Credit for Prior Learning FAQs

Any undergraduate student is eligible for CPL if they have room in their degree program to accept additional credit.

You can begin CPL options, such as exams, certifications, trainings etc., at any time, even before applying to SPS. For example, you might have taken an AP exam in high school, received military training, or earned a professional certification. However, CPL credit can only be transcripted once you’re officially enrolled as an undergraduate student at SPS. After enrollment, eligible CPL can be reviewed and applied to your academic record.

CPL is not tied to semester dates, so you can start as soon as you become a student or even during the application process. The only firm deadline is that all CPL methods must be completed and submitted before the graduation application deadline of your final semester.

To stay on track, we recommend completing your CPL options before your last semester. This gives you time to adjust if an option becomes unavailable, an exam is harder than expected, or your portfolio doesn’t earn credit. This can help ensure you can still take the necessary courses and graduate on time.

No. CUNY SPS does not charge a fee to add accepted CPL credit to your transcript.

It may. Some graduate programs require specific required undergraduate courses with letter grades. If you’re considering CPL for one of those courses, it’s worth checking the requirements of the programs you’re interested in. In some cases, taking the course for a grade may be a better option than using CPL. Talk to your advisor, the CPL department or your program department to decide what’s best for your goals.

Yes. You can earn up to 45 credits through CPL options, exams, portfolios, and non-collegiate learning. 

However, CPL and transfer credits combined cannot exceed 105 credits toward your degree. Additionally, all students must complete at least 15 credits at SPS to meet the residency requirements. 

In exceptional cases, you may request CPL credit beyond the 45 credit limit. 

If you’re unsure of your options or need help finalizing a plan, the Experiential Learning Department can help review your options and create a plan that works for your goals. Contact them at PLA@sps.cuny.edu.

Start by checking Degree Works in CUNYfirst to see which courses you still need to complete your degree. 

If you’re unsure which CPL options might work for you, reach out to the Experiential Learning Department for guidance. 
Email: PLA@sps.cuny.edu

No, PLA 300 is a one-time mandatory course. You only need to take it once.

Yes, you can submit multiple portfolios, but only one at a time. Your first portfolio must be assessed before you begin your second.

No, you only register for PLA 300. If your portfolio passes assessment, you will earn credit for the matched course without needing to enroll in it.

No, PLA 300 teaches you how to build a strong portfolio, but credit is only awarded after you submit your portfolio and it earns a score of 75% or higher during assessment.

They represent Common Core requirement areas. Here's what each abbreviation stands for: 

• CE - Creative Expression
• CO - College Option
• EC - English Composition
• IS - Individual & Society
• LPS - Life & Physical Science
• MQR - Math & Quantitative Reasoning
• SW - Scientific World
• US - US Experience in its Diversity
• WCGI - World Cultures & Global Issues

To receive credit, you must submit an official transcript or score report to TransferCPL@sps.cuny.edu. CLEP and AP scores are sent electronically to CUNY SPS. If you're unsure whether your scores have been received, contact TransferCPL@sps.cuny.edu for confirmation. You can also reach out to the CPL department at PLA@sps.cuny.edu for additional support.

Exams have credit recommendation dates set by either the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). These organizations periodically reevaluate exams to determine if they still meet college-level learning standards. 

In most cases, exams continue to be accepted without issue. However, occasionally the review process takes longer than expected, or an exam requires updates, making it temporarily unavailable. 

We monitor these changes closely and will update the CPL page if an exam becomes unavailable or is reinstated.

Once your credit is processed, it will appear in your Degree Works report—typically within 48 hours. CPL credits are recorded with a “CR” grade, which means you’ve earned the credit but it does not affect your GPA.

Remote proctoring allows you to take an exam from a remote location, such as your home. A proctoring company verifies your identity and monitors the exam session using a webcam and/or specialized software. 

Because exam providers work with different proctoring companies, it's important to review the specific technical requirements before registering. These typically include a computer, webcam, microphone, and speakers. Some companies may not support Mac devices, so be sure to check compatibility before paying for remote proctoring.

You can take exams at any point during your time at SPS as they are not tied to semester schedules. You may begin as soon as you become a student or even during the application process. The only firm deadline is that all exams must be completed and submitted before the graduation application deadline in your final semester.

No, CUNY SPS does not administer or host exams directly. To take an exam, you must register and complete it through the appropriate exam provider. SPS accepts credit from approved exams but does not facilitate the testing process.

It means that we do not currently accept it for credit. However, this page is regularly updated as new credentials are reviewed and added.

Start by checking whether your credential has a current recommendation from the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). You should also visit CUNY Transfer Explorer to see if another CUNY college grants credit for that credential. 

If your credential is recommended by ACE or NCCRS, and/or accepted by another CUNY institution, you may submit the information to the CPL department at PLA@sps.cuny.edu for review. However, please note that CUNY SPS does not guarantee credit unless the credential has been formally evaluated and is listed on the CUNY SPS CPL page. 

However, if CPL credit for your credential already appears on your official CUNY transcript from another CUNY college, CUNY SPS will accept that credit as part of your academic record

Some credentials, licenses, and trainings may be eligible for a large number of credits. However, not all of those credits may apply to your remaining degree requirements. In many cases, you'll only receive credit for what fits into your program—any additional credits may be considered excess and won't count toward your degree. 

This is why it's important to review your Degree Works report to see which requirements you still need to complete and whether the CPL option you're submitting aligns with those remaining courses.