If you are an active service member or veteran, you may qualify for credit toward
your program of study.
Norco College is dedicated to ensuring the success of our active duty and veteran
students. If you attended a military service school, received training, or served
in an occupation specialty you may be able to earn credit toward your program at Norco
College.
To request credit for your military training:
1. Contact the Veterans Counselor at Norco College.
Hours & Location
Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur:8 am - 6pm
Fri: 8 am - 4 pm
Veterans Resource Center
(951) 372-7142
veterans.services@norcocollege.edu
2. Submit your official transcripts directly to the Admissions & Records Office at
Norco College.
a. Active-duty members of the armed forces can submit a Joint Services Transcript
(JST). You may request your JST through the JST website
b. Military service members of the Air Force can submit an official transcript from
the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to receive traditional transfer credit.
CCAF is an accredited college, credit awards are considered as transfer credit, rather
than credit for prior learning.
3. To submit your request for credit, you will need to ensure your official transcripts
have been received by Norco College and submit the completed CPL Request form to evaluations@norcocollege.edu to initiate the review process.
A portfolio is a collection of documents, supporting materials, and corresponding
narrative that document student’s ability to demonstrate their proficiency in learning
objectives for a single course.
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using a student-created portfolio
shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty
designee.
To request review of a student-created portfolio:
1. Speak with a counselor:
Norco College Counseling
2. To submit your request for credit, you will need to ensure completion of a portfolio
that demonstrates proficiency in learning objectives for a single course listed in
the catalog at either Norco College, Riverside City College, or Moreno Valley College.
You will need to meet with the department chair or faculty discipline designee.
3. Please contact evaluations@norcocollege.edu for more information.
Earn credit towards your degree or certificate with a current, verifiable industry
certification or licensure.
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using industry recognized credential(s)
shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty
designee.
To request a review of industry-recognized credentials:
1. Submit your current, verifiable industry certification or licensure, a copy of
your government issued photo identification and the completed CPL Request form to
evaluations@norcocollege.edu to initiate the review process.
2. Please contact evaluations@norcocollege.edu for more information.
Earn credit towards your degree or certificate with verifiable work-based learning,
apprenticeship, or internship.
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using industry recognized credential(s)
shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty
designee.
To request review :
1. Submit your verifiable work-based learning, apprenticeship, or internship documentation,
a copy of your government issued photo identification and the completed CPL Request
form to evaluations@norcocollege.edu to initiate the review process.
2. Please contact evaluations@norcocollege.edu for more information.
Riverside Community College District recognizes the Advanced Placement Program of
the College Entrance Examination Board.
Official AP Scores must be sent to the Admissions and Records office for official
evaluation.
Please visit Norco College Articulation for more information.
To request your Advanced Placement Scores:
CollegeBoard
AP/IB/CLEP
Advanced Placement Exam (AP)
Riverside Community College District recognizes the Advanced Placement Program of
the College Entrance Examination Board. Students will be granted credit for Advanced
Placement examinations with a score of 3, 4 or 5 in specified subject areas. Advanced
Placement subject credit is granted for the fulfillment of Riverside Community College
District programs only. Other colleges or universities may have different policies
concerning Advanced Placement. Therefore, the transfer institution will reevaluate
the Advanced Placement scores based upon their own college policies. Students who
have successfully completed AP exams with scores of 3, 4 or 5 may earn credit towards
GE and graduation requirements, IGETC, and CSU GE Breadth Certifications. Please refer
to the RCCD AP Credit Chart for specific information on how AP credits are applied
to each of these categories. Official AP Scores must be sent to the Admissions and
Records office for official evaluation.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Students who have successfully completed IB exams with scores of 5, 6 or 7 may earn
credit towards RCC GE and graduation requirements, IGETC, and CSU GE Breadth Certifications.
For CSU GE and IGETC certifications, IB unit and area credit is awarded as approved
by the CSU and UC systems. A score of 4 on certain exams may be acceptable for CSU
GE only. Check with a counselor for more information. Please refer to the RCCD IB
Credit Chart for specific information on how IB credits are applied to each of these
categories
Credit for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Credit is not allowed if coursework in the subject area has been completed or AP credit
has previously been granted. CLEP exams may be used to certify CSU requirements as
indicated by the CSU system. They will not be used to certify IGETC requirements,
at this time. Students planning to transfer should check the policy on CLEP in the
catalog of the college to which they will transfer. To apply for CLEP credit the student
must have completed 12 units in residency at Riverside Community College District.
An official transcript is required. For further information, contact the Counseling
office.
RCCD General Education/CSU-GE Credit for CLEP Tests
Students may earn credit for College–Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. CLEP
credit can be used to meet CSU-GE and RCCD general education (GE). UC does not award
units for CLEP credit. Students must have the College Board send CLEP results to the
Admissions Office for use on the A.A. or CSU-GE patterns. Course credit and units
granted at Norco College may differ from course credit and units granted by another
college or transfer institution.
CPL Student Resources
To learn more about Credit for Prior Learning and to see if you are eligible, submit the CPL Inquiry Form.
Servicemembers also have the option to upload their JST here: Joint Services Transcript Upload
Ready to submit a request?
