and experiences:

  1. Prior college coursework
  2. Nationally standardized exams (AP, IB, CLEP, etc.) and challenge exams (ABLE)
  3. Industry certifications
  4. Military training 
  5. Work/life experience

Visit the designated pages of this manual to learn about the steps to obtain CPL, credit breakdowns, and other important information relevant to each type.

Policies

NOVA follows SACSCOC Accreditation Principles and complies with VCCS Academic Policies when evaluating and awarding Credit for Prior Learning.

  1. To be eligible for a Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) review, students must be admitted to NOVA, select an academic program, and enroll in at least one credit course. They must also submit official documents and appropriate request forms. NOVA does not award credit based on another institution’s evaluations; all sources of credit will be evaluated based on NOVA’s policies and guidelines.
  2. Credit for Prior Learning is applicable only to NOVA’s curricular requirements; it may not be accepted as transfer credit by other institutions. Students should consult with their intended transfer institution for its acceptance policy of CPL.
  3. Total credits possible through all forms of Credit for Prior Learning must not exceeded 75% of a particular curriculum. The remaining 25% is a residency requirement to be completed at NOVA.
  4. All accepted credits for prior learning will be acknowledged and recorded on the student’s NOVA permanent record with the transferring agency identified. No unsuccessfully attempted credit for prior learning applications or examinations results will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. No grades, scores or grade points from an external transcript will be recorded on the student’s NOVA record.  
  5. The grade awarded for Credit for Prior Learning is "T" for college coursework, nationally standardized test scores, industry certifications, and military training. Students receive a grade of "P" for challenge exams (ABLE) and Credit for Work/Life Experience. Neither "T" nor "P" grade impacts a student's earned grade or GPA at NOVA because it has no quality points. 
  6. No Credit for Prior Learning will be awarded if it duplicates course credit earned at NOVA with a passing grade (“A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “P,” and “S”) or a grade of "X" (Audit). Students who, after receiving an F, U, or W grade in a course at NOVA, successfully demonstrate knowledge aligned to that course’s learning objectives through a credit for prior learning method approved by NOVA’s faculty may use the credit awarded for that course as a repeat of the course taken at NOVA. Prior grades with quality points will continue to be factored into the student’s cumulative GPA and the student will be ineligible to re-enroll into that course at NOVA for a grade improvement once the CPL has been officially recorded on their academic record.

Evaluation Staff 

Faculty who are subject matter experts determine all course equivalencies that are published in this manual and the Transfer Evaluation System (TES). The Credit for Prior Learning Committee makes recommendations to the Curriculum Committee and the Admin Council for acceptance of non-traditional learning experiences for credit. The Office of Academic Affairs provides oversight of the overall evaluation process to ensure academic integrity of CPL. 

The College Records Office (CRO), responsible for reviews of college transcripts, test scores, and industry certifications, and the Office of Military and Veteran Benefits, in charge of military transcript reviews, verify documents and forms they receive and award credits based on faculty's evaluations. The Office of Academic Affairs assists students seeking Credit for Work/Life Experience through portfolio development. 

Appeals 

Students who wish to request reconsideration of Credit for Prior Learning awarded to their record should review their transfer credit report with an academic advisor who will then contact the appropriate office for assistance. 

Credit for Prior Learning Committee 

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Committee, a subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee, reviews and recommends CPL proposals to the Curriculum Committee and the Admin Council for approval. It also hears requests for new or revised policies and procedures for Credit for Prior Learning and monitors the implementation of the policies and procedures to assure consistent application throughout the college.

The CPL Committee consists of 15 members:

  • Credit for Prior Learning Coordinator (Chair)
  • Associate Director of Curriculum and Innovative Education
  • Director of Military Outreach and Veteran Support Services
  • College Registrar
  • Chair of Registrars' Working Group (term-based)
  • 1 Academic Dean (term-based)
  • 1 Dean of Student Success (term-based)
  • 1 Counselor (term-based)
  • 1 Academic Advisor (term-based)
  • 5 Instructional Faculty (1 IET, 1 Health Sciences, 1 Skilled Trades, 2 General Education Disciplines) (term-based)
  • 1 Workforce Development Representative

The Chief Academic Officer appoints the term-based committee members, and the appointments are for two-year terms. Term-based members may renew their membership for unlimited times.

Proposals 

Faculty, staff, and students can submit CPL proposals for the followings reasons:

  • New CPL opportunity 
  • Update to a previously approved CPL proposal
  • Change to a CPL procedure

These proposals should be submitted to the CPL Coordinator at CPL@nvcc.edu. The CPL Coordinator forwards proposals to the CPL Committee. Proposals should include the essential information below:

  • The level of need for the CPL opportunity usually supported by labor market data.
  • Effectiveness towards the college’s mission
  • Responsible offices for implementation
  • Information on the period in which the credit is valid
  • Sample documentation students should submit to get the credit

Moreover, proposals for new CPL and updating existing CPL must include documentation showing how a course’s learning objectives are met through the non-traditional learning. Faculty and staff may email CPL@nvcc.edu to request a proposal template.

If the CPL Committee supports the proposal, the Committee Chair forwards the proposal to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and requests that the proposal be placed on the agenda for a subsequent Curriculum Committee meeting. CPL proposals supported by the Curriculum Committee are presented to the Administrative Council for final disposition. If approved, the CPL is published in the upcoming academic year, and College Records Office (CRO) is informed of the changes.