System Procedure 3.35.1 Credit for Prior Learning - External Assessments

System Procedures
 Chapter 3 - Educational Policies

Access a PDF copy of this procedure

for Board Policy 3.35

Part 1. Purpose

To establish consistent practices and procedures among colleges and universities regarding credit for prior learning external assessments, evaluations, and the award of undergraduate and graduate credit to students admitted to a college or university.

Part 2. Authority

Minn. Stat. § 120B.022 Elective Standards requires the colleges and universities of Minnesota State to establish criteria to translate Minnesota world language certifications and seals into college credits based on the world language course equivalencies. Minn. Stat. § 120B.13 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs requires the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State to award college credit to high school students who receive a score of three or higher on an advanced placement examination, or a score of four or higher on the international baccalaureate program examination. Minn. Stat. § 120B.131 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) requires the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State to award college credit to high school students who receive a satisfactory score on a CLEP examination.

Part 3. Definitions

Admitted Student
Students having an active admission status of undergraduate regular, undergraduate transfer, undergraduate with previous degree, graduate certificate/licensure, graduate regular, postmasters regular or specialist at any Minnesota State college or university.

Advanced Placement (AP)
A program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities may use the examination scores to determine course equivalency or placement and award course credit to students.

American Council on Education (ACE)
A membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice.

American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendation
The ACE recommendation identifies and describes the course subject, the level of learning, and the number of credit hours, and most recently competencies and learning outcomes, based on a faculty led review of workforce training, military training or occupations, and other sources of learning outside the college classroom, such as national exams and certifications.

Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship-type programs
ACE evaluated and credit recommended apprenticeship-type programs modeled after registered apprenticeship programs. Typically, these programs are not approved by federal or state regulators.

Registered apprenticeship programs
A formal system of employee training that combines structured on-the-job training with related technical instruction. Upon successful completion, participants are fully competent in all aspects of an occupation, including knowledge, skill, and proficiency on the job. With apprenticeship training, there is a written contract between the apprentice and the sponsor, approved by and registered with the state of Minnesota that specifies the length of the training, school hours, an outline of the skills of the trade to be learned, and the wages the apprentice will receive.

College Board
A non-profit organization that prepares and administers standardized exams used by colleges and universities for student admissions, placement, and the award of credit for prior learning. The organization also helps students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations
CLEP examinations, prepared and administered by College Board, are designed to assess student knowledge of lower division college and university course material in specific subject areas.

Continuing education
Open-enrollment education and training opportunities offered by colleges, universities, or other education providers that are not for degree/program credit that enhance knowledge and/or teach new skills.

Credit for prior learning (CPL)
Academic credit awarded for demonstrated college- and university-level learning gained through learning experiences outside college or university credit-bearing courses and assessed by academically sound and rigorous methods and processes.

Credit for prior learning (CPL) - external assessments
Assessment methods and processes at the colleges or universities of Minnesota State that could result in credit for prior learning achieved and assessed through a nationally recognized third-party assessment agency or organization, regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution, or noncredit instruction. Students demonstrate a level of proficiency that is recognized through curriculum, instruction, program, or a standardized exam. CPL external assessment types may include, but are not limited to, AP, IB, CLEP, and other national standardized assessments; world languages seals and certificates; industry recognized credentials, licenses, and certifications; and noncredit instruction in programs such as registered apprenticeships, work-based training, continuing education, and customized training. For military training and occupations, see System Procedure 3.35.3 Military Training and Military Occupations.

Customized training
Specially designed noncredit curriculum and instruction tailored to meet the specific needs, goals, and interests of an employer/third party organization offered in a closed-enrollment, contracted service between an employer/third party and college or university.

Industry-recognized credentials, licenses, and certifications
Industry developed and endorsed assessments demonstrate a level of mastery of competencies.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
The International Baccalaureate offers the internationally recognized IB 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.

National standardized exams
Standardized proficiency examinations administered and scored by nationally recognized third-party assessment organizations. Examples include, but are not limited to: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL); Advanced Placement (AP) examinations; International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations; College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations; Cambridge International examinations; DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST); Excelsior College UExcel examinations; The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessments; New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP) examinations; and Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP).