Download the form below and reference How to Apply for Credit for Prior Learning for the next steps in submitting your petition.
Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Petition
CPL FAQs for Students
What is Credit for Prior Learning?
- Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level
skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom.
How can CPL help me?
- CPL can save you time and money on your educational path. Please consult with a counselor
to see if CPL is an option for you.
Does it cost anything to have my CPL evaluated by Norco College?
- There is no cost to have your CPL evaluated at Norco College.
Who can I talk with about CPL?
Please email:
Janelle Brekke
MAP/CPL Counselor
How do I get started?
- To begin the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process, please submit an inquiry here: CPL Inquiry Form.
How do I demonstrate that I have prior learning?
Each CPL eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods
include:
- Military Transcript
- Credit by Exam
- Portfolio Review
- Industry Certification/Accreditation or License
- AP, IB, CLEP
- Work-Based Learning
How much credit am I allowed to earn through CPL?
- A maximum of 45 units may be granted in total from one or more of the following: CLEP,
military training, AP, IB, or Credit for Extra Institutional Learning, which may include
student-created portfolios, industry credentials and experience, to be determined
by faculty in the district-wide discipline.
What courses are currently eligible for Credit for Prior Learning?
Check out our CPL Course List!
- If you have prior learning experience that you feel would qualify for CPL, but you
don't see the discipline or course in our list, please email cpl@norcocollege.edu
- We are still building our CPL database and will reach out to our faculty on your behalf
to see if CPL is a good fit!
What are the guidelines for CPL?
- Students must be currently enrolled, in good standing in the district, and have completed
at least 12 units in the district or 50% of the certificate coursework at RCCD.
- Students cannot be currently enrolled in the course to be considered or challenged.
- Credit for Prior learning does not supersede 50% of certificate coursework requirement
for the district. 50% of the coursework for any certificate pattern must be completed
at any of the colleges within Riverside Community College District.
- The course must be listed in a current college catalog of either Riverside City College,
Norco College, or Moreno Valley College.
- Credit for prior learning may not be available for all course offerings and is contingent
upon discipline curricular decisions as approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.
What is the CPL Grading Policy?
- Grading shall be according to the regular grading system in accordance with Administrative
Procedure 2230 Grading and Academic Record Symbols
- Students shall be offered a “Pass & No Pass" option, in accordance with Administrative
Procedure 2230[A] Pass & No Pass Grading Option, if that option is ordinarily available
for the course
-
Students shall be given the opportunity to accept, decline, or appeal the grade assigned by the faculty, and in cases of
Credit by Examination, pursuant to AP 2230 Grading and Academic Record Symbols and
AP 2231 Grade Changes.
CPL Faculty Resources
Credit for prior learning (CPL) is credit awarded for validated college-level skills
and knowledge gained outside a college classroom—it’s a strategy to grant students
credit for what they already know and can do. Across the nation, individual institutions
and systems of higher education are implementing comprehensive CPL practices to help
working adults reskill and achieve quality credentials that increase their economic
mobility.
Check out:
- CPL Materials and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is Credit for Prior Learning defined in Title 5?
On September 16, 2019, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges
approved a revision to Title 5, Section 55050 that redesigns how students at California
Community Colleges receive credit for prior learning. The new regulation aims to make
the process more consistent and equitable for students who come to community colleges
with college-level skills and knowledge acquired in a variety of non-classroom settings.
What are some of the benefits of Credit for Prior Learning?
Research suggests that CPL benefits students and colleges by increasing completion
and closing achievement gaps. In California, this means CPL can help the system achieve
the goals outlined in the Vision for Success and increase college funding through
improving measures on the Student-Centered Funding Formula metrics.
What is the Riverside Community College District policy on Credit for Prior Learning?
AP 2235 Credit for Prior Learning
Who do I contact for more information?
Dr. Sigrid Williams
CPL Faculty Coordinatorr
Sigrid.Williams@norcocollege.edu
Who can I direct students to?
Janelle Brekke
MAP/CPL Counselor
Janelle.Brekke@rccd.edu
CPL Materials & Resources
As part of the California Mapping Articulated Pathways (MAP) Initiative, Norco College
collaborates with colleges across the state to provide a robust array of resources
for reviewing and awarding credit for prior learning. Whether you're a faculty member,
administrator, or staff member at a participating college, you play a crucial role
in empowering students with the tools they need to excel academically. Explore the
resources available through the MAP Initiative on the Credit for Prior Learning website to discover how you can contribute to this collaborative effort.
Industry Recognized Credentials
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using industry recognized credential(s)
shall receive credit as recommended by the appropriate department chair or faculty
designee. The student meets with the department chair or faculty discipline designee
to receive further instructions for student-created portfolio assessment. See College
Catalog for details.
CPL Policy & Resources
As part of the California Mapping Articulated Pathways (MAP) Initiative, Norco College
collaborates with colleges across the state to provide a robust array of resources
for reviewing and awarding credit for prior learning. Whether you're a faculty member,
administrator, or staff member at a participating college, you play a crucial role
in empowering students with the tools they need to excel academically. Explore the
resources available through the MAP Initiative on the MAP website to discover how you can contribute to this collaborative effort.