Credit for Prior Learning Policy
Effective: 8-25-16
Version History: Approved by Teaching and Learning Committee: 10-07-2015; revised 2-24-2016; approved by EVCAA 8-25-16. Revised by the Curriculum Subcommittee fall 2025 and the Faculty Senate spring 2026, with shared governance and campus input spring 2026; UCC confirmation April 17, 2026; EVCP approval June 5, 2026.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Policy contact(s): Jennifer Mencl, Tracey Bolen (Registrar)
Credit-based coursework from accredited institutions of higher education do not fall within this policy (for such credit-based coursework, refer to UMD’s Transfer of Undergraduate Credit policy).
Types of prior learning: The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) recognizes that significant college-level learning can take place in many forms outside of the traditional, higher education classroom. Such learning may have resulted from participation in certain government, military, employment, and other graded or non-graded activities/courses. The types of demonstrated college-level course equivalencies gained through learning experiences outside of the college classroom that UMD recognizes for credit or course waivers include:
Selected nationally recognized, standardized exams including College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Dantes Subject Standardized Test (DSST), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Military training reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation Service
College-level coursework that is delivered by online education platforms and reviewed by the ACE Credit Recommendation Service or National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) (e.g., StraighterLine, Sophia Learning)
Non-credit industry-recognized credentials, competency-based experiences, and military career specializations completed in organizations other than institutions of higher education
Documentation of prior learning: Specific documentation to initiate the assessment of prior learning depends upon the type of prior learning:
Nationally recognized, standardized exams: Students are responsible for having their official exam scores sent to UMD Admissions Processing ([email protected]) (See also: Credit for Nationally Recognized Exams: Undergraduate Students).
Military training reviewed by the ACE Credit Recommendation Service: Students are responsible for submitting an official ACE Transcript or official Joint Services Transcript to UMD Admissions Processing ([email protected]).
College-level coursework that is delivered by online education platforms and reviewed by the ACE Credit Recommendation Service or NCCRS: Students are responsible for submitting an official ACE Transcript, NCCRS Transcript, or an official transcript provided by the organization to UMD Admissions Processing ([email protected]).
Non-credit industry-recognized credentials, competency-based experiences, and military career specializations completed in organizations other than institutions of higher education: Students are responsible for submitting student-prepared portfolios (portfolio details are provided in the Credit for Prior Learning (Undergraduate) Request form) or may seek department approval to take a departmental exam based on the requirements specified in the campus’s Departmental Exams for Proficiency or Credit: Undergraduate Students policy.
Prior learning decisions: Prior learning that meets UMD standards to earn credit may be evaluated as a direct UMD course equivalent, a non-equivalent elective course with a UMD designator, or an undesignated non-equivalent elective course (i.e., TRAN); all prior learning credit awarded is non-resident credit. Prior learning that does not meet the standards to earn credit is not accepted for course credit. Prior learning may be evaluated as a course waiver rather than course credit.
Prior learning specific to an academic discipline at UMD will be evaluated by a faculty member within the respective academic department. If the faculty member determines the prior learning is not equivalent to a UMD course and it is not appropriate for a non-equivalent elective course in the department, then the Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) (undergraduate education) will evaluate the prior learning to determine whether it may be assigned credit as an undesignated non-equivalent course (i.e., TRAN). The AVC will also evaluate prior learning that is evaluated to be a non-equivalent elective course or a TRAN course to determine whether it meets one or more Liberal Education Program requirements in accordance with the campus’s program at the time of the evaluation.
Prior learning evaluated as an equivalent course will earn the number of credits assigned to the course in the catalog at the time of the evaluation. Prior learning evaluated as an elective or TRAN course will be assigned a number of credits by the evaluator.
Prior learning course substitutes or waivers of academic program requirements (major, minor, certificate) will be determined by the department that administers the academic program. Prior learning substitutes or waivers for the Liberal Education Program will be determined by the Associate Vice Chancellor (undergraduate education).
Prior learning evaluated as a course waiver for an academic program requirement are processed through APAS exceptions rather than transcripted credit.
Grades and GPA: Credits awarded through the evaluation of prior learning are posted on student transcripts in the credit summary area as “other credit” and with the grade symbol “T,” which does not have grade points. Because “T” has no grade points, credits for prior learning evaluations are not included in the student’s GPA.
Maximum total credits: No more than 30 semester credits will be applied to a student’s academic record awarded through the combination of all evaluations of prior learning types identified in #1.
Maximum program credits: No more than one-half of an academic program, including majors, minors, and certificates as well as the Liberal Education Program, may be met through the application of prior learning evaluation decisions.
Standard graduation requirements: Students must meet all UMD graduation policy requirements, including fulfilling the Liberal Education Program, meeting declared academic program requirements (undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits), and meeting campus residency requirements (refer to UMD’s Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees, Minors, and Certificates policy).
Transferability: Transcripted credits based upon prior learning evaluation made by other institutions will be evaluated by UMD to determine transferability in accordance with UMD academic policies. Credits awarded through evaluation of prior learning by UMD may not transfer to other University of Minnesota campuses or to institutions outside of the University of Minnesota without reevaluation by their faculty in accordance with their academic policies.
Portfolio evaluation:
Specialized accreditation: Programs with specialized accreditation must follow the standards set forth by their accreditation agencies for awarding credit for life experience.
Fees: If academic credit is assigned for prior learning through the portfolio evaluation process, then the student must pay the UMD-approved “Credit-by-Examination (per credit)” fee (Fees | Duluth One Stop Student Services / other fees). If program requirements are waived using prior learning portfolio evaluation and credit is not assigned, then no fee is charged.
Request deadline: Students who have been admitted to UMD may request evaluations of prior learning, and they must do so through the portfolio evaluation process. Any request for prior learning evaluations must be made within one year after matriculation or completion of the experience(s).
Related procedure and form:
Credit for Prior Learning (Undergraduate) Request
Related policy:
Credit for Prior Learning for Graduate Careers: Duluth Campus