Credit for Prior Learning

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You may have already completed a portion of your degree!

Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) adult students can earn college credit for the knowledge you gained in your life and work experiences. CPL is also a great tool for high school students who have taken high school advanced placement or International Baccalaureate courses.

Delta College recognizes and values the importance of learning that occurs outside the classroom. We strive to evaluate experiences that have happened and, when possible, provide students with appropriate course credit. In short, we want to give credit where credit is due.

Benefits of Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning saves you time and money!

Save time

You can earn up to 60% of the credits required for a degree. Earning credit for prior learning eliminates the need to take classes that cover content you know already.

Save money

The cost to go through the evaluation process is lower than the cost for the class and in some cases, costs nothing!

Perhaps you learned a skill during your service in the military or while at a place of business, took an exam such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB), or earned a certification like Emergency Medical Technician, you could be on your way to earning a Delta College Degree or certificate.

Ways to earn Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for industry credential (formerly known as certified training)

Academic credit can be granted for many types of training programs. You can visit MiTransfer.org or our CPL Credit Wizard to see a list of what credentials Delta College currently awards credit for. You can also discover Delta College career credential training programs that can earn you credit too!

Check out the Credit for Prior Learning Wizard

Steps to receive credit:

Students can research industry credentials that we may grant credit for. Contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions about your credential.
Student submits credential or license to the Registrar's Office.

Credit for high school Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses

Some course credit is available to students who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) exams while in high school. For more information on which exams and required scores we accept, please see our CPL Wizard. Please note that AP exams are only available to high school students through their local high school.

Several area high schools have also implemented the International Baccalaureate (IB) degree program. For more information on which exams/programs and required scores we accept, please see our CPL Wizard. If you have questions regarding IB credit contact your high school IB Coordinator, or the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Please note that IB exams are only available to high school students through their local high school.

Steps to receive credit:

Student contacts the College Board or IBO to request records be sent directly to Delta College.
The Registrar's Office reviews the score report and updates the student record accordingly. The Registrar's Office will contact the student once reviewed.

Credit for military training

Basic and specialized training may earn you credit.

Steps to receive credit:

Student requests Joint Services Transcript be sent directly to Delta College Registrar's Office.
Student provides the Registrar's Office with a copy of certified DD214.
Registrar's Office evaluates coursework and adds appropriate credit to student's record.
Courses completed at accredited military colleges, such as The Community College of the Air Force, may result in the awarding of transfer credit via the standard transfer process. Student requests official transcripts be sent directly to Delta College Registrar's Office.

Exam by third party

Take an exam, earn a high enough score and get class credit. Delta College accepts College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES/DSST).

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Steps to receive credit:

Verify that you can receive CLEP credit for your expected class by reviewing the CPL Wizard.
Create an account with College Board.
Select the exam and pay the examination fee directly to College Board.
Note: Due to CLEP regulations, we are unable to accommodate students who register for a remote appointment. Please make sure you choose the option for testing at a Test Center when registering for your CLEP exam.
Contact the Cashier's office at 989-686-9394 to arrange payment of the $35 administration fee payable directly to Delta College; non-refundable and non-transferable.
Email the Delta College Testing Center at testingcenter@delta.edu with your CLEP ticket and receipt information.
Upon receipt of above, you will be contacted to schedule your appointment and to receive final instruction.
Arrive on time for your appointment, and bring your government-issued ID with you.
1. Certain members of the U.S. Armed Services, veterans, their spouses, and civilian employees may be eligible for DANTES funding to take a CLEP exam. Proper Military ID is required on the day of testing. All DANTES eligible service members will be required to pay Delta College's administrative fee of $35, or $25 for active military.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES/DSST)

DANTES exams are designed to help active military members and veterans pursue their educational goals and earn degrees during and after their service. DSST Exams are now available to all students, not just active military. For more information, please visit getcollegecredit.com.

Steps to receive credit:

Contact the Testing Center at testingcenter@delta.edu or 989-686-9182 to schedule an appointment.
Contact the Cashier's office at 989-686-9394 to arrange payment of the $35 administration fee payable directly to Delta College; non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please arrive on time for your scheduled exam, and bring your government-issued ID with you to your appointment.
Please be sure to bring a credit or debit card with you. You will pay the vendor at the time of testing.
1. Certain members of the U.S. Armed Services, veterans, their spouses, and civilian employees may be eligible for DANTES funding to take a CLEP exam. Proper Military ID is required on the day of testing. All DANTES eligible service members will be required to pay Delta College's administrative fee of $35, or $25 for active military.

Exam by Delta College division faculty

You have previous knowledge from work or class experiences, take an exam developed by Delta College faculty designed for that skill set or knowledge and earn credit.

Steps to receive credit:

Student researches available faculty exams in the CPL Wizard and discusses with their advisor.
Student contacts the Testing Center for exam fees, pays fees at the Cashier's office, and schedules the exam with the Testing Center or faculty.
Registrar adds appropriate credit to student's record.

Important notes

Credits earned through Credit-by-Exam will not transfer to other colleges or universities.
You may not be currently enrolled in the class, nor have taken it previously.
Credit-by-Examinations receive a pass/fail. You will not receive a grade. If you choose the credit option, credits will be posted to your transcript.
Some courses require prerequisites. Refer to the current Delta College catalog to determine if you have met the prerequisites before registering for an exam.
View all classes that offer a Credit-by-Exam on our CPL Wizard.
Fees are $60.00 per credit hour, or $35 for a waiver (no credits applied to transcript). Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
To register for a Credit-by-Exam, please locate the correct contact for the course in the above section.

Credit by portfolio (Credit for work experience)

Your work experience is valuable. Prove how you learned the course objectives and outcomes and gain class credit. Credit by portfolio is an individualized process where you submit a portfolio application, resume, personal manuscript and supporting documentation of your prior learning for faculty review and evaluation in courses you believe you have the knowledge, background and skills. It is designed for students who have gained, through related work experience, learning that may be equivalent to content taught in college courses.

Steps to receive credit:

Student speaks to Student Success Advisor about whether process would be appropriate.
Student seeks confirmation on eligible course from Registrar and is provided with Guidebook.
Student meets with program coordinator and the coordinator will provide the student with the portfolio application.
Student pays fee ($60 per credit hour) and submits all documents to the Registrar's Office.
Coordinator reviews materials and Registrar's Office adds approved credits to student's record.

Credit restrictions

Please be aware that the following restrictions may apply:
These options are not available in all areas of study. It is designed for occupational programs.
Credits earned through this program may not be transferable to other institutions. Check with your transfer institution before starting this process. Credit earned shows as "CR" for credit on your transcript, not a letter grade.
A maximum of 38 semester hours of transfer/other credits may be applied toward a Delta College Associate degree. See Delta College Catalog "Associate Degree Requirements".
Prior learning credits are not eligible for financial aid.
You may only apply once for credit in the same course.

Considerations and recommendations

All students are strongly encouraged to discuss credit for prior learning with their student success advisor. This will help ensure you don’t register for a class in which you could potentially earn credit.

Before considering Credit for Prior Learning, students who are interested in transferring to four-year institutions are advised to review that institution’s policies and guidelines for accepting credit for prior learning academic credit from Delta College. The manner in which transfer credit is accepted and/or applied varies by university.

Credits awarded will be applied to the student’s transcript as course credit, however no grade is earned for the course and the final grade will appear as “CR” which means credit only.