Visiting student
A non-degree seeking student attending a Minnesota State college or university in visiting student status.

World Languages seals and certificates
Minnesota high school issued bilingual and multilingual certificates and seals that recognize high school students who demonstrate an advanced-low level or an intermediate high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

Part 4. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) - External Assessments
Colleges and universities shall offer admitted students the opportunity to demonstrate college-level learning through CPL external assessment options that include the components listed below. When special partnerships are present, colleges and universities shall offer visiting students the opportunity for CPL – external assessments.

Subpart A. Types of CPL external assessments
CPL external assessments may include, but are not limited to: AP, IB, CLEP, and other national standardized assessments; world languages assessments; industry recognized credentials, licenses, and certifications; and noncredit instruction in programs such as registered apprenticeships, continuing education, workforce development, and customized training. See System Procedure 3.35.3 Military Courses and Military Occupations for military related CPL.

Minnesota State colleges and universities shall recognize World Languages seals and certificates awarded by Minnesota high schools. Colleges and universities may recognize seals and certificates issued by other states.

Subpart B. Credit award for CPL external assessment
Credit awards (if applicable) for CPL external assessments are determined by college or university faculty who evaluate learning through a variety of means, including but not limited to, an examination, curriculum, program, credential, license, or certification. The credit award must be based on learning outcomes comparable to college- or university-level learning outcomes. Credit awards are subject to applicable curriculum processes at the college or university.

Subpart C. Credit awarded
Once a credit award has been determined, undergraduate and graduate students who provide documentation meeting the CPL external assessment requirements must be awarded the credit(s). Credit awarded must be based on documented results, not on the basis of participation alone. Colleges and universities shall award credit for CPL external assessments as a course- equivalency or as an individualized subject area. Credits awarded for prior learning may fulfill general, technical, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), program/major/minor and/or elective courses.

Subpart D. Residency credit for CPL external assessments
Colleges and universities shall award credit for CPL external assessments consistent with the residency and graduation requirements in Board Policy 3.36 and System Procedure 3.36.1 Academic Programs. Credit awarded through CPL external assessment does not apply toward residency credit requirements.

Subpart E. Recording of CPL external assessment credit awarded
See System Procedure 3.29.1 College and University Transcripts and Operating Instructions 3.35.1.1 Coding – External Assessments.

Subpart F. Credit limit for CPL external assessments
Colleges and universities shall not limit the total number of credits students may be awarded for CPL external assessments.

Subpart G. Tuition and fees for CPL external assessments
Colleges and universities shall not charge students tuition for credit awarded for CPL external assessments and shall not charge students fees for CPL external documentation processing services.

Part 5. CPL External Assessments Assessed through National Standardized Exam Scores
Colleges and universities shall award credit for learning demonstrated by scores attained on national standardized exams as indicated in the following subparts.

Subpart A. AP Exams
A college or university shall award lower division course credits for achievement of scores of three (3) or higher on AP Exams. In most cases, the same number of credits must be awarded for scores of three (3), four (4), and five (5). For courses that are sequential in nature (for example, world languages and mathematics), colleges and universities may award more credit for a score of four (4) or five (5) when it represents a greater proficiency level of the material.

Subpart B. IB diploma
Students who attain an IB diploma must be awarded six (6) lower division course credits for a score of four (4) or higher on each Higher Level IB examination and two (2) lower division course credits for a score of four (4) or higher on each Standard Level IB examination.

Subpart C. Individual IB examinations
For students who do not receive an IB diploma:

  1. Students must receive three (3) or more lower division course credits for a score of four (4) or higher on each individual Higher Level IB examination.
  2. Students must receive two (2) or more lower division credits for a score of four (4) or higher on each individual Standard Level IB examination.

Subpart D. CLEP examinations
Colleges and universities shall award course credits to students who earn 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, 63 for Spanish language, and 65 for Spanish Language with Writing is required. These scores conform to the recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE) and comply with Minn. Stat. § 120B.131 pertaining to eligible high school students.

