1. Complete and submit the Prior Learning Request Form. You can find the form here. The form asks you to write a short Competence Statement. In this statement, you explain how your past learning, training, or work experience may qualify for academic credit. Guidance for writing this statement is provided below.
2. The department chair will make a final decision on whether you can earn credit through prior learning assessment. For this reason, please consult with the chair of the department most closely related to your area of learning prior to submitting the Request Form.
3. If the chair decides that an assessment is appropriate, the chair or a faculty member will fill out the rest of the form. This includes creating a plan for how the assessment will be done and suggesting which faculty member should complete it. Only approved graduate faculty may conduct assessments for graduate-level credit. The department then submits the completed form to the dean’s office for review and approval of the faculty assignment. If the request is not approved by either the department or the dean, the form will be returned to you with an explanation of why it was denied.

A competence statement is a description of a learning outcome that has been achieved in a given subject area. Your competence statement must identify the subject area, theoretical and practical elements of the subject, and either the level of your knowledge or how you apply your knowledge. An example of a competence statement is: Operating Systems: Knows history, theory, principles and techniques of operating systems well enough to compare features of different operating systems, analyze the behaviors of computer programs, and plan for the configuration and installation of operation systems.

SCSU Course Outcomes can be found here.

The charge for each credit awarded by assessment of prior learning will be $100 per undergraduate credit and $150 per graduate credit awarded. All charges must be paid before any faculty assessment can occur, and payment is required regardless of eventual assessment outcome.

1. Credit received through assessment of prior learning counts towards residency requirements.
2. Credits are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Only satisfactory grades are entered on the student’s permanent record.
3. Credit applies to a specific course or courses as recommended by the department. The department, through democratic procedures, is the final authority for determining whether an assessment of prior learning is appropriate for any of its courses.
4. Credit received through assessment of prior learning may be applied to general education, a major or a minor, or to university electives as appropriate.
5. Since the assessment may take some time, the student is urged to plan well in advance of when the credits may be needed for graduation or to meet other requirements. Transcription of the course will occur at the end of the academic term in which the form is submitted. Transcription of the course may not be retroactive.
6. Credits awarded by assessment of prior learning are not included when determining financial aid eligibility for the term in which they are awarded.

To appeal a denied request of Credit for Prior Learning, please submit a written request along with all associated paperwork within three months of denial to the Associate Provost for Academic & Faculty Affairs. Students who are ineligible yet complete any assessment or evaluation prior to confirming eligibility will not be able to appeal final determination until such time as they have met stated eligibility criteria.