Credit for Prior Learning

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Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) offers admitted students alternative ways to earn college credit. Credits granted through CPL are not eligible for financial aid or veteran's education assistance. These credits will not be counted in determining part-time or full-time status.

Are you a candidate for credit for prior learning? Take our short prior learning self-assessment.

Students planning to transfer to another Minnesota State college or university should check with their transfer institution prior to working on CPL credit options.

  • Advanced Placement is administered by the College Board through which high school students complete designated college level courses in high schools and earn college credit by demonstrating a specified level of performance on AP exam.

    1. Students must request to have their AP score report sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office.
    2. Students who earn a score of 3 or higher on the examinations are awarded credit.
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    A complete list of AP exams and how they transfer is available through Transferology.

  • The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides an opportunity for students of any age to earn college credits by achieving qualifying scores on any of the CLEP exams. CLEP testing is available directly through the college board. Please visit the CLEP website for more information regarding the pricing and registration for CLEP exams. 

    1. Students must request to have their CLEP transcript sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office by signing onto your CLEP Account.
    2. For examinations completed July 2001 or later, the minimum CLEP score for acceptance of credit is 50, with higher scores required in level 2 foreign language examinations.
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    A complete list of CLEP exams and how they transfer is available through Transferology.

  • A student able to demonstrate achievement of an ARCC college-level course may receive credit toward a degree. Learning outcomes listed on the common course outline must be met. Faculty will determine the appropriate assessment option (test, demonstration, oral or written communication) for the specific course. 

    • A student must be admitted to ARCC to be eligible.
    • Assessments may not be available for all courses; these are provided at the discretion of faculty.
    • Credits will be designated on the student's official ARCC transcript as a course within the term the assessment is completed.
    • There is no limit for the total number of credits a student may earn.
    • Credits have an impact on a student’s GPA.
    • Credits are included in ARCC’s Residency requirement.
    • The non-refundable fee of $75 per credit must be paid prior to taking the assessment.
    • Not eligible for PSEO

    Student should work with an advisor to make sure course fits in with their academic program and to find the appropriate faculty member. Student should work with faculty to determine assessment option and set up a date and time to take the assessment.  Once approved by faculty, student will fill out the Course Specific Assessment Form 

  • DSST is an internet-based training program that allows you to earn college credit. DSST testing is available at the ARCC Testing Center by appointment. Please see the DSST website for exam and transcript fee.

    1. Students must request to have their DSST transcript sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office.
    2. Students who earn a score of 400 or higher on the examinations are awarded credit
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    A complete list of DSST exams and how they transfer is available through Transferology.

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) is a program in which students complete designated college level courses in high schools and earn college credit by demonstrating a specified level of performance on IB exam

    1. Students must request to have their IB Report sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office.  
    2. Students who earn a score of 4 or higher on the examinations are awarded credit.
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    A complete list of IB exams and how they transfer is available through Transferology.

  • High school students who earned Minnesota bilingual and multilingual seals and world language proficiency certificates (ACTFL) will be awarded college credit. Students must submit their seal and/or certificate with three (3) academic years of graduation from high school and upon enrollment at Anoka-Ramsey.

    Documents must be sent to the Records and Registration Office. Students who need a copy of their seal or certificate should contact their high school for assistance.

  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College is dedicated to providing services and information to support veterans and their families’ educational goals.

    1. Students must request to have their Military transcript sent to Anoka-Ramsey Community College Records and Registration Office.
      1. If you served in the US Army, Army Reserves, Army National Guard, US Navy, Navy Reserve, US Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserves, US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Reserves, visit Joint Services Transcript (JST).
      2. If you served in the US Air Force, Air Force Reserves, visit CCAF Transcript.
    1. Anoka-Ramsey accepts a maximum of 20 military credits.
    2. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

  • Minnesota Articulated College Credit (ACC) is designed to recognize a student’s successful completion of a specific course at the participating high school that is identified as equivalent to its Anoka-Ramsey counterpart.  High school students who demonstrate they have mastered specific course competencies at the high school level will receive an Articulated College Credit Certificate that will be used to acknowledge their competence in the course. 

    Articulated College Credit at Anoka-Ramsey

  • Sophia provides an opportunity for students of any age to earn college credits by achieving qualifying scores on any of the Sophia exams. Please see the Sophia website for exam and transcript fee.

    1. Students must request to have their Sophia transcript sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office.
    2. Students who earn 70% or higher on the examinations are awarded credit. Please note, Sophia courses are graded as Pass/Fail and are not accepted in the Nursing and PTA programs.
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    To see how Sophia credits transfer, click here. 

  • StraighterLine provides an opportunity for students of any age to earn college credits by achieving qualifying scores on any of the StraighterLine exams. Please see the StraighterLine website for exam and transcript fee.

    1. Students must request to have their StraighterLine transcript sent to Anoka-Ramsey Records and Registration Office.
    2. Students who earn 70% or higher on the examinations are awarded credit
    3. Courses will be recorded as transfer credit on the Anoka-Ramsey transcript and will not be used to satisfy residency credit requirement.

    To see how StraighterLine credits transfer, click here.

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