Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) at Normandale

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows you to earn college credit for learning gained outside of traditional college coursework. You must demonstrate that your prior learning is equivalent to the learning outcomes of a Normandale course through an approved assessment process. CPL includes both external and internal assessments.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) – External Assessments

Examples of CPL External Assessments are CLEP exams, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Military courses and occupations, and certifications earned while on the job or working in the community. More examples can be found here under “Types of Credit”. If you have done any of these exams or assessments, please reach out to the Transfer Team to find out how to earn transfer credit.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) – Internal Assessment

You may request college credit for life or work experiences gained outside of a formal learning environment if it aligns with a Normandale college-level course. The process for awarding this type of academic credit is called Prior Learning Assessment or Internal Assessment. MyCPL is an online Minnesota State platform that facilitates the internal assessment process for you to easily demonstrate your knowledge and for your faculty assessor to evaluate and award college credit. You can visit MyCPL to request an assessment for a Normandale course. Email cpl@normandale.edu for questions about this process at Normandale. Common courses that have previously been assessed are BUSN 1201, IT Concepts and Business Software 1 and COMM 1101, Fundamentals of Public Speaking.

• Login to MyCPL – use your StarID and StarID password.
• Create a Request – add your work and life experiences to build your profile, then search for courses related to your prior learning and create a credit request. Make sure your prior learning aligns with the course’s learning outcomes, which will be attached to the credit request. Don’t see a matching course in MyCPL? Reach out to cpl@normandale.edu for possible options!
• Talk to an Advisor – you can also talk to a CPL advisor who can recommend the course(s) that will provide the best opportunity to award you credit for your prior learning and can guide you in creating your credit request. Email cpl@normandale.edu to ask about appointments.
• Complete an Assessment – you will work with a faculty assessor to determine the method of evaluation. Some of the most common assessments are E-Portfolio, Credit by Exam, Interview, or Skills Demonstration. The Credit for Prior Learning fee is currently $30 per non-lab credit and $60 per lab credit.

Ready to get started? Login to MyCPL Today!