What is Credit for Prior Learning?
At UAlbany, we know college-level learning often happens outside the classroom. Credit for Prior Learning allows UAlbany students to earn academic credit for work experience, professional certification and licensing programs, military service, non-credit coursework and more.
Please email [email protected] with any questions about Credit for Prior Learning.
Eligibility for Prior Learning Evaluation
Considering Credit for Prior Learning early in your academic career with maximize its benefits toward your degree.
To be eligible for a Credit for Prior Learning evaluation, you must be a matriculated (degree-seeking) undergraduate student at UAlbany.
Application of Prior Learning Credits
Students cannot earn more than 30 prior learning credits, which are considered transfer credits. Students cannot apply more than 90 transfer credits toward bachelor’s degree requirements.
Prior learning credits are awarded as elective credit through UUNI 252 (lower-division) and UUNI 352 (upper-division). Lower-division credits cannot be applied to upper-division degree requirements.
Students cannot earn more than 30 credits for UUNI 252, UUNI 352, Applied Electives and Physical Education courses.
Students who want prior learning credit(s) to fulfill major and/or minor requirements must obtain approval from their academic department after the elective credit has been awarded.
Prior learning credit(s) cannot replace a failing grade or duplicate previously earned course credit.
How can I earn credit for my prior learning?
Credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning, not just the experience itself.
Students who wish to have prior learning evaluated for credit should complete the Credit for Prior Learning Interest Form. Please use the guidance below to determine what, if any, documentation you should submit with the interest form.
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Professional Certifications & Licenses
Students who have earned professional certifications and licenses through programs evaluated by the American Council on Education's National Guide or the National College Credit Recommendation Services may be granted elective credit(s).
Students will be required to provide:
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Official documentation from the issuing organization (Documentation must be issued directly to the University from the organization. Documentation provided to the University directly from the student will not be accepted.)
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Contact information for the organization for the University to verify completion of the credential
Note: Submitting documentation does not guarantee credit will be granted.
Military Service
Students who have completed military courses and/or served in the military may be eligible for elective credit(s) as recommended by the American Council on Education's Military Guide.
Veterans and active personnel from all U.S. military branches can access a transcript showing their experience.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard transcripts are called Joint Services Transcripts (JST). Air Force transcripts come from the Community College of the Air Force.
Students will be required to provide:
-
Official documentation from the issuing organization (Documentation must be issued directly to the University from the organization. Documentation provided to the University directly from the student will not be accepted.)
-
Contact information for the organization for the University to verify completion of the credential
Note: Submitting documentation does not guarantee credit will be granted.
Exams
UAlbany awards credit by exam in two ways — and students can take advantage of both options.
Exam Scores Submitted during Admissions Process
Students are granted credit at the time of UAlbany admission for successfully passing the following examinations:
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels or GCEA)
- Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
Visit the First-year Admissions, Transfer Admissions and International Admissions webpages for detailed submission guidance.
Exam Scores Submitted before or after Admission
Students can also be granted credit and/or placement for successfully passing College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. CLEP’s Subject Examinations and General Examinations can be taken by anyone.
| CLEP Test Name | CLEP Test Score | UAlbany Equivalent(s) | Total UAlbany Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | AENG E10 | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | AENG E10 | 3 |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | AENG E10 | 3 |
| English Composition (with Essay) | 50 | AENG 100Z AENG E10 | 6 |
| English Literature | 50 | AENG E10 | 3 |
| Humanities | 50 | AENG E10 | 3 |
| American Government | 50 | RPOS 101 | 3 |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | AHIS 100 | 3 |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 50 | AHIS 101 | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | APSY E10 | 3 |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | EPSY 200 | 3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | AECO 111 | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | AECO 110 | 3 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | APSY 101 | 3 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | AHIS E10 ACAS E10 | 6 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | ASOC 115 | 3 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | AHIS 130 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present | 50 | AHIS 131 | 3 |
| Biology | 50 | ABIO E00 ABIO E01 | 6 |
| Precalculus | 50 | AMAT 100 | 3 |
| Calculus | 50 | AMAT 112 AMAT E10 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 50 | ACHM 120 ACHM 121 | 6 |
| College Algebra | 50 | AMAT E00 | 3 |
| College Mathematics (General) | 50 | AMAT E00 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | ABIO E00 ACAS E10 | 6 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | BACC E00 | 3 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | BLAW 200 | 3 |
| Information Systems | 50 | ICSI E10 | 3 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | BMKT E00 | 3 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | BMGT E00 | 3 |
| French Language: Levels I & II | 59 | AFRE 101 AFRE 102 AFRE E10 | 9 |
| French Language: Levels I & II | 50 | AFRE 101 AFRE 102 AFRE E10 | 6 |
| Spanish Language: Levels I & II | 63 | ASPN 100 ASPN 101 ASPN E10 | 9 |
| Spanish Language: Levels I & II | 50 | ASPN 100 ASPN 101 ASPN E10 | 6 |
| Spanish with Writing: Levels I & II | 65 | ASPN 100 ASPN 101 ASPN E10 ASPN E11 | 12 |
| Spanish with Writing: Levels I & II | 50 | ASPN 100 ASPN 101 ASPN E10 ASPN E11 | 6 |
| German Language: Levels I & II | 60 | AGER 101 AGER 102 AGER E10 | 9 |
| German Language: Levels I & II | 50 | AGER 101 AGER 102 AGER E10 | 6 |
Visit the Undergraduate Bulletin for rules related to obtaining UAlbany credit by CLEP.
Students will be required to provide:
- Official documentation from the issuing organization (Documentation must be issued directly to the University from the organization. Documentation provided to the University directly from the student will not be accepted.)
- Contact information for the organization for the University to verify completion of the credential
Students can send CLEP test scores to UAlbany using these instructions.
Note: Submitting documentation does not guarantee credit will be granted.