Earn College Credit For What You Already Know
You may already have experience that can count toward your Northeast degree. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) gives you the opportunity to earn college credit for knowledge and skills you already have, including work experience, military service, industry certifications, professional licenses or other training.
Save Time and Money with Credit for Prior Learning
Whether you are returning to school, advancing in your career, or shifting paths, earning credit for prior learning can help you.
Save Time
Earn your degree or diploma faster by applying real-world experience directly toward curriculum requirements.
Save Money
Earn credit for some requirements without paying full course tuition.
Higher Completion Rates
Students who utilize prior learning credits are significantly more likely to finish.
Credit by Waiver allows students to earn CPL through verified training records, competency evaluations, or industry documentation. Applying for Credit by Waiver is free of charge.
- Verifiable Job Experience: Documented work activities and special non-academic training directly aligned with the learning outcomes of specific Northeast courses.
- Industry Certifications & Professional Licensure: Credit awarded for passing professional state licensure exams or earning recognized industry certifications.
- Military Experience & Training: Assessment of military educational experiences and service. Active-duty service members and veterans can submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript for evaluation.
- Non-Credit Coursework / Articulated Credit: Articulation options for students who completed non-credit continuing education or customized training courses seeking to apply those competencies toward a credit certificate or associate degree.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 85-1437(4) defines prior learning examination as “a postsecondary level examination approved by the commission pursuant to section 85-1438 to assess whether a student, prior to taking a postsecondary course, has already obtained knowledge and skills at a level substantially similar to what is expected from a student who has successfully completed a postsecondary course on the same subject.” The prior learning examinations may or may not be connected to courses taken in high school.
Northeast will award academic credit to students for each distinct prior learning examination for which the student meets or exceeds the minimum score outlined below. Credit will be awarded for equivalent courses determined by comparing course objectives, content, and skills measured in the examination prioritizing application of credit towards courses that meet general education or degree requirements. If there is not an equivalent course to a prior learning examination for which a student has met or exceeded the minimum cut score, elective credit will be granted if the student’s academic program includes elective credits as a degree requirement.
Nationally Recognized Examinations:
- Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, scores of three (3) or above for equivalent courses. A small number of courses have been designated by ACE as requiring a higher cut score. ACE lists these on its website as well as equivalent course subject areas for guidance. College Board also publishes a convenient summary on its website: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/higher-education/setting-credit-placement-policy/credit-granting-recommendations
- International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, scores of four (4) or above on Higher Level (HL) exams and Standard Level (SL) exams for equivalent courses.
- Cambridge International (CI) examinations, scores of E or above on Advanced Levels (A Levels) exams and e or above on Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) exams for equivalent courses.
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations, scores at or above the ACE credit-granting recommended score of 50 for equivalent courses.
- DSST examinations, scores at or above the ACE credit-granting recommended score of 400 for equivalent courses.
- ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates, scores at or above the ACE credit-granting recommendations for Silver (1 credit), Gold (2 credits), and Platinum (3 credits) for equivalent courses.
Please contact the Testing Center at (402) 844-7281 or (402) 844-7708 if you need to set up an appointment to take a CLEP assessment or visit the Testing Center webpage.
Challenge Exams:
- Examinations developed, administered, and evaluated by Northeast faculty to assess mastery of specific course content. Formats may include written tests, oral assessments, or hands-on skill demonstrations.
Eligibility & Policies
To qualify for Credit for Prior Learning at Northeast, students must adhere to the following standards:
- To receive CPL credit, you must be accepted to Northeast and enrolled in an eligible certificate, diploma or degree program.
- Prior learning must match the graduation requirements and learning outcomes of a Northeast course.
- CPL can make up no more than 75% of the credits required for your credential.
- CPL is recorded as passed/earned credit and does not affect your GPA.
- Another college or university may have different policies for accepting CPL credits when transferring.
- CPL credits cannot be used to establish Nebraska residency for tuition purposes.
- CPL credits may count toward maximum timeframe completion rates for financial aid evaluations.
How to Apply for Credit for Prior Learning
Ready to see how your real-world experience translates into college credit? We are here to guide you through every step of the process.
Complete the CPL Inquiry Form
You can also contact your academic advisor, an instructional dean, the Registrar’s Office, or the Director of Work-based Learning, Dr. Wade Herley.
