Credit for Prior Learning at Norco College
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is college credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Credit for prior learning may be earned for eligible courses approved by the faculty for students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment.
Authorized assessments may include the evaluation of approved external standardized examinations, military service/training, the evaluation of industry recognized credentials, student-created portfolios, and credit by examination.
Students should meet with a Counselor for specific information regarding CPL and the
petition process. Details may be found in administrative procedure 2235.
Instruction
Dr. Sigrid Williams
CPL Faculty Coordinator
(951) 739-7825
Send Email
Click here to visit our new Credit for Prior Learning website!
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:
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:
AP/IB/CLEP
Advanced Placement Exam (AP)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Credit for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
RCCD General Education/CSU-GE Credit for CLEP Tests
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
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.
For further information, contact the Counseling office.
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.
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