Apply Experience. Earn Credit.
Macomb’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program recognizes the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through jobs, military service, volunteer work, training or personal development and turns them into college credit.
This means you can:
- Finish your degree faster
- Avoid unnecessary classes
- Save money on college
- Stay on track
Work Experience
Skilled Trades and Industrial Technology
Includes experience in construction, engineering, manufacturing, automotive and/or skilled trades apprenticeship. A certification like OSHA 30 could grant credit for CIVL 1020.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Portfolio, Non-Credit to Credit
Includes experience in construction, engineering, manufacturing, automotive and/or skilled trades apprenticeship. A certification like OSHA 30 could grant credit for CIVL 1020.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Portfolio, Non-Credit to Credit
Health
For those who have experience in health care, medical coding or have received medical certifications.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Non-Credit to Credit
For those who have experience in health care, medical coding or have received medical certifications.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Non-Credit to Credit
Information Technology (IT)
Students who have a background in IT and received certifications, like CompTIA Cloud+ could be awarded credit for ITCC 1000.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Non-Credit to Credit
Students who have a background in IT and received certifications, like CompTIA Cloud+ could be awarded credit for ITCC 1000.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Credit by Exam, Non-Credit to Credit
Education, Public Service
Applicable experience could include early childhood education, emergency medical training and more.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Non-Credit to Credit
Applicable experience could include early childhood education, emergency medical training and more.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Non-Credit to Credit
Business
For those who have owned a business, spent time as a copywriter, in management and more.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Portfolio, Non-Credit to Credit, CLEP
For those who have owned a business, spent time as a copywriter, in management and more.
Pathways: Certificates and Licenses, Portfolio, Non-Credit to Credit, CLEP
Media Arts and Design
Those with graphic design, video editing and similar experience may be able to earn college credit.
Pathway: Portfolio
Those with graphic design, video editing and similar experience may be able to earn college credit.
Pathway: Portfolio
College Credit for Life Experiences
Learning can come from personal development, military service, nontraditional education or life experiences outside of school or work. We can help you turn that learning into college credit. Each case is reviewed individually, so the best way to see if you qualify is to submit a CPL inquiry form.
Credit for Exams and Advanced Courses:
CLEP Exams - Test out of general education or elective courses. Perfect if you’re an independent learner and there are no qualifications required.
Credit by Exam - Faculty-developed exams for specific Macomb courses that are not covered in the CLEP exams.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) – Passing grades from high school AP or IB courses can directly translate into college credit.
CLEP Exams - Test out of general education or elective courses. Perfect if you’re an independent learner and there are no qualifications required.
Credit by Exam - Faculty-developed exams for specific Macomb courses that are not covered in the CLEP exams.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) – Passing grades from high school AP or IB courses can directly translate into college credit.
College Credit for Military Service:
After evaluating your military training or Joint Services Transcript (JST) using American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, we may award college credit. College credit for military service is best for those who attended military school or received specialized training from their role.
Contact the Office of Veteran and Military Services (VMS) to get started.
Credit for Non-Credit Courses:
If you completed a course through a Macomb Workforce and Continuing Education (WCE) program, you may qualify for Non-Credit to Credit Pathway. This is a pre-approved articulation between WCE and the academic department.
If you completed a course through a Macomb Workforce and Continuing Education (WCE) program, you may qualify for Non-Credit to Credit Pathway. This is a pre-approved articulation between WCE and the academic department.
FAQ
Many types of learning can count including work experience, military training, industry certifications, volunteer service, independent study, or even personal or professional development if they relate to college-level course outcomes.
The MTA helps students transfer general education credits (minimum of 30 credit hours) between institutions in Michigan.
If you are student who is considering transferring to another institution after your time Macomb, your credit transfer may be affected. If this a pathway you are considering, please visit our MTA webpage to find more detailed information.
It depends on the course and what types of CPL are accepted for it. You may need to submit exam scores (like AP or CLEP), show proof of a license, or develop a portfolio. We’ll help you find the right fit and guide you through the steps.
Yes. Credit earned through prior learning counts for college credit and can be applied toward your degree or certificate depending on your program requirements. Keep in mind that to graduate, at least 15 credits must be completed through traditional coursework at the college.
The cost depends on the type of CPL. Some options, like converting an approved license or certification into course credit, have no cost. Others, like portfolio evaluation and CLEP exams do involve some fees. However, CPL costs usually are significantly less than the cost of a traditional college course.
It depends on the method of CPL assessment. Some options, like CLEP or Credit by Exam are quicker. Portfolios may take several weeks to complete and evaluate. We’ll work with you to set a reasonable timeline.