College Level Examination Program

Students may take the CLEP test or a department test, or request an evaluation of their military transcript if they would like to earn credit for prior learning or experience. A maximum of one-fourth of the credits required for graduation in the student’s total degree program may be earned by any type of credit by exam. In addition, no more than one-half of the requirements for a major or minor can be fulfilled by credit by exam.

Any student who has experience and learning equivalent to college-level learning may be awarded degree credit for that learning. The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process requires the learning to be related to courses or programs at UW-Green Bay. Faculty members use the portfolio process and individual assessment to decide whether and how much credit an individual should receive for prior learning. The faculty does not award credit for experience; instead, the faculty awards credit for LEARNING acquired from experiences.

Students may take the CLEP test or a department test or request an evaluation of their military transcript if they would like to earn credit for prior learning or experience. ROTC Experience Information.

Students may take the CLEP test and request an evaluation of their military transcript if they would like to earn up to six credits for prior learning. UW-Madison does not award credit for life experience.

The College Level Examination Program is an excellent option for students who have gained knowledge independently or through a non-accredited institution.  By participating in CLEP, students can take exams that demonstrate their proficiency in a given subject.  College credit may be awarded for satisfactory scores in specific exams. 

Students may take the CLEP test and request an evaluation of their military transcript if they would like to earn up to six credits for prior learning. UW-Oshkosh will award credit for learning due to experience as demonstrated by a portfolio.

Credits for CLEP, some ACE military credit, and credit for experiential learning is possible upon review of a student’s portfolio.

Some students may be eligible to receive college credits based on their CLEP scores or “test-outs” developed by individual departments on campus. In addition, faculty may award credit for learning due to experience and veteran status. Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration may also earn credit for prior business-related work and life experience by enrolling in a course called Portfolio Development.

Students may consult the appropriate UW-River Falls department about test-out or another demonstration of proficiency. At the discretion of the department, students may be awarded credit for prior learning through departmental examinations, portfolio development, individual course review, or other demonstration of competence. Students may also earn credits from CLEP scores or military training.

The Experiential Learning Program allows students to receive credit for college-level learning obtained outside the traditional academic setting. Credit is not granted simply for experience, but rather for the learning obtained from the experience. The learning is judged to be equivalent to that which would be gained through UWSP course work.

Prior learning may be evaluated by techniques such as an interview, demonstration, portfolio assessment, or other methods where appropriate for specific courses; CLEP exams; and challenge exams offered by various departments. Students must contact the chairperson of the department to determine what evaluation is needed. A maximum of 32 credits can be earned this way.

Students can earn credit for prior learning or experience through departmental tests, CLEP scores, or other examinations. Also, distance education majors can earn up to 48 credits if they have a 40-credit technical component requirement. These students are required to prepare a work experience portfolio. Credit for work experience may be granted for experience in business and industry.

Credit may be awarded for portfolio development, technical college credits, credits for non-university education programs assessed by ACE, exams for prior learning, or military service. Fees will be assessed by the number of credits granted.

Students may take the CLEP test or a department test, or request an evaluation of their military transcript if they would like to earn credit for prior learning.