Credit for Prior Learning at UMPI

When you bring previous knowledge and skills to the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), we ensure you get the credit you deserve. Through our Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, we offer flexible options to help you save time and money on your path to a degree.

How to Earn Credit for Prior Learning

Our CPL process evaluates your prior learning through several methods, allowing you to receive credit for your hard-earned knowledge.

  • ACE [American Council on Education] – Courses recognized by the American Council on Education, though taught by non-accredited training organizations, can receive UMPI credit.
  • Challenge Exams – This involves faculty developing examinations that may be administered to students wishing to demonstrate mastery of course subject material in order to earn equivalent credit.
  • CLEP and AP – The University supports nationally accredited and recognized examination options such as the College Level Examination Program [CLEP] and the Advanced Placement  Examination Program (AP), both offered by the College Board
  • DANTES – Referred to as military CLEP and guided by ACE.
  • Non-regionally Accredited Institutions – The University may assess the transfer of credit from non-regionally accredited institutions on a case-by-case basis.
  • Portfolio Assessment – Students compile a body of evidence to demonstrate their learning and/or mastery of a particular subject. UMPI charges $50 per credit hour for assessment and processing costs.

Turning your Credit for Prior Learning into college credits ensures that you can start your college career with us focused on the classes you’re ready to tackle, and complete your degree as quickly and affordably as possible. Please peruse our PLA webspace for more details about how this process works. And if you have questions, please contact our Office of Student Records Office at 207-768-9581 or email umpireg@maine.edu.

How the Credit for Prior Learning Process Works

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers several options through which a student’s previously acquired information and skills could be incorporated into their overall college program. Pertinent documentation is assembled for review by college officials and will be evaluated as quickly as possible, but may take up to several weeks.

  1. Students must be matriculated into an Associate or Bachelor’s degree program to be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning. Non-degree students and students enrolled in certificate programs of fewer than 30 credits must receive permission from the Registrar in order to be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning.
  2. Students in Associate degree programs may earn a maximum of 15 credits through Credit for Prior Learning. Students in Bachelor’s degree programs may earn a maximum of 30 credits. In other words, the combination of all forms of Credit for Prior Learning cannot exceed a total of 15 credits of an Associate’s degree and 30 credits of a Bachelor’s degree.

Students must utilize test options such as CLEP, DANTES or Challenge Exams when available. When no test option is available, students may request PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT of their Credit for Prior Learning. Portfolio Assessment may also allow students to provide evidence of successfully completing a MOOC program or OpenU work.