Credit for Prior Learning
What is Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)?
Triton College recognizes that learning occurs in many places. Therefore, we allow students to earn credit for the college-level knowledge they have gained outside the classroom using various methods collectively known as Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) - also sometimes called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
At Triton, you may be able to turn your hard-earned experiences from work, military service, or professional training into credits for your college degree. Discover how you can benefit from our transfer credit policy, which saves you time and money and puts you on a shorter path to graduation.
Transfer Credit
If you earned college credit from another institution, you may be able to transfer those credits to Triton College. Whether you earned college credit during high school, at a community college, or at a university, we can simplify the credit transfer process.
Academic credit is generally accepted only from institutions accredited by one of the institutional accrediting associations approved by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. All foreign/non-English transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES member. A complete list of NACES members can be found here.
Transcript Submission
There is no cost for student transcript evaluation.
Professional Training
Students may be able to earn credit for professional licenses and certifications; apprenticeships and courses taken at the workplace; through corporations, government agencies, professional associations or unions; or through specialized training programs.
See the following crosswalk of credentials mapped to credit courses. These CPL awards are pre-approved.
For licenses or certificates, this documentation is frequently a notarized copy of the license or certificate and a current renewal card where appropriate.
Additional documentation may be required.
Portfolio Assessment
Many adults come to Triton with knowledge in multiple subject areas that they can apply toward their degrees. You may have acquired college-level knowledge through past work, training programs or in-service courses, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies and recreational pastimes, community or religious activities, organizational memberships, or noncredit courses. A portfolio enables you to identify and articulate this knowledge and, potentially, earn credit for it.
The Appropriate Dean's Office will provide you with the course learning outcomes for the courses you wish to earn credit so that when you write your portfolio, it is targeted to articulate the knowledge required for the equivalent course.
Credit by Proficiency
At Triton, academic credit or advanced placement may be granted following either a review of the content of specific courses or a proficiency examination in compliance with individual departmental policies.
Department Exams
Browse the listing of subjects to find an area in which you have some prior knowledge or experience. Then, review the test description for that exam. It includes a list of exam topics, suggested study materials, information about the test format, and sample test questions. Reviewing the test description material will show you what to expect and how to prepare. Exams are graded on a credit/no credit basis, and you receive college credit by passing. The examinations are conducted at the college Testing Center, which provides testing services for Triton students, staff, and community members, and adheres to the Professional Standards and Guidelines of the National College Testing Association. There is a fee of $25 per credit. (being confirmed)
In addition,students may earn credit through the following examination programs:
Advanced Placement
Students may be granted college credit through successful performance on any of the advanced placement tests of the College Board. Students are responsible for submitting the scores to the Record Evaluator’s Office and for petitions requesting the granting of such credit. Credit awarded in this manner will be added to the semester hours earned but not the semester hours attempted or the grade points. Students must score the required score set by the department.
Students planning to transfer as part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) should note that passing scores on appropriate AP exams may be used to fulfill general education core requirements for students only if an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree is earned prior to transfer.
Triton College AP course equivalencies
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Triton College (code 1821) follows the guidelines of the Illinois Community College Board in accepting credit from the general examinations of College Level Examination Program.
Triton College CLEP course equivalencies
DSST (formerly DANTES)
The DSST Program is an extensive series of 38 examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends three semester hours of credit per test. Acceptance of DSST credit is subject to departmental approval.
Triton College DSST course equivalencies
Military Experience
The college follows the recommendation of ACE in granting four semester hours of undergraduate credit in physical education and two semester hours of credit for health education received in basic training. In addition, courses completed in training may also be accepted for college credit.
State Seal of Biliteracy
Students earning the State Seal of Biliteracy, the equivalent of two years of foreign language coursework taken during high school, are eligible to receive prior learning credit. Students interested in earning academic credit for this distinction must make this request to Triton College within three years after graduating from an approved high school.
Triton College course equivalencies
International Baccalaureate
Students who score a four or higher on an International Baccalaureate examination will receive ungraded credit toward satisfying core or elective course degree requirements. Students are responsible for submitting the scores to the Record Evaluator’s Office and for petitions requesting the granting of such credit. Credit awarded in this manner will be added to the semester hours earned but not the semester hours attempted or the grade points.
Triton College IB course equivalencies
College Policy on Acceptance of Academic Credit
Costs
There is no fee for student transcript evaluation.
There is a fee of $50 per credit hour.
There is a fee of $50 per course for portfolio evaluations.
Please see the college’s PLA Brochure for additional information about these exams and equivalencies.