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Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is academic credit that is awarded to students who can successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You could have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
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Our assessments are formally created by faculty or the department and are available in our online learning platform, D2L Brightspace. Assessments take a combination of skills approach. Students may be asked to test, demonstrate, and/or write to show their learning is college level and is equivalent to the course they are assessing. Students will also be asked to provide pieces of evidence for their learning.
The cost of assessment is about $110 per credit. Inver Hills has been offering Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) opportunities for over 20 years.
Below are the options available. These options are subject to change due to catalog or class changes, and potentially faculty assessor availability.
Our institution provides credit for successful scores on several CLEP® exams. The table lists the exam(s) for which credit is granted, the required score, and the equivalent course you would bypass. Accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities, CLEP® exams let students show their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects. With a qualifying score on any of the 33 CLEP® exams, students can earn three or more credits and place out of the corresponding course.
How do I prepare for a CLEP® exam?
CLEP® study materials can be found on the CLEP® website. Access sample test questions, exam topics, and other suggested study resources.
Modern States – Free online prep courses
Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit organization intended to let students earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense. Modern States offers 30 high quality prep courses, taught by some of the world's leading universities and professors. Each course includes online lectures, quizzes, tests, and other features. Textbooks and materials will also be provided online, free of charge.
The courses are designed to prepare students for the major "Advanced Placement" (AP)* or "College Level Examination Program" (CLEP®)* tests offered by the College Board, including subjects such as History, Computer Science, Math, English and Economics. Once you have completed the prep course with Modern States you can then Request a CLEP® Voucher from the Modern States website for a free CLEP® exam.
How do I get credit for CLEP®?
When you register for a CLEP® exam, request that a copy of your score report be sent to your college. After receiving your score, the college will decide whether or not to award you credit for, or to exempt you from, one or more courses based on its CLEP® credit policy.
Military Service Members
(Includes Active Duty/Reserves/National Guard): There's no exam fee for the first attempt of each CLEP® test, but you may have to pay the college's administration fee. If you test at a fully funded test center, the administration fee is waived. Military personnel must present military ID. Check the CLEP® website for eligibility requirements.
The AP Program offers college-level courses and exams that you can take in high school. AP courses allow you to save time and money by earning college credit in high school. Check out the AP Website for more information.
The IB is education for students from age 3 to 19, comprising of four programs that focus on teaching students to think critically and independently, but also how to inquire with care and logic. The IB prepares students to succeed in a world where facts and fiction merge in the news, and where asking the right questions is a crucial skill that will allow them to flourish long after they’ve left our programs. For more information go to the IB website.
Many industry trainings and certificates can potentially be worth credit. Our faculty have examined the credential in their area and have aligned them to IHCC courses. If you have any of these credentials that align with the program you are taking at Inver Hills, contact us and present a copy of your current-non-expired certificate or training. This list is subject to change at any time, so please check with us.
| Exam/Certification | Course No. | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ Certification (2 Exams) | ITC 2000 | PC Hardware and Software (A+) | 3 |
| LPI Linux Essentials | ITC 1480 | Linux Essentials | 3 |
| Microsoft MD-100: Windows 10 | ITC 2410 | Installing and Configuring Windows Clients | 3 |
| Microsoft MD-101: Managing Modern Desktops | ITC 2420 | Configuring Windows Devices | 3 |
| Microsoft 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016 | ITC 2430 | Installing and Configuring Windows Servers | 3 |
| Microsoft 70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016 | ITC 2440 | Windows Server Identity & Directory Services | 3 |
| Microsoft 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016 | ITC 2450 | Windows Server Networking | 3 |
| Cisco CCNA | ITC 2510 | Introduction to Networks (CCNA1) | 3 |
| Cisco CCNA | ITC 2520 | Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials (CCNA 2) | 3 |
| Cisco CCNA | ITC 2530 | Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation (CCNA 3) | 3 |
| Cisco 350-401: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) Exam | ITC 2611 | Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (CCNP 1) | 3 |
| Cisco 300-410: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI) Exam | ITC 2621 | Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (CCNP 2) | 3 |
| Cisco 300-430: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSI) Exam | ITC 2710 | Wireless LAN Technology | 3 |
| Cisco 350-801: Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (CLCOR) Exam | ITC 2720 | Building the Foundation to IP Telephony | 3 |
| Cisco 300-815: Implementing Cisco Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services (CLACCM) Exam | ITC 2730 | Quality of Service (QoS) | 2 |
| Cisco 300-810: Implementing Cisco Collaboration Applications (CLICA) Exam | ITC 2740 | Cisco IP Telephony Integration Part I | 3 |
| Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops Certification (2 Exams) | ITC 2810 | CCNA Cybersecurity Operations | 3 |
| Cisco 350-701: Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR) Exam | ITC 2820 | Information Systems Security Advanced | 3 |
| Cisco 300-710: Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (SNCF) Exam | ITC 2830 | Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (CCNA Security) | 3 |
| CompTIA IT Fundamentals | ITC 1400 | IT Fundamentals | 3 |
| Per faculty: if a student qualifies for both ITC 2510 and ITC 2520 we would give them credit for ITC 2515 instead, same for ITC 2530/2540 = ITC 2535 | |||
| Microsoft Word 2013 or 2016 | BUS 1170 | Microsoft Word | 3 |
| Microsoft Excel 2013 or 2016 | BUS 1171 | Introduction to Excel | 1 |
| Microsoft Power Point 2013 or 2016 | BUS 1173 | Microsoft PowerPoint | 1 |
| FINRA Series 6 & 7 | BUS 2250 | Contemporary Business Topics | 3 |
| FINRA Series 62 & 65 | BUS 2250 | Contemporary Business Topics | 3 |
| QuickBooks and Excel 2013 or 2016 | ACCT 2241 | QuickBooks and Excel for Business | 3 |
| SHRM-CP or PHR Human Resource Certification | BUS 1119, BUS 1141, BUS 1143, BUS 1145, BUS 2130 | Human Relations in Business, Workforce Planning, Total Reward and Compensation, Risk Management, Employment Law for Business | 15 |
| SHRM-SCP or SPHR Human Resource Certification | BUS 1119, BUS 1122, BUS 1141, BUS 1143, BUS 1145, BUS 2130 | Human Relations in Business, Human Resources Management, Workforce Planning, Total Reward and Compensation, Risk Management, Employment Law for Business | 18 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | BUS 1176, BUS 2021, BUS 2320 | Project Management Software, Principles of Management, Project Management and Planning Skills | 9 |
| Program Management Professional (PgMP) | BUS 1176, BUS 2021, BUS 2320 | Project Management Software, Principles of Management, Project Management and Planning Skills | 9 |
| Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) | BUS 1176, BUS 2021, BUS 2320 | Project Management Software, Principles of Management, Project Management and Planning Skills | 9 |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | BUS 2320 | Project Management and Planning Skills | 3 |
| PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) | BUS 2320 | Project Management and Planning Skills | 3 |
| PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) | BUS 2320 | Project Management and Planning Skills | 3 |
| National Registry Paramedic | EMS: 1122, 1130, 1131, 1188, 2420, 2430, 2440, 2460, 2470, 2488, 2530, 2540, 2560, 2570, 2580, 2588 | Equivalent Credit for Paramedic Certification Experience | 40 |
| State of Minnesota Paramedic Certification | EMS: 1122, 1130, 1131, 1188, 2420, 2430, 2440, 2460,2470, 2488, 2530, 2540, 2560, 2570, 2580, 2588 | Equivalent Credit for Paramedic Certification Experience | 40 |
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