Subpart E. Other national standardized examinations
Colleges or universities may award course credit to students who earn an institutionally determined score or higher on other national standardized exams, including but not limited to Cambridge International, GED College Ready Plus Credit, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), UExcel (formerly ECE/Excelsior College Exam), National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI), New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP), and Thomas Edison Credit-by Examination Program (TECEP).

Subpart F. Equivalent credit
Colleges and universities shall award equivalent course credit for a specific lower division college course for each AP Exam, Higher Level or Standard Level IB examination, and/or CLEP examination that covers substantially similar outcomes.

Colleges and universities may award equivalent course credit for a college course for other national standardized exams that cover 75% or more similar outcomes. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either required or elective courses.

Subpart G. Non-equivalent course credit
Colleges and universities shall award lower division elective course credits when a student presents scores on AP Exams, Higher Level or Standard Level IB examinations, and/or CLEP examinations that cover outcomes that is not substantially similar or equivalent to an existing course offered by the college or university.

  1. AP non-equivalent course credit
    Colleges and universities shall award a minimum of three (3) lower division elective course credits when a student presents a score of three (3) or higher on an AP Exams that covers outcomes that is not substantially similar or equivalent to an existing course offered by the college or university.
  2. IB non-equivalent course credit
    Colleges and universities shall award a minimum of three (3) lower division elective course credits when a student presents a score of four (4) or higher on a Higher Level IB examination or two (2) lower division elective course credits for a score of four (4) or higher on a Standard Level IB examination that covers outcomes that is not substantially similar or equivalent to an existing lower division course offered by the college or university.

Colleges and universities may award lower division elective or individualized course credits when an undergraduate or graduate student presents scores on other national standardized exams that cover outcomes that is not substantially similar or equivalent to an existing course offered by the college or university, but are evaluated for college- or university-level credit. Non-equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as elective courses.

MnTC goal areas may be designated for learning demonstrated by scores achieved from national standardized examinations when there are no equivalent general education courses at the college or university.

Part 6. CPL External Assessment Assessed through World Language Seals and Certifications
Colleges and universities shall award credit for K-12 world language proficiency as indicated in the following subparts. The assessment of proficiency levels and the award of seals and certificates is the responsibility of high schools.

Subpart A. Credit equivalencies
The following table identifies the credit equivalencies for seals and certificates and the corresponding proficiency levels set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Seal or Certificate

ACTFL Proficiency level

Credits to be Awarded

World Language Proficiency Certificate

Intermediate-Low

2 semester per language course sequence

Bilingual or Multilingual Gold Seal

Intermediate-High

3 semester per language course sequence

Bilingual or Multilingual Platinum Seal

Advanced-Low

4 semester per language course sequence

Subpart B. College or university responsibility
For a student who has earned bilingual or multilingual seals or world language proficiency certificates and is requesting academic credit, colleges and universities shall provide information on the extent to which the student has met the requirements in Minn. Stat. § 120B.022 Elective Standards:

“A student who demonstrated the requisite level of language proficiency in grade 10, 11, or 12 to receive a seal or certificate and is enrolled in a college or university of Minnesota State must request college credits for the student’s seal or proficiency certificate within three academic years after graduating from high school.

Additional findings, determinations, and recommendations, as required by the legislation, are in the February 15, 2015, legislative report, “Review of World Language Competencies and Determination of Credit Equivalencies.” These agreed-upon academic-credit equivalencies and other elements of the report should be communicated within the colleges and universities to ensure the appropriate award of college credit for world language certificates and seals.

Subpart C. Student responsibility
In order to receive proper credit, students shall submit world languages seals and certificates to the college or university within three academic years after graduating from high school.

Part 7. Industry Recognized Credentials, Licenses and Certifications, Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Badges, and Micro Credentials
Colleges and universities may recognize, and award credit for, industry recognized credentials, licenses and certifications, registered apprenticeship programs, badges, and other micro credentials that demonstrate college-level learning.

