Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
About This Policy
- Last Updated
- 03/25/2026
- Responsible Office
- Curriculum
- Office of the Registrar
- Undergraduate Education
Definitions
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Assessment – the various methods that colleges and universities use to evaluate and acknowledge learning that has occurred outside of the traditional academic environment. It is used to grant college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education or training (CAEL n.d.).
Equivalency – A determination that a CPL assessment or other earned credit is counted as the same as an offering at Montclair.
Adult Learner – Although most students are legal adults, the term “Adult Learner” refers only to those aged 25 or older.
Policy Description
Montclair offers college credit for work and life experiences, prior to matriculation, to students who demonstrate college-level learning based on objective learning outcomes.
Some examples of opportunities for credit for prior learning include (but are not limited to):
- An internal examination, portfolio review, performance simulation, or other structured assessment of college-level learning facilitated by faculty in the relevant department, school or program area.
- A third party examination, such as Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program, or New York University’s 12-Point Exam. Or, a third party certification that the University has identified as college-level learning.
- Agreement with a third party university, such as Thomas Edison State University, for a qualified CPL review.
Typically, although these assessments measure learning that happened prior to matriculation, the assessments are offered to students while in attendance at the University. Students should confirm with the University whether any assessments undertaken before matriculation will receive credit. Guidelines for transferring prior learning credit between New Jersey colleges and universities are available: www.njplan.org
Credit for Prior Learning Educational Principles:
Montclair State University acknowledges the following educational principles:
- Learning occurs both within formal educational settings, in the community at large, and at the initiative of the individual learner.
- The criteria for evaluation of such learning should take into consideration the educational goals that are identified by the student and their academic program/department/school.
- Credit for prior learning assessment can provide substantive information about the knowledge, competencies, and skills acquired from outside the academic setting.
General Credit for Prior Learning Standards
Certain requirements and restrictions are applicable to all forms of CPL:
- Students must be enrolled and fully admitted into an academic program to earn CPL. Earned CPL will apply only toward appropriate program requirements.
- Agreements for CPL can be made prior to deposit or enrollment; however, actual credit will be awarded only once the assessment is completed, and once the student is matriculated into a program at Montclair (in other words, once the student has committed to attend Montclair toward a degree program).
- The number of credits awarded for CPL will typically be equal to the number of credits awarded for the equivalent course. When the equivalent course can be awarded a range of credit amounts, CPL will generally award the fewest allowable credits unless otherwise specified by the faculty assessor.
- Current matriculated students must receive prior approval from their major department chair/director/area coordinator, and the department chair/director/area coordinator that offers the equivalent course at Montclair, for any CPL assessment.
- Students who took an exam or underwent a third party CPL review prior to matriculation (typically as a student at another university who transferred to Montclair) should not assume that Montclair will accept their credit for the same equivalency. A student in this situation should first check the list of approved equivalents. If an exam or third party review is not listed, then the student must speak to an advisor and request a Credit Adjustment if it’s determined the credit will be equivalent to requirements at Montclair.
- Departments and schools are permitted to offer internal, structured CPL assessments which will be published and viewable in a central location. No department/school is required to offer or administer an internal CPL assessment and may ask interested students to seek a review with a third party.
- All students must adhere to the University Residency Policy. CPL does not count toward the residency requirement.
- No CPL can be awarded for requirements that have already been met by the student (no double counting). No CPL can be awarded that would equate to the prerequisite of other coursework/credit that has already been completed (i.e. receiving credit for the lower level of a language after completing a higher level).
- Students are responsible for any charges related to CPL evaluations and assessments. The fee is defined by the University and payable to Student Accounts. Financial Aid should be consulted for any information on possible impacts to receive aid.
- All CPL will be notated on the transcript.
Assessment Standards for an Internal CPL Assessment:
A student’s learning is assessed in accordance with the appropriate competencies, standards and best practices established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). These assessments and methods are regularly reviewed by the faculty in a department/school/program area with subject matter expertise.
Multiple assessment methods are used to assess a student’s prior learning. A department/school/program area will require one or more of the following:
- A. Interview/dialog with assessor
- B. Performance simulation
- C. Portfolio
- D. Standardized examination
- E. Subject -based essay
- F. Tangible product (e.g. work-based)
- G. Testimony from qualified observers
- H. External credential/certification
A department/school/program area’s method of assessing prior learning must be consistent in application and review for each prospective student. Rubrics developed for such assessment must be consistent with the rigor and outcomes expected for college-level work.
Standards Regarding Third-Party Examinations
Montclair State University accepts a number of exams administered by other organizations for academic credit. Generally, Montclair will post equivalencies for commonly accepted exams on the website. Most exams require a specific score to receive credit, and the credit and equivalencies awarded may vary widely. It is important to check the website or speak to an academic advisor to learn more.
A database of other, less common exams, that may be accepted can be found on the ACE National Guide Page.
Some of the exams accepted include:
- Advanced Placement – Certain scores are required for certain exams (typically a 3 or 4 is required), and credits earned can vary. Certain majors or other programs may require completion of a course at Montclair to continue along the curriculum, even if a student achieves a score on AP that would enable one to receive credit.
- College Level Examination Program – It is important to check equivalencies for CLEP before committing to taking an exam. Certain majors or other programs may require completion of a course at Montclair to continue along the curriculum, even if a student achieves a score on CLEP that would enable one to receive credit.
- New York University Language Proficiency Testing (specifically, the 12-Point Test) – The NYU 12-Point Test offers the opportunity for students fluent in a second language to receive credit for their knowledge. Montclair does not accept the NYU 4-Point Test. The NYU 16-Point test may only be accepted at the discretion of a specific program when there is no other reasonable plan to fulfill specific academic requirements. Taking an NYU 12-Point Test is not recommended for students who have already completed coursework in that language, since students cannot receive credit for any level of expertise equivalent to or below the level of credit the student has already received.
- International Baccalaureate – Certain majors or other programs may require completion of a course at Montclair to continue along the curriculum, even if a student achieves a score on IB that would enable one to receive credit.
Standards for Seeking CPL from Thomas Edison State University
TESU is New Jersey’s state university designed for adult learners and has built a robust CPL program. Many universities across the state partner with TESU for their expertise in this area. Montclair helps students receive CPL assessments from TESU. Students should meet with an advisor to begin this process, if interested.