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Credit for Prior Learning

Your knowledge and experience can work for you

Capella helps you find savings for the knowledge you’ve gained from previous work and training, or as demonstrated by your industry certifications, through credit for prior learning.

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How credit for prior learning works

Our program, designed around the CAEL Standards, allows you to earn credit when you demonstrate relevant, college-level knowledge gained through formal and informal work training, continuing education, self-instruction, professional certifications and other learning.

Two primary ways to earn credit for prior learning:

Option One | Documented credit [for certifications]

  • Submit required documentation for your specific industry certifications.
  • We’ll apply credit as applicable to your program.  

Option Two | Petition [for all other prior learning]

  • Use the credit for prior learning petition to describe how you’ve mastered the concepts of a specific course and how you apply that knowledge.
  • A Capella faculty expert reviews the petition to determine if credit should be awarded.
  • Use the credit for prior learning lab to develop your petition(s).

View Capella’s credit for prior learning policy and fees

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See what you could save

Capella helps you maximize savings for the knowledge you’ve gained from previous work or training, or experience as demonstrated by your industry certifications, through credit for prior learning.

Explore potential savings on your bachelor’s or master’s in business.

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Explore potential savings on your bachelor’s or master’s in IT.

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Explore potential savings on your bachelor’s or master’s in human resource management.

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*Additional fee of $50 assessed each quarter you request documented credit. All learning being submitted for assessment must be completed prior to starting in FlexPath.

Not sure if you’re eligible or how to proceed?

Talk with an expert who can answer your questions and guide you through your options.

Eligible programs

Credit for prior learning can be applied toward the following eligible programs. Your enrollment counselor can guide you through the options for each program.

  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
  • BS in Business
  • BS in Computer Science
  • BS in Health Care Administration
  • BS in Information Technology
  • BS in Nursing
  • BS in Public Health
  • BS in Psychology
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Health Administration (MHA)
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  • MS in Analytics
  • MS in Education
  • MS in Human Resource Management
  • MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
  • MS in Information Technology

Eligibility

Credit for prior learning petitions are available only to current students who meet the requirements. Documented credit can be applied once you’re admitted.

GuidedPath eligibility

You are eligible for the credit for prior learning process if:

  • You are currently enrolled in an eligible program at Capella (you must remain enrolled throughout the credit for prior learning process).
  • Your course is eligible for credit for prior learning.
  • Your course meets the requirements of your program.

FlexPath eligibility

  • You can only submit credit for prior learning within 12 weeks of starting your first FlexPath course.
  • The effective date of your certifications must be prior to the start date of your first FlexPath course.

We accept more than 50 certifications including:

  •  CISSP®
  •  SHRM®-CP/SCP
  •  PMP®

Find funding options

We’re here to help you find ways to pay for college. Capella financial aid advisors are available to guide you, or you can download our step-by-step Finance Guide.

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