Part 8. Workforce Development, Continuing Education, and Customized Training
Colleges and universities may recognize and award credit for the successful completion of courses from workforce development, continuing education, and/or customized training programs that demonstrate college-level learning.

Part 9. Transfer of Credit Awarded for CPL External Assessments
A student who is awarded credits based on CPL external assessments and then transfers to another college or university within the Minnesota State system must have their transcript evaluated by the receiving college or university pursuant to System Procedure 3.21.1 Transfer of Undergraduate Courses, Credit, Associate Degrees, and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. When a course equivalency has been designated by the sending institution, a receiving college or university should honor the original course equivalency to the greatest extent possible.

Part 10. Implementation

Subpart A. College or university responsibility
Colleges and universities shall establish procedures for implementation that will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. Each college or university shall publish opportunities for CPL external assessments in its print and/or electronic catalog and related publications. Published information must include the following:
    • CPL external assessments,
    • CPL policies and procedures, and
    • CPL appeals.
  2. Colleges and universities shall establish procedures for implementing the CPL external assessment options of AP, IB, and CLEP:
    • a list of courses determined to be equivalent to each AP, IB, and CLEP examination and the number of credits awarded for each examination; and
    • a list of courses determined to be equivalent to other national standardized exams where applicable and the number of credits awarded for each examination.
  3. Colleges and universities shall provide students with information about CPL external assessment processes, applicable policies, required documentations, appeals process, transfer information, and the impact that credit awarded for prior learning may have on financial aid eligibility.

Subpart B. Student responsibility

  1. A student must be admitted to or registered as an approved participant in an approved partnership at a college or university to be eligible for the award of credit for prior learning through CPL external assessments.
  2. In addition to the student responsibility listed above, students seeking credit for prior learning through CPL external assessments are responsible for seeking information and advice on the use of that credit in college or university programs, including understanding processes, expectations, and assessment criteria; academic and financial aid implications; and any applicable pre-requisites or limitations based on degree program, major, minor, MnTC criteria, etc.
  3. Students may choose to submit documentation for all, some, or none of their CPL external assessments.
  4. A student seeking credit for prior learning through CPL external assessments shall provide official documents and/or supporting information as specified by the college or university policy and procedure.
  5. Students shall adhere to the college or university policies and procedures for the award of credit through CPL external assessments.

Part 11. Appeals
When the CPL decision is communicated, colleges and universities shall provide information about a student’s right to appeal and the various steps in the appeal process. Students may appeal CPL external assessments decisions using the CPL Appeals process. College or university established processes, such as the academic appeals process, may be used as the CPL appeals process.

Related Documents:

To view any of the following related statutes, go to the Revisor's Office website. You can conduct a search from this site by typing in the statute number.

  • Minn. Stat. § 120B.022 Elective Standards.
  • Minn. Stat. § 120B.13 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
  • Minn. Stat. § 120B.131 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
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System Procedure History:

Date of Adoption: 10/08/08
Date of Implementation: 03/01/09
Date of Last Review: 06/26/23

Date & Subject of Amendments:

06/26/23 – Full review, the changes consist of the following: (a) deleting unnecessary language to streamline the procedure, (b) updating the definitions and adding definitions for admitted student, apprenticeship programs, visiting student, and world Languages seals and certificates, (c) replacing “substantial” with “75% or more” to align the equivalent credit language with the transfer procedure, (d) adding “badges and micro credentials” to Part 7, (e) adding “workforce development” to Part 8, (f) adding language honoring a sending institution’s course equivalency determination during transfer to Part 9, (g) relocating college/university responsibilities ahead of student responsibilities in Part 10, and (h) updating the appeals language in Part 11.

12/06/19 – Updated the AP Examination definition. Relocated CPL transcription language to System Procedure 3.29.1 College and University Transcripts. Replaced deleted CPL transcription language in Part 4, Subpart E with “See System Procedure 3.29.1 College and University Transcripts, Part 5”. Added language on the new CLEP test for Spanish Language with Writing, changed AP exams to AP Exams to be aligned with how the College Board has rebranded these exams.

Additional HISTORY.

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