Credit for Prior Learning | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI

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Credit for Prior Learning

Earn Credit for What You Already Know Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)!

We recognize you may have acquired valuable knowledge and skills outside of Western. This learning could have been attained through such sources as:

  • Work/volunteer experience
  • Military training and service
  • Workforce training and certifications
  • Examinations: CLEP, DSST, AP, and Institutional Challenge Exams
  • Credits earned at other institutions
  • Extensive self-instruction
  • Civic activities
  • Apprenticeships

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a process of evaluating your learning and awarding college credit based on the demonstration of college-level learning gained through experiences.

Western Technical College evaluates learning based on course competencies and, through various methods of CPL assessment, you may not be required to take courses that you can show satisfactory college-level learning. CPL is awarded only for learning and not for experience.

How to Earn Credit

You can earn credit through one of six methods or a combination of:

  1. Portfolio Assessments. A Portfolio documents your learning through a series of student-developed artifacts. Guidelines for the portfolio will be provided by the Credit for Prior Learning Specialist.

  2. Challenge Exams. These exams are created by Western Technical College faculty and are equivalent to the comprehensive final exam and may be written, oral, demonstration, or a combination of all three.

  3. Standardized Exams. National standardized exams are written by professional testing companies or private universities and are administered in licensed testing sites. Currently, Western accepts: AP, GED, CLEP, DSST, and IB scores. Certain scores are required for the course credit.

  4. Workforce Training & Certifications. National certifications and workforce trainings that have been developed to meet industry/professional standards may qualify for college credit.

  5. Military training and service. Military-connected students can be awarded credit based on college-level knowledge and/or skills gained from their military training and service (basic training, military occupational specialties, and other military coursework).

  6. Transfer credit. Students that have earned credits from another regionally accredited college/university can request to have their credits transferred to Western, saving them time and money.

For more information on the Credit for Prior Learning process and/or what qualifies as CPL, please contact CPL@westerntc.edu or fill out this request form.

Standards for Awarding CPL at Western Technical College

  1. Academic credit will be awarded only for those courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements at the college and to the student’s declared certificate, diploma, or degree program.
  2. A student may use CPL to fulfill all certificate, diploma, or degree graduation requirements except for the mandatory 25 percent residency requirement.
  3. All work assessed for CPL must meet or exceed “C” level work. Minimum cut-off scores on exams are set at “C” level work.
  4. CPL credits are not eligible for financial aid.
  5. Western Technical College does not guarantee that another university or college will accept CPL credit in transfer.

Transferability of CPL Credit

If you are planning on transferring to another post-secondary college/university, your prior learning credits may transfer with you as long as the credits are applicable to the degree or certificate you declared. Please contact the receiving institution to determine the acceptability of transferring credit for prior learning.

Appeals Process

If you were not awarded credit for prior learning, you can have the decision reviewed by following these steps:

  • Submit a typewritten statement to the Credit for Prior Learning Specialist no later than 14 business days following the communication of the decision. The request must detail the basis for the allegation that the decision regarding credit for prior learning was arbitrary and capricious and must present the relevant evidence.
  • The division dean or designee will review the statement and may request to meet with you to gain further information.
  • The dean will make a final decision after full consideration of the information. Within one week of receiving the appeal, the dean will communicate the final decision regarding the request for credit for prior learning to you and the Credit for Prior Learning Specialist.
  • The decision of the division dean is final. You will be expected to abide by the final disposition of the review and may not seek further review of the matter under any procedure within Western Technical College.
Your Experience Counts

Contact Western to get credit for your prior learning.

Wondering where to start?

Visit the Welcome Center or call 608-785-9200. Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Western is closed Fridays in June and July.

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