Earn Credit for What You Already Know
Save time and money on your degree or certificate program by earning credit for what you already know.
The Maricopa Community Colleges are committed to the idea that people deserve credit for verifiable college-level learning, no matter how it was acquired. Many people have developed learning outside of the traditional classroom. This evaluation of credit is referred to as Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Prior learning can be identified and assessed in a variety of ways to determine if college credit should be awarded. Credit is awarded only to certificate or degree-seeking students who: (1) plan to enroll, and (2) are admitted and matriculated within the college awarding the credit.
CPL credit may be applied toward a degree program, certificate, plan prerequisites, general education, plan requirements, plan electives, and general electives that count toward the student’s elected pathway. Some restrictions may apply depending on the specific program of study.
Explore the available programs and their associated forms below. Credits awarded for credentials may be utilized to meet requirements for a variety of programs. Please work with your academic advisor to determine applicability.
Process and Policies
To qualify for CPL credit, you must:
- Be an active MCC student with an MEID and with an eligible Academic Plan Code listed as your declared major.
- If you are new to Mesa Community College, follow the Enrollment Steps for a New Student.
- If you have not taken MCC courses in the past three semesters, you are a returning student and must reapply and be re-admitted to MCC by following the Enrollment Steps for Returning Students.
- Have a valid, active certification or license. All licenses, certifications, and/or training certificates will be reviewed for validity.
- Submit an application, attaching your applicable documentation.
Note: If you have not discussed or met with an Academic Advisor to review your approved CPL credits, please make an appointment as this may impact your plan and course schedule.
Existing Opportunities
Once you have submitted a CPL request, please allow at least 14 business days for your submission to be reviewed and credit to be applied to your academic record. See the full list of available current CPL opportunities below.
New Opportunities
If your specific prior learning is not listed, a new CPL may be requested by contacting to the Office of the Deans of Instruction at [email protected].
If you are using CPL credits related to industry certification, license, or transfer coursework to meet degree requirements, you must still meet MCCCD Administrative Regulation 2.3.9 General Graduation Requirements.
Candidates for graduation must satisfy institutional residency requirements for Mesa Community College to issue a certificate or degree. Institutional residency means that a specified number of credits must be earned through enrollment and successful completion of college courses which pertain to the program of study. Graduates must complete the minimum number of credits required for the certificate or degree and residency requirements as follows:
- For Bachelor’s degrees, at least 30 credits applicable to the degree must be completed at the awarding college.
- For Associate’s degrees, at least 15 credits applicable to the degree must be completed at the awarding college.
- For certificates that are 15 or more credits, at least 6 credits applicable to the certificate must be completed at the awarding college.
Credits may or may not transfer, depending on the school. Per MCCCD Administrative Regulation 2.2.4, “[i]f pursuing a transfer degree (AA, ABUS, AS, AAEE, AAFA, or Articulated Academic Degree Program), transfer credit and [CPL] will be granted for the purpose of satisfying Maricopa graduation requirements. Because credits may not transfer to all colleges or universities, contact your transferring institution to determine their transfer credit and [CPL] requirements and policies.”
Current Credit for Prior Learning Opportunities
Explore the available programs and their associated forms below. Please note, in order to access and complete a form, you must be an active MCC student and have an MEID.
Please allow time as all credentials will be reviewed for validity.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Per MCCCD Administrative Regulation 2.2.4, Mesa Community College does not assess a fee for reviewing or granting CPL credit.
Yes. If you have multiple certifications or licenses, you may apply using the various forms available or request that new pathways be developed. However, submitting the same license or certification will not earn you additional credit.
In general, your license or certification must be active. However, students are encouraged to explore the individual forms for credential requirements.
No. Per Administrative Regulation 2.2.4, “Students seeking an associate degree may be awarded no more than 45 credit hours through [CPL], unless required by a specific program of study within the Maricopa Community Colleges. Up to 60 credits earned through [CPL] can be applied to a Bachelor’s degree. Evaluated credit from post-secondary institutions and military credit as indicated on Joint Service transcripts, Community College of the Air Force, and Air University are not included in this credit limitation. Evaluated credit and credit awarded for prior learning does not count as hours in residence for graduation requirements. Please refer to MCCCD Administrative Regulation 2.3.9 General Graduation Requirements. Exceptions to this institutional regulation must have prior written approval of the program director, faculty chair, or designee and documentation of rationale and approval included as part of the admission process and/or application to graduate. No more than 20 credit hours may be applied to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC). Please direct questions about [CPL] at the Maricopa Community Colleges to the Admissions and Records/Enrollment Services Office.”
Credits may or may not transfer, depending on the school. Please refer to the Transfer Disclaimer section above. MCC’s CPL Program strives for an appropriate balance of consistency, flexibility, rigor, and academic program integrity. A course-equivalency model is used to determine the award of credit for all Credit for Prior Learning methods.
We are always working to expand CPL opportunities to include more degrees that accept prior learning. If you have an industry recognized credential or corporate training that you would like us to evaluate which is not on the list, please email your request to the Office of the Deans of Instruction at [email protected].
Yes. Any questions or concerns regarding declined CPL pathways can be directed to [email protected] for further review.
CPL does not impact financial aid eligibility or disbursement. However, financial aid and VA benefits may only be awarded based on actual course enrollment at Mesa Community College. Financial aid and VA benefits may not be awarded for credits that are earned through CPL methods. Speak with a Financial Aid representative to find out how credit earned through the CPL Program may affect your award.
Questions?
Have questions or need assistance? Please contact Andrea Gillmore at (480) 461-7617 or email [email protected].