Earn Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for prior learning broadly describes the various methods that institutions of higher education use to evaluate learning that has occurred outside of the traditional academic environment.

Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder offers the following types of credit for prior learning opportunities:

  • Course Challenge
  • Standardized Exams
  • Credit for Learning Outside of Higher Education (Graduate Only)

For additional information on Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s policy seeÌýCredit for Prior Learning through Academic Affairs.Ìý

Course Challenge

Course Challenge provides students who have exceptional knowledge of a course’s content (typically gained outside the classroom) the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency and competency.Ìý

The academic unit sets the requirements and assessment methods necessary to evaluate the student’s proficiency of material presented through a standard offering of the course. Course Challenge requirements may include a final exam or other demonstrations of a student’s knowledge of and competencies in the material covered by the course, such as research papers, computer programs, portfolios, recordings or artistic works.Ìý

For information on deadlines, fees, eligibility and more, students should first carefully review theÌýCourse Challenge Request form. Students may always contact their advisor or graduate program advisor if they want to discuss how this may impact their educational record.Ìý

Once a student is ready to submit the form please email theÌýCourse Challenge Request formÌýtoÌýregistrar@colorado.edu.Ìý

Standardized Exams

In accordance with Colorado law, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder accommodates requests for credit for prior learning inÌý courses. If a corresponding exam is offered for a GT Pathways course, students will be directed to take theÌý or other available exams.Ìý

Students may earn GT Pathways credit for prior learning via:

  • Advanced Placement (AP) exams
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) exams
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams
  • DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Students must complete the exam before the first day of classes of your last semester at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. Note that any delays in receiving a CLEP score for degree conferral may push your conferral into a future semester. No exceptions are made to degree posting deadlines.

Please see the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder catalog'sÌý page for information about earning credit through exams.

Credit for Learning Outside of Higher Education (GRAD Only)

Credit for learning experiences gained in settings other than accredited institutions of higher learning is available on a limited basis. Such proposals must be initiated by an academic unit and approved by the applicable college, school or program.Ìý