Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) can be awarded to students matriculated (enrolled) into a degree or certificate program, or those pursuing a microcredential. Credit will be based on documented experiential learning which may consist of college-level learning outside of the traditional learning environment for academic credit.

CPL can be awarded based on the following criteria:

• Credit for Licensure or Certification

• OCC Workforce Programs and Stackable Credits

• OCC Departmental Exams

• Standardized Exams

• Military Credits

• Portfolio, Professional Experience, and Proficiency

Credit for Licensure or Certification

OCC has established the following equivalencies for various professional licensures and certifications. Please note that credit will only be awarded if the equivalency is applicable to your current degree program. Additionally, based on the requirements of your program, you may receive credit for some courses in the equivalency but not all. The total number of credits in the chart below is the maximum number that will be awarded for a particular credential.

For all certifications that have expiration dates, the expiration date must be after the last day of the semester during which the credit is requested.

To earn credit, please submit a copy of your certification/license, as well as any other required documentation based on the chart above, to transfereval@sunyocc.edu. If the selected equivalency requires a departmental exam, someone from the department will reach out to start that process upon receipt of your request.

If you have a license or certification that is not listed above, please still email us at transfereval@sunyocc.edu. Your request will be reviewed by the appropriate department.

OCC Workforce Programs and Stackable Credits

Successful completion of certain Workforce programs at OCC can stack to credit if you decide to matriculate into a credit-bearing degree or certificate program. Please note that to earn the credits, the course equivalency must be applicable to the degree or certificate program you are currently enrolled in.

If you are interested in receiving credits for an OCC Workforce program, please email us at transfereval@sunyocc.edu with your name and student ID number to request a review of your record.

OCC Departmental Exams

Some departments at OCC may award credit upon the successful completion of an exam that helps determine your skills and proficiency in a certain subject matter. Please note that credit will only be awarded if the equivalency is applicable to your current degree or certificate program. Additionally, based on the requirements of your program or your score on the exam, you may receive credit for some courses in the equivalency but not all. The total number of credits in the chart below is the maximum number that will be awarded for a particular credential.

If you are interested in completing a departmental exam, please contact us at transfereval@sunyocc.edu with your name, student ID number, and any required documentation. We will put you in touch with the appropriate department and will award credits based on the department’s recommendation at the conclusion of your exam.

Standardized Exams

OCC awards credit based on the Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams based on various exam scores. The minimum scores and equivalencies are listed in the chart that you can download by clicking the link below.

*Please note: Credit equivalencies for any exam highlighted in YELLOW have not yet been determined. If you have completed one of the highlighted exams, your record will be reviewed individually to make a credit determination.

To receive credit, please request your CollegeBoard AP or CLEP transcripts, or your IB transcripts be sent to OCC directly at transfereval@sunyocc.edu. If you meet the minimum score and the equivalency is applicable to your program, you will see the test in the “Test Scores” section of MyOCC, and you will see the actual credits that were awarded listed as “Prior Learning Credit” with a grade of “TR” in the “My Progress” section of MyOCC.

Military Credits

OCC awards credits for military coursework as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). To receive credit, please request your official transcripts through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) website if you are/were in the military, or through the Community College of the Air Force if you are/were in the Air Force. Official transcripts should be sent directly to transfereval@sunyocc.edu. If your military coursework is applicable to your current program at OCC, you will see the credits on your record as “Prior Learning Credit” with a grade of “TR” in the “My Progress” section of Student Planning.

Portfolio, Professional Experience and Proficiency

If your prior learning does not fall into one of the categories above, the academic departments at OCC also offer individual assessments of your portfolio or professional credentials. Required materials are determined by the department and may vary by course.

To earn credit, please reach out to the Department Chairperson associated with the course(s) you believe you should have credit for. They will assist you with the review and completion of the Experiential Credit form. There is a cost of $19 for each credit that is awarded. This means that one 3-credit class will cost $57.00. Once credits are awarded, they will be on your record as “Prior Learning Credit” with a grade of “TR” in the “My Progress” section of Student Planning.