Kim Panzer
Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer Credit
Student Success Center
716 Badger Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Contact Western to get credit for your prior learning.
Credit for Prior Learning
Earn Credit for What You Already Know Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)!
We recognize you may have acquired valuable knowledge and skills outside of Western. This learning could have been attained through such sources as:
- Work/volunteer experience
- Military training and service
- Workforce training and certifications
- Examinations: CLEP, DSST, AP, and Institutional Challenge Exams
- Credits earned at other institutions
- Extensive self-instruction
- Civic activities
- Apprenticeships
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a process of evaluating your learning and awarding college credit based on the demonstration of college-level learning gained through experiences.
Western Technical College evaluates learning based on course competencies and, through various methods of CPL assessment, you may not be required to take courses that you can show satisfactory college-level learning. CPL is awarded only for learning and not for experience.
How to Earn Credit
You can earn credit through one of six methods or a combination of:
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Portfolio Assessments. A Portfolio documents your learning through a series of student-developed artifacts. Guidelines for the portfolio will be provided by the Credit for Prior Learning Specialist.
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Challenge Exams. These exams are created by Western Technical College faculty and are equivalent to the comprehensive final exam and may be written, oral, demonstration, or a combination of all three.
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Standardized Exams. National standardized exams are written by professional testing companies or private universities and are administered in licensed testing sites. Currently, Western accepts: AP, GED, CLEP, DSST, and IB scores. Certain scores are required for the course credit.
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Workforce Training & Certifications. National certifications and workforce trainings that have been developed to meet industry/professional standards may qualify for college credit.
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Military training and service. Military-connected students can be awarded credit based on college-level knowledge and/or skills gained from their military training and service (basic training, military occupational specialties, and other military coursework).
- Transfer credit. Students that have earned credits from another regionally accredited college/university can request to have their credits transferred to Western, saving them time and money.
For more information on the Credit for Prior Learning process and/or what qualifies as CPL, please contact CPL@westerntc.edu or fill out this request form.
Your Experience Counts