Turn Your Experience Into College Credit
Central Maine Community College recognizes that learning can take place in many settings, including the workplace, military service, professional training, and prior education. Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), students may be able to earn academic credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside the traditional classroom.
What is Credit for Prior Learning?
Central Maine Community College supports the success of adult learners by the American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations for military training and occupations, workplace training, and nontraditional education experiences.
We recognize the value of college-level knowledge & experience students may have acquired outside of the traditional college classroom.
Your past professional and college-level work, independent reading and study, corporate training programs, in-service courses, volunteer services or other experiences, are an important part of who you are. Use what you have learned from experiences outside of the classroom and transform into college credit at Central Maine Community College, expediting the path to a degree.
Getting Started
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning should work with their academic advisor to determine which options may apply to their educational goals.
Review available Credit for Prior Learning options.
Gather supporting documentation, transcripts, certifications, or exam results.
Meet with your advisor to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Complete any required evaluation or assessment process.
CPL Options
CMCC offers several methods for evaluating prior learning and determining whether college credit may be awarded.
Transfer Credit
If you’ve earned college credit, let us know! Transfer credits are evaluated and awarded to students once accepted into a program of study at Central Maine Community College. As long as the coursework you want to transfer is equivalent to our requirements, and passed with a grade of C or better, we will award transfer credit.
Articulation Agreements
Central Maine Community College has formal agreements with a wide range of high schools, tech centers, and adult learning centers throughout Maine and New England. Students attending these, and who choose to attend Central Maine Community College, may participate in designated classes and receive college credit for their work.
Credential Review
Professional credentials are a great way of proving knowledge in an area or of a skill set. Central Maine Community College recognizes professional credentials for credit. Registered, current degree-seeking students may qualify to receive academic credit by presenting proof of a current and valid professional credential.
Challenge Exams
Central Maine Community College offers matriculated students the opportunity to take a challenge examination in lieu of a catalog course for which the student believes they are knowledgeable.
National Exams
Successfully passing a national examination program is a great way to establish knowledge in an area of study, and earn college credit at CMCC!
FLATS Exams
CMCC offers matriculated students the opportunity to earn academic credit in over 50 languages through Brigham Young University’s (BYU) Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS).
Portfolio Review
A Portfolio Review may be a good option for students who have first considered other prior learning options.
A prior learning portfolio is an extensive written presentation of evidence of knowledge assembled by the student. Portfolios are reviewed by a faculty member under the direction of the Office of Academic Affairs. The award of prior learning portfolio credit is dependent on relevancy to courses in the student’s CMCC program; including general education, major and elective courses.
Your Future at CMCC
Take the Next Step
