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Credit for Prior Learning

Application for Credit for Prior Learning

SUNY Canton may award credit for prior learning through a review of professional and industry certifications, licenses, and other industry acceptable credentials.

The maximum number of credit hours of prior learning (includes all combined types of prior learning assessment) that can be applied toward a certificate is 8, toward an associate degree is 15, toward a baccalaureate degree is 30, and toward a microcredential is 3. Credit for prior learning does not count for the campus graduation/residency requirements which are located at:

The cost for assessment and award of credit for prior learning for non-portfolio review is: $120/course. The cost for assessment and award of credit for prior learning for portfolio review is: $240/course.

NOTES:

  1. Students can apply for credit for prior learning only if a proficiency exam or a standardized testing exam does not exist for that course.
  2. Students must be in good standing with no holds or outstanding balances on their account in order to proceed with an application. Assessments will not be completed until all outstanding fees are paid.

SUNY Data Definitions for Credit for Prior Learning

Prior Learning Category Source/Method Definition

Portfolio Assessment

Portfolio Type (if needed)

College credit awarded based on a student portfolio (based on an interview, a performance assessment, a product assessment and/or a written narrative, along with related documentation) which has been evaluated by the institution or an external portfolio evaluation service for college-level credit.

Technical or Professional Certification or Badges

Platform/Badge or Certification

College credit awarded based on review of technical or professional certifications or badges.

Technical or Professional Licensure

Licensure Program/ Licensing Body

College credit awarded based on review of technical or professional licensure programs.

Other

Additional Methods Added as Needed

Other nontraditional course credit for the assessment of prior learning that does not fit within other categories.

Credit for Prior Learning Procedures

Non-Portfolio Review

  1. The student must complete the credit for prior learning application form and submit all relevant documentation for review.
  2. The application form and all relevant documentation will go to the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships for initial fee processing.
  3. Once processed, the application packet will then be sent to the relevant School Dean, in consultation with other School Deans as appropriate.  The School Dean will coordinate with the appropriate director, department chair and coordinator to determine the appropriate faculty reviewer associated with the program and/or microcredential.
  4. The relevant faculty member(s) will review the application and documentation to determine if the prior learning aligns with the learning objectives designated within a course. This review will take no longer than 20 business days.
  5. Once a decision has been made, the faculty member(s) will complete the credit for prior learning assessment form and include the course number, course name and credit hour(s) awarded for each application.  The credit for prior learning application, relevant student documentation, credit for prior learning assessment, and course outline must be included in the final decision packet.
  6. The final decision packet will be reviewed & signed by the relevant Dean and returned to the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships and the student will be notified of the decision within 5 business days. The complete packet will be scanned and stored by the WCIP.
  7. Once the decision is made, WCIP staff will notify the Registrar’s Office who will record credit as “CR” on the student’s official transcript under the appropriate course number.
  8. Students may appeal denied applications through the established campus Academic Grievance Policy.

Portfolio Review

  1. The student must complete the credit for prior learning application form to begin the process.
  2. The application form and all relevant documentation will go to the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships for initial fee processing.
  3. Once processed the student will be advised to enroll in the next available 1-credit portfolio design course. The portfolio must clearly evidence mastery of a preponderance of the learning outcomes as listed in the course outline(s) for a request to be viable.
  4. Once the portfolio is completed, it will be returned to the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships and will then be sent to the relevant School Dean, in consultation with other School Deans as appropriate.  The School Dean will arrange for a discipline specific faculty member affiliated with the program for review.
  5. The discipline specific faculty member(s) will review the application and portfolio to determine if the prior learning aligns with the learning objectives designated within a course. This review will take no longer than 20 business days.
  6. The discipline specific faculty member(s) will complete the credit for prior learning assessment form and include the course number, course name and credit hour(s) awarded for each application.
  7. The final decision packet will be reviewed & signed by the relevant Dean and returned to the Center for Workforce, Community & Industry Partnerships and the student will be notified of the decision within 5 business days. The complete packet will be scanned and stored by the WCIP.
  8. Once the decision is made, WCIP staff will notify the Registrar’s Office who will record credit as “CR” on the student’s official transcript under the appropriate course number.
  9. Students may appeal denied applications through the established campus Academic Grievance Policy.