Earning College Credit for Your Prior Learning Experience

Learning occurs throughout a person's life and work experiences. To recognize college-level learning students achieve outside of formal higher education, SAU Tech relies on the following policies and procedures to ensure that Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), also known as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), practices are consistent with academic integrity and responsive to lifelong learners.

The term “credit for prior learning” (CPL) refers to all of the processes SAU Tech uses to review, evaluate, and award academic credit based upon evidence of learning in accordance with academic and administrative standards. CPL is awarded for demonstrated proficiency in college-level learning. This entails systematically evaluating the knowledge, skills, and competencies students have obtained from their learning experiences outside of higher education.

Eligibility

In order to apply for CPL, the student must be an active SAU Tech certificate or degree-seeking student.

Credit for Prior Learning Award Process

Various assessment methods measure the student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in learning outcomes associated with existing courses.
CPL will only be awarded for courses directly applicable to program requirements in the student’s declared certificate or degree as specified in college publications and is consistent with other institutional policies.
A student must be registered for coursework at the time of the awarding of CPL. (The Vice Chancellor for Academics may grant exceptions.)
CPL will be evaluated only at the request of the student.
Students must still meet the minimum academic residency requirement for any certificate or degree. Residency requirements are the minimum number of credit hours a student must earn from SAU Tech to graduate. CPL credits earned through challenge exams, credit by examination, and portfolio assessment are applied toward academic residency requirements; however, CPL credits earned via any other method are considered transfer credits and do not count toward academic residency requirements. CPL may not be used to fulfill more than half of the required credits for a degree or certificate.

Financial Aid

Financial aid does not cover the costs of CPL. However, credit hours awarded through CPL methods may affect financial aid and veterans’ benefits. Credit hours awarded through CPL methods count toward the total earned hours that a student has acquired and the 150% rule. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor to determine how credits earned through CPL may affect them prior to requesting any CPL.

Assessment Methods for Prior Learning

Standardized Exams: Credit will be awarded for passing scores on some national for-credit examination programs, such as College Board Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
Credit by Examination: Institutionally-prepared exams developed for specific SAU Tech courses to validate that a student’s prior learning meets the learning outcomes of the course being challenged.
Challenge Examination: Institutionally-prepared exams developed for specific SAU Tech courses to validate that a student’s prior learning meets the learning outcomes of the course being challenged.
Aviation Maintenance Technology Program: SAU Tech has developed guidelines for awarding credit for prior learning based on FAA certification.
Arkansas Fire Training Academy: AFTA is a division of SAU Tech. Students who complete training through the Academy are able to earn credit toward credential completion.
Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy: Students who have completed the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) are eligible to earn 28 hours for the training toward completing the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Law Enforcement emphasis.
Portfolio Assessment: Portfolios consist of documentation and corresponding narrative submitted for credit that comprehensively demonstrates proficiency in the learning outcomes for a particular course. Individual portfolios are assessed using current SAU Tech standards. If an approved standardized or challenge exam exists, SAU Tech may choose not to offer a CPL portfolio option.

Application of the Credit for Prior Learning Award

Credits awarded through CPL will be applied to program requirements in the following ways:

CPL credits are applied to degree or program requirements like other credits earned at SAU Tech. Please refer to the CPL Award section of this document for further information.
SAU Tech awards credit for prior learning only for courses or programs for which there are active SAU Tech catalog listings.
SAU Tech will assign the appropriate SAU Tech course title(s) and number(s) to the credit(s) awarded. Neutral grades of CR (credit) for challenge exams or portfolios, or TR (transfer credit), for all other assessment methods, will be utilized and will not affect a student’s GPA. Traditional letter grades are not assigned for CPL awards.
Portfolio assessment credit will not be recorded on a transcript until the GS 1021 Portfolio Development course and the semester in which portfolio credit was requested have been completed. (Exception for Aviation: Credits are escrowed and placed on the transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)
Earned credit is transcribed onto the student’s record within 10 business days of the award.

Transferability of Credit for Prior Learning

CPL is granted for the purpose of satisfying SAU Tech graduation requirements. These credits may not be accepted at other colleges and universities. Students are responsible for contacting the institution to which they intend to transfer to determine its policy on accepting CPL awarded at SAU Tech.

SAU Tech reserves the right to evaluate, apply, or deny CPL awarded at another institution. CPL, or PLA (prior learning assessment), awarded at another institution, is evaluated case-by-case. Students should contact his/her academic advisor.

Advanced Placement: The Arkansas Division of Higher Education Coordinating Board has established guidelines by which institutions must award course credit for advanced placement exams. Institutions should implement this policy for entering freshmen in the fall 2018 semester.

Course Credit. Under this policy, institutions should award course credit to students who score a three (3) or higher on any Advanced Placement (AP) exam. Credit awarded for any AP exam must be applied to the student transcript and, where appropriate, reduce the required degree hours by either directly satisfying degree or elective requirements. In order to increase transferability, ACTS courses have been assigned to relevant exams.

These courses are outlined in the following section of this policy. This list is maintained by the Division of Higher Education and will be reviewed every five years.

Advanced Placement ACTS Courses. The following table maps AP exams to corresponding ACTS courses. AP exams without the corresponding ACTS listed below will be awarded at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor for Academics.

AP Exam	ACTS Course
Art History	ARTA 1003 Art Appreciation
Biology	BIOL1004 Biology for Non-Majors
Calculus AB	MATH 2405 Calculus I
Calculus BC	MATH 2505 Calculus II
Chemistry	CHEM 1004 Chemistry for General Education
Computer Science A	CPSI 1003 Introduction to Computers or CS 1001 Computer Science I/Principles of Computer Science
AP Exam	ACTS Course
Computer Science Principles	CPSI 1003 Introduction to Computers or CS 1001 Computer Science I/Principles of Computer Science
English Language & Composition	ENGL 1013 Composition I
English Literature & Composition	ENGL 2113 World Literature I or ENGL 2123 World Literature II or ENGL 2223 Western Literature I or ENGL 2223 Western Literature II
Environmental Science	GEOL 1124 Environmental Geology
European History	HIST 1213 Western Civilization I or HIST 1223 Western Civilization II
French Language & Culture	FREN 2013 French III
German Language & Culture	GERM 2013 German III
Human Geography	GEOG 1113 Human Geography
Macroeconomics	ECON 2103 Principles of Macroeconomics
Microeconomics	ECON 2203 Principles of Microeconomics
Music Theory	MUSC 1003 Music Appreciation
Physics 1	PHYS 2014 Algebra/Trigonometry-Based Physics I
Physics 2	PHYS 2024 Algebra/Trigonometry-Based Physics II
Psychology	PSYC 1103 General Psychology
Spanish Language & Culture	SPAN 2013 Spanish III
Statistics	MATH 2103 Introduction to Statistics
United States Government & Politics	PLSC 2003 American National Government
United States History	HIST 2113 United States History or HIST 2123 United States History II
World History	HIST 1113 World Civilizations or HIST 1123 World Civilizations II

Additional Credit. (a) Institutions will be limited to awarding minimum credit for one corresponding ACTS course listed in the table above to students who score a three (3) on the exam. If in the student's best interest, institutions may award a higher-level course for a score of three (3). (b) Institutions may choose to award additional credit for those students who score a four (4) or five (5) on an exam. While transfer institutions are encouraged to accept any additional AP credit awarded, the transfer institution will not be obligated to honor additional credit given beyond the requirement. (c) Institutions may award additional credit for prerequisite courses when credit is awarded for a higher-level sequenced course.
AP Exam scores below three (3). No credit will be awarded for an AP exam score below three (3.)
Course not offered. No credit will be awarded for an AP exam for a course that SAU Tech does not offer.

CLEP: Subject examinations from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board are given by appointment at SAU Tech. Students may call the Testing Center at 1.870.574.4486 to schedule CLEP Tests.

SAU Tech awards up to 15 hours of college credit based on College Board recommended scores on CLEP tests. Credit is awarded after a student has completed 12 hours of coursework at SAU Tech. Hours awarded from CLEP tests are not counted as part of the 15-hour residency requirement.

Credit by Examination: SAU Tech offers credit by examination for some courses. To request to take this exam, the student will complete the Credit by Examination Request Form located under the Student tab of the MyCollege portal. If the request is approved, the student will pay the appropriate fee, and then the instructor will make arrangements with the student to administer the examination. For written tests, a non-refundable fee of $15 per credit hour must be paid to the Business Office before the test is administered. If the examination includes a practical portion in addition to the written portion, an extra fee will be charged based on the length of the practical examination. The receipt for payment must be presented to the individual administering the exam before the exam is given. After the student completes the exam, the instructor completes the Credit by Examination Results form and submits it to Registrar. The grade and credit will appear on the student’s transcript.

Challenge Examination: Challenge examinations may be taken in some courses. To request approval to take this exam, the student will complete the Challenge Examination Request Form under the MyCollege portal's Student tab. If approved, the student registers for the course. The challenge examination must be taken during the first four weeks of class. If the student fails the examination, he/she may continue in the course for the semester. If the student chooses to accept the score that he/she receives on the exam, the instructor completes the Challenge Examination Results form and submits it to the Registrar. The grade and credit will appear on the student’s transcript.

Portfolio Assessment: Learning portfolios are used to assess a student’s knowledge level when all other CPL methods have been exhausted. A learning portfolio consists of the following:

A learning narrative that documents how an individual has met the learning outcomes for a single course;
Supporting materials that provide examples of the stated learning; and
An updated resume.

The contents of a learning portfolio have been accrued through the student’s non-credit learning experiences such as documented community service; work experience/training; professional organization training; military experience; professional certifications; community extension courses; adult education courses; seminars and workshops; and in-service training/instruction.

Steps for Pursuing Credit through Portfolio Assessment

Using the college catalog and degree requirements, determine the course(s) you feel you have the relevant, equivalent college-level experience/knowledge.
Meet with the academic advisor for the appropriate degree program to request credit. The academic advisor will make an initial review of the possible granting of credit through the portfolio process.
If the initial review indicates possible credit granting, the academic advisor will recommend to the Vice Chancellor for Academics that the student enrolls in GS 1021 Portfolio Development. Upon the Vice Chancellor for Academics approval, the student will register for GS 1021 Portfolio Development. During the portfolio course, the student will establish accompanying documentation and written evidence supporting the student’s claim of prior learning. If deemed necessary, the advisor may request that appropriate faculty interview or conduct evaluations (including exams) when additional documentation is needed to substantiate the request. Documentation of prior learning may include certificates of workshop/seminar completion, letters from supervisors, and any other verifiable information sources that substantiate claims made for CPL. The academic advisor will appraise the prior learning and determine the number of credits to be granted for specific course equivalency.
At the conclusion of the semester in which CPL was requested, and the Portfolio Development course is completed, the academic advisor will complete a Course Substitution form noting the portfolio credit and equivalent SAU Tech course credit awarded. The form will be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academics for approval. The portfolio documentation and approved Course Substitution form will be forwarded to the Registrar to be placed in the student’s permanent academic file. The credit will be recorded on the student transcript and noted on the official degree plan. (Exception for Aviation: Credits are escrowed and placed on the transcript at the completion of remaining A.A.S. degree requirements.)

Subsequent requests for portfolio credit must follow the same process noted above, including enrollment and completion of GS 1021 Portfolio Development. The Portfolio Development course will add an additional credit hour requirement to a student’s degree plan each time it is taken for portfolio credit.

Below are the guidelines for earning credit for prior learning as applicable to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification and the SAU Tech Aviation Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

Introduction

SAU Tech recognizes that there are FAA certificated Airframe and Powerplant Technicians who may want to continue their education toward the Aviation Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Such added educational accomplishments may yield a more rounded and qualified individual with more significant opportunities for advancement and or job placement. SAU Tech has developed the following guidelines for awarding credit for prior learning based on FAA certification.

Criteria

FAA Certification: Prospective degree-seeking students shall be required to present a copy of their FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification card, which shall be placed in the student’s personal file with SAU Tech.
Minimum Experience: Applicants for credit for prior learning shall have a minimum of two years of documented active service or career experience in aviation maintenance. Proof of experience shall be submitted along with appropriate documentation and retained in the student’s SAU Tech personal file. The Vice-Chancellor may make exceptions to the minimum experience requirement for Academics.
Background checks: Graduates of SAU Tech are expected to be of high moral and ethical character. The SAU Tech Aviation Program Coordinator shall submit the student’s certification number to the FAA for a records check of any possible violations that may have been recorded related to the student’s certification. Any adverse comments or violations may be grounds for denial of credit for prior learning.

Portfolio Process: Students seeking aviation program credit for prior learning will follow the established CPL procedure for portfolio assessment outlined in the college catalog, including enrollment in GS 1021 Portfolio Development. Before enrolling in GS 1021, students should be aware of the unique factors as an Aviation Maintenance student that may disqualify them from receiving credit for prior learning and that credit approved through the portfolio will be held in escrow until awarded based on the conditions below. The Portfolio process will verify the above criteria.

Awarding of Credit: Students who have successfully met the above criteria through their portfolio shall be candidates for the awarding of credit for prior learning of all Aviation Maintenance core subjects required for the Aviation Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The remaining general education coursework required for the degree may be taken from SAU Tech or transferred from another regionally accredited college/university. Upon successful completion of the remaining A.A.S. degree requirements and a second FAA background review to confirm the current good standing of the applicant, the necessary paperwork to allow the awarding of escrowed credit for prior learning will be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academics for approval.

AFTA students are able to earn college credit and credentials as they complete the required courses for Standards School and some other courses as identified in the AFTA & SAU Tech Opportunities for College Credit booklet. Students can also receive college credit for other AFTA courses that make up the degrees and certificates through the CPL process. To request credit through the CPL process:

The student should work with his/her advisor to determine the course(s) he/she should request via CPL as determined by the degree requirement.
The student should then request his/her AFTA Participant Summary that includes the courses for which he/she is requesting credit.
Complete the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Fire Science form and obtain the signatures of your advisor and the Vice Chancellor for Academics. The form is available on the SAU Tech website under the AFTA.
Take the completed, signed copy of the form to the Business Office and pay the $25 fee in person, or you can call the Business Office at 870.574.4461 or 870.574.4458 to pay with your credit or debit card. You will receive a receipt that you will need to present with your form and participant summary.
Deliver the signed form, receipt, and AFTA Participant Summary to the Registrar or email the documents to registrar@sautech.edu.
The Registrar will post the credit and file the form and documents in the student’s file.

Credit for Prior Learning Fire Science Form

Students who have completed the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) are eligible to earn 28 hours for training toward completing the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Law Enforcement emphasis. There are multiple options to have the 28 hours awarded to the SAU Tech transcript:

Completion of ALETA after 2018

If the student completed the paperwork to register for 11 credit hours while completing ALETA Basic Police Training, those credits will already be noted on the SAU Tech transcript. The student will have a GPA for the grades earned in each course and will have earned a Criminal Justice Certificate of Proficiency. Additionally, an additional nine hours can be awarded upon completion or transfer of Composition I, Math Reasoning, and General Psychology. No letter grades will be awarded for the additional nine hours, but the Law Enforcement Technical Certificate will be granted. Furthermore, after completing or transferring the remaining hours for the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Law Enforcement emphasis, the remaining nine hours of ALETA training will be awarded through CPL. No letter grades will be awarded for the additional nine hours, but the Associate degree will be awarded.

