Prior Learning Assessment Process
At the University of Northern Colorado, students can earn credit for learning they’ve done outside the classroom. These types of credit fall under what’s called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
PLA is a way to award college credit for knowledge gained through work experience, standardized testing, military service, job training, certifications, or independent study. Students can show what they’ve learned through exams, portfolios, or other approved methods. If the learning meets college-level standards, it can count toward a degree—saving students time and money.
To learn more about UNC’s prior learning policies, visit the University Catalog.
Eligible Credit
AP (Advanced Placement) exams are offered to high school students to show what they’ve learned in college-level classes. These exams are given once a year in May and cover subjects like math, science, history, and English. If students do well on the exams, they might earn college credit at UNC.
When taking an AP test, request a copy of your scores be sent to UNC. Our college code is 4074. If you did not request, it be sent to UNC at the time of the test visit the College Board website to request a copy of your score transcript.
Scores arrive every July and applied if you have a score of 3 or higher.
View this AP Score Equivalencies guide to see how your exam may transfer to UNC.
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams are offered to anyone to earn college credit by showing what they already know in a subject. These exams are given year-round and cover topics like math, history, science, and more. CLEP is a great option for students who have learned on their own, through work experience, or in high school. If they pass, they may earn college credit at UNC.
When taking an CLEP test, request a copy of your scores be sent to UNC. Our college code is 4074. If you did not request, it be sent to UNC at the time of the test visit the College Board website to request a copy of your score transcript.
Once your official scores are received by UNC, credit will be applied if you have a score of 3, 4, or 5.
View this CLEP Score Equivalencies guide to see how your exam may transfer to UNC.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a worldwide educational program that prepares students to think critically, explore global issues, and become well-rounded learners. IB exams are taken at the end of the student’s program. Strong scores can help students earn college credit at many universities around the world.
IB tests may be offered in the standard level, which requires less contact hours in the program and covers core concepts of the subject. A higher level, requires more contact hours, and will explore the topic in greater detail and depth.
At UNC most standard-level and higher-level exams receive credit with a score of 4, 5, 6 or 7.
Transcripts of your test scores can be requested on the International Baccalaureate website.
View this IB Score Equivalencies guide to see how your exam may transfer to UNC.
The DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) program offers students a way to earn college credit by taking exams in subjects they already know. Originally designed for military members, these exams are now available to everyone.
When taking the exam you can enter UNCs school code: 8748 to have your scores sent directly to us. If you need to send an official transcripts on the DSST Get College Credit website.
Exams are offered year-round. Tests with a score of 400 or higher are eligible to receive credit at UNC.
View this DSST Score Equivalencies guide to see how your exam may transfer to UNC.
The Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) and A-Level (Advanced Level) exams are established by Cambridge Assessment International Education in the United Kingdom.
Information about the program, including course syllabi, is available at the Cambridge AICE website.
Exam scores of “A” through “E” are passing results and will be considered for credit. “Ungraded” scores are not eligible for credit. Credit will not be granted for both an A-level and an AS-level exam in the same subject area.
The student must submit an official copy of the examination result. Score transcripts can be ordered through the Cambridge International Education website.
AICE credit is counted as non-residency transfer work.
View this Cambridge AICE Score Equivalencies guide to see how your exam may transfer to UNC.
Service members and veterans may receive credit for courses completed during training and for specific military occupations.
Students may qualify for credit based on equivalency recommendations from the American Council of Education (ACE)
To have credit awarded students must submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST) online or an official transcript from Air University.
View the Military Courses or Military Occupations to see how your experience may transfer to UNC.
The Teacher Cadet Program is a program available to juniors or seniors in high school interested in a teaching career.
Upon completion of the program students may qualify to receive credit for EDF 290 or EDF 370 (3 credit hours) depending on program.
To receive credit students must:
- Submit an official high school transcript
- Have a grade of B or higher in their Teacher Cadet classes
- Send a clear copy of their completed Teacher Cadet Certification of Completion.
Materials can be mailed to The Office of the Registrar, or emailed to transfereval@unco.edu
The Teacher Cadet Program credit is counted as non-residency transfer work.
This nationally recognized program is designed for high school students interested careers in business. Students take six, project-based courses to simulate real workplace experiences.
Upon completion of the program the student may qualify to receive credit for BA 150 – Foundations of Business Thought (3 credit hours).
To receive credit must:
- Submit an official high school transcripts
- Have a grade of B or higher in their MBA High School of Business classes.
- Submit a legible copy of the MBA high School of Business Certificate of Completion.
Materials can be mailed to The Office of the Registrar or emailed to transfereval@unco.edu
MCB High School of Business™ credit is counted as non-residency transfer work. Students are not required to be business majors to be eligible to apply for the credit.
Any GT Pathways credit awarded by a Colorado Higher Education institution based on a portfolio review shall be accepted in transfer and applied to GT Pathways requirements at the University of Northern Colorado, regardless of the sending institution’s portfolio review method.
At UNC, students should consult with the respective academic unit for specific guidance on the Portfolio review process and GT alignment.
Portfolio credit is counted as non-residency transfer work.
Per §23-1-125(4), Colorado Revised Statute, “…each public institution of higher education shall grant full course credits to students for the core [GT Pathways] courses they successfully test out of, free of tuition for those courses.” Each public institution shall define a process for students to test out of GT Pathways courses, “…including specifying use of a national test or the criteria for approving institutionally devised tests.” If the student transfers, receiving institutions shall apply that credit to the appropriate GT Pathways category, even if the test out exam used was not one used by the receiving institution (CLEP, for example).
For more information and CCHE provisions related to challenge exams: https://highered.colorado.gov/Publications/Policies/Current/i-partx.pdf
Students who judge their current academic ability in a specific course to be sufficiently high may take rigorous subject matter examinations to earn credit. Students interested in challenging a UNC course should contact the appropriate school or program to determine the availability of a challenge and/or proficiency examination.
Academic units must submit the Credit for Prior Learning Options form to the Office of the Registrar to assure the awarding of academic credit for a student.
Challenge and/or proficiency exam credit is counted as UNC residency work.