Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to earn academic credit after their prior learning is formally assessed. This includes structured training, professional experience, and standardized exams. The goal is to accelerate degree completion while reducing cost and duplication of effort.

St. Francis College recognizes several categories of prior learning:

• Professional Licenses and Certifications — Industry-recognized credentials may translate into course equivalencies.
• Exam-Based Credits — Students may earn credit through standardized exams, such as:
• CLEP; DSST; NYU Language Proficiency Exam; Other approved examinations
• Portfolio Assessment — Students can submit a portfolio demonstrating real-world learning, volunteer, or Community Service Experience. When learning outcomes align with academic expectations, these experiences may also count toward academic credit.

Credit by Portfolio Evaluation: 

SFC recognizes experiential learning and allows students to document it through a structured portfolio. Required elements include: Cover page, Table of contents, Executive summary, Chronological autobiography, Current résumé, Course competencies matrix, Learning narrative, Documentation, Appendices. 

Advanced Placement Course Equivalencies:

For more details, visit: Advanced Placement Course Equivalencies | St. Francis College

CLEP:

33 exams across 5 subject areas; 90-120 minutes; mostly multiple-choice

For more details, visit: College Level Examination Program (CLEP) | St. Francis College

DSST - DANTES Subject Standardized Test:

38 ACE-recommended exams; funded for active-duty military and spouses.  

For more details, visit: https://www.getcollegecredit.com/ 

New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP):

Exams in 50+ languages awarding credit-equivalent points.

For more details, visit: https://www.sps.nyu.edu 

Certification for Commonwealth students completely secretary education.

For more details, visit:  https://www.cxc.org/examinations/cape/ 

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

Proficiency exams in 30+ languages, recognizes non-traditional learning.

For more details, visit: https://www.actfl.org/ 

International Baccalaureate (IB):

Transfer credit for HL scores of 4+ with IB diploma.

For more details, visit: https://ibo.org/ 

Sophia:

ACE-recommended  Self-paced ACE-recommended courses; low-cost; includes test prep and teacher resources.

For more details, visit: https://www.sophia.org/ 

Sophia Learning Transfer Credit Policy:

Students seeking transfer credit through Sophia Learning must receive Prior Off-Campus Permission before enrolling in any Sophia Learning course. This process includes approval from the Department Chairperson and Academic Dean, as well as submission of the Sophia Learning syllabus for review. To be eligible for transfer credit, the student must have evaluated Sophia Learning course transcripts that demonstrate equivalence to at least 70% of the SFC course learning outcomes.

Students should complete the approval process before enrollment to ensure credit transferability. 

Upon successful completion of the course, students must request that an official Sophia Learning transcript be sent directly to the Registrar's Office for processing, evaluation, and transfer credit by Mrs. Sagine Relyea.

Important: Students who enroll in or complete Sophia Learning courses without obtaining prior approval may not be eligible to receive transfer credit.

Straighterline:

ACE-recommended online courses guaranteed to transfer to 130+ partner schools.

For more details, visit: https://www.straighterline.com/ 

Study.com:

ACE-recommended  60,000+ educational resources; online courses are eligible for college credit transfer

For more details, visit: https://study.com/