If completion of ALETA was after 2018, but the student did not complete the paperwork to earn the 11 hours of college credit with letter grades while enrolled in the ALETA Basic Police Training Course, the student may petition to have the entire 28 hours of law enforcement credit posted via CPL upon completion or transfer of the general education courses on the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis. The admissions file must be completed, and the ALETA certificate* documenting completion of the Basic Police Training Course must be presented. This credit can be requested by working with an academic advisor and completing the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Law Enforcement form. The Certificate of Proficiency in Criminal Justice and the Technical Certificate in Law Enforcement will not be awarded.

Completion of ALETA Basic Police Training Course between 1997 and 2018

If the student completed paperwork to register for the 28 hours of credit while at ALETA before 2018, those credits will already be noted on the SAU Tech transcript, and PLA is unnecessary. The student will have a GPA for the grade earned in each course and earn a Technical Certificate in Law Enforcement. The ALETA credit hours can also be applied to the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis.

If completion of the ALETA Basic Police Training Course was after 1997, but the student did not complete the paperwork to earn the 28 hours of credit, the student must petition to have the 28 hours awarded. The application for admission must be completed, and the ALETA certificate* documenting completion of the Basic Police Training Course must be presented. This credit can be requested by working with an academic advisor and completing the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Law Enforcement form. The 28 hours of credit will be posted to the SAU Tech transcript as CPL, and no GPA will be earned. The student will not be eligible for the Certificate of Proficiency in Criminal Justice or the Technical Certificate in Law Enforcement. However, these hours can be applied to the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis.

Completion of ALETA Basic Police Training Courses between 1990-1996

If completion of the ALETA Basic Police Training Course was 1990-1996, the student must complete the admissions process and enroll in the 1-credit hour online Portfolio Development course to have the 28 hours of credit awarded to the SAU Tech transcript. The Portfolio Development course will assist the student in compiling evidence of learning. Evidence of learning will include the ALETA certificate* verifying successful completion of the Basic Police Training Course. The portfolio will also include evidence of an additional 60+ hours of law enforcement training.

Upon successful completion of the Portfolio Development course, approval of the portfolio, and completion or transfer of the general education courses for the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis, 28 hours of credit will be applied to the transcript, but no GPA will be noted. The student will not be eligible for the Certificate of Proficiency in Criminal Justice or Technical Certificate in Law Enforcement. No GPA will be earned for the 28 hours. However, these hours can be applied to the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis.

Residency

Students requesting credit for ALETA training AND transferring coursework toward the General Education requirements on the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis must establish residency and a GPA to be eligible for graduation at SAU Tech. Students who sign up after 2018 while at ALETA to earn the 11 hours of course credit will be granted full residency. For all others, 15 credit hours of residency is required. The Credit by Examination process can be used to establish residency and GPA.

The student will pay the Business Office a $15 per credit hour fee.
Students will request that ALETA provide SAU Tech with final grades in each course of Basic Police Training.
SAU Tech will post the course as Credit by Examination, including a letter grade. The letter grade will generate a GPA.
The student will not be eligible for the Technical Certificate.

When the student transfers more than 17 hours of general education requirements toward the Professional Studies Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree Law Enforcement emphasis, a combination of transfer work and Credit by Examination may be used to establish the 15 hours of residency.

*The required ALETA certificate documents the completion of Basic Police Training and includes the number of training hours. This differs from the Basic Certificate from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST).

Credit by Examination Request Form
Credit by Examination Results Form- Coming Soon
Challenge Examination Request Form
Challenge Examination Request Results Form

For more information, contact Dr. Valerie Wilson, SAU Tech Vice Chancellor for Academics & Planning at vwilson@sautech.edu.