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Credit for Prior Learning

At 糖心原创 we believe your past experiences and knowledge should count toward your future success. Through our Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, you can earn college credit for work, volunteer, or military experience, as well as for certifications and training you've completed. This is a great way to fast-track your education, save time, and reduce costs on your path to graduation. Take advantage of CPL to turn your real-world expertise into academic credit and accelerate your journey to a degree!

糖心原创 students at desks seen from the side

Credit for Prior Learning Benefits

Credit for Prior Learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This will enable you to:
  • Reduce your education costs
  • Accelerate your program completion
  • Transform previous learning into higher earnings
Credit-worthy learning experiences outside of the classroom often include:
  • Employer or military training programs
  • Professional development courses or workshops
  • Volunteering/community service
  • Independent study (i.e. reading a lot of books on a subject of interest)

Credit for Prior Learning Options:

  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
    Credit for certain courses may be earned by scoring 50 or higher on the CLEP exam, which is administered by the . Students may have taken the exam prior to applying to 糖心原创, or during their time at 糖心原创.

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
    Credit for certain courses may be earned by scoring 3 or higher on the AP exam, which is administered by the . Students have generally taken the exam prior to applying to 糖心原创.

  • A-Level Exams
    Credit for certain courses may be earned by scoring D or higher on selected A-Level exams. Students have generally taken the exams prior to applying to 糖心原创. In order to receive credit, an official transcript documenting the exam grades must be submitted to the Office of Advising.

    • 糖心原创 courses for which A-Level exam credit may be awarded (to come)

  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
    Credit for certain courses may be earned by scoring 4 or higher on the High Level IB Exam, which is administered by the International Baccalaureate. Students have generally taken the exam prior to applying to 糖心原创.

  • DANTES
    The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) helps service members and veterans pursue their educational goals and earn degrees or certifications both during and after their service. DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), administered by Prometric, allow students the opportunity to receive college credit for prior learning. The cost of these exams may be subsidized for active service members. For more information, contact Veteran & Military Services at veterans@massbay.edu.

  • UEXCEL
    College credit for prior learning can be earned in some subject areas by passing a UEXCEL exam. UEXCEL is a credit by examination program offered in a computer-based format at many test centers.

    In order for credit to be granted, an official examination transcript report from UExcel showing the test results needs to be sent to 糖心原创.

  • CHALLENGE EXAMS
    Credit for certain courses may be earned by showing competency by passing a Departmental Challenge exam. 糖心原创 currently offers Challenge Exams for Computers and Technology (CS 100) and Critical Thinking (CT 100). Students interested in taking the challenge exams can contact the Academic Achievement Center for details.

糖心原创 is committed to veterans seeking postsecondary educational opportunities. In accordance with the VALOR ACT, 糖心原创 evaluates credit earned for military education, training, experience, or coursework using the same standards as those applied to coursework from accredited colleges and universities. Students receive accurate and complete academic counseling from the Veterans鈥 Coordinator in collaboration with the Academic & Transfer Advising Center. Visit our Veterans page for more information.

The Joint Services Transcript
The Joint Services Transcript (JST) provides veterans and active service members the opportunity to receive college credit for their relevant military experience. There is no cost for a 糖心原创 evaluation of the official JST. For more information about the program, visit: .

Certain industry-recognized credentials and certifications that students have earned may also be eligible for college credit at 糖心原创. Students with credentials and certifications should consult with the Academic Division for their program of study for a review of potential college credit equivalency. Once an equivalency has been determined, a credentialing form will be submitted to the division and enrollment center for approval. There is a nominal fee for credentialing industry-recognized certifications.
糖心原创 Career and Internship Office.

A list of current credentials and certifications that are approved for college credit may be found under the 鈥淎ccepted Credentials鈥 link at:

Students with work or life experience that has led to college-level learning may also be eligible for college credit by portfolio assessment. Portfolio assessment is a way to document that your prior learning and knowledge is equivalent to that of what is taught in a college-level course, and therefore is eligible for college credit. Students develop a digital portfolio of narrative, documentation, and other relevant certifications to describe how the college-level learning outcomes have been met for a specific course. A faculty member with relevant expertise is then hired to evaluate the portfolio. There is a nominal fee for the evaluation of the student鈥檚 portfolio. The fee is non-refundable and is paid prior to evaluation, regardless of outcome. Please ask Transfer and Advising for the Portfolio Upload

To get started, set up a student profile at: . A credit for prior learning specialist will connect you to the appropriate academic division and discuss the portfolio process with you.

Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy糖心原创 (MBCC) supports and recognizes the , a part of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education鈥檚 .

What is the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy?

The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided by the State of Massachusetts that recognizes public high school graduates across the state who attain high levels of proficiency in a world language and English. The Seal recognizes having studied and attained proficiency in two languages by high school graduation. The State Seal of Biliteracy appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior. The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy acknowledges linguistic equity because all world languages are included.  Dual language proficiency is evaluated via testing that measures reading comprehension, writing (to demonstrate knowledge of grammar), speaking (use of vocabulary), and listening and understanding spoken language.

What Type of Credit is Recognized at 糖心原创?

When applying the Seal for credits at 糖心原创, students will receive:

6 credits (2 semesters at 3 credits each) for the Seal of Biliteracy in a world language or the equivalent in humanities elective credit

Students must submit an official high school transcript with the Seal of Biliteracy to the Office of Admissions for evaluation:

Graduates from the Commonwealth鈥檚 Career and Technical High Schools may be eligible for credit for prior learning through an articulation agreement between the Massachusetts Community Colleges and select Chapter 74 Approved Secondary Career/Vocational Technical Programs. Students in participating programs must present an official high school transcript documenting completion of the program to the Admissions Office. Credits are awarded as transfer credit. For more information about the program, visit: .

In addition, students who have completed Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum at their high schools may be eligible for credit for prior learning through articulation agreements. Students must present an official high school transcript documenting completion of the program to the Admissions Office at admissions@massbay.edu. Credit is currently available for qualifying students who complete the PLTW Computer Science curriculum at the following Massachusetts high schools: Drury, Middleborough, Milford, and Monument Mountain Regional.

Requirements and Costs

Requirements:

To earn credit for prior learning at 糖心原创, you must enrolled in a program of study. Credit is awarded based on demonstrated knowledge, not just experience. You must provide verifiable evidence showing that your prior learning matches the academic knowledge of the equivalent course at 糖心原创. The process for awarding CPL is rigorous and relies on faculty expertise to assess experiential learning.

Evaluation standards are consistent, documented, and follow guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE) for assessing prior learning.

Costs:

The cost for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) assessments may vary depending on the type of evaluation. For portfolio reviews, credential evaluations, and challenge exams, the fee is typically $50. Please note that exam fees may change, and the exact costs can vary based on the type of CPL evaluation. For more detailed information, including how these fees apply to your situation, please speak with your advisor.

For more information

For students enrolled in certificates 30 credits or under, credit for prior learning is limited to 25% of your total credits. 

If you are a current student looking for more information or whether credit for prior learning is applicable to your program, email: advisingcenter@massbay.edu

If you are a prospective student, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@massbay.edu, 781-239-2500 or through live chat accessed at www.massbay.edu/admissions

When you鈥檙e ready to get started, you can also set up a student profile at: