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What Is Credit For Prior Learning (CPL)?
What Is Credit For Prior Learning (CPL)?
CPL allows students to earn academic credit for college‑level knowledge and skills acquired outside traditional coursework, including; life experience, military training, certifications, exams, and portfolio assessments.
Save time and money by earning college credit for what you already know. Students with prior subject knowledge or real-world experience may qualify through standardized College Board exams.
Save time and money by earning college credit for what you already know. Students with prior subject knowledge or real-world experience may qualify through standardized College Board exams.
Speak with your Advisor in advance to ensure the credits align with your program.
CLEP exams are a great fit for students who already know the material and want to fast-track their degree. General Education courses are the most common CLEP-eligible exams.
What to Know:
$89 exam fee directly to CLEP (Additional $35 non-refundable assessment fee from NLU.)
CLEP exams are multiple-choice
No penalty for incorrect answers
Score results are typically available immediately after testing (must score at least 50 points to gain the credit at NLU)
Why Take CLEP?
Why Take CLEP?
Earn credit for knowledge you already know
Depending on the exam, you can earn between 5QH and 14QH of credit.
Save money – each CLEP exam costs far less than a college course
Testing Options
Testing Options
Onsite Testing: Take your CLEP exam in person at our Wheeling or Chicago locations by signing up for an available testing slot.
*If you prefer the Lisle campus, you can arrange a special testing date and time by emailing cpl@nl.edu.
Remote Testing: CLEP exams can also be proctored remotely, allowing you to take the exam from the comfort of your home using CLEP’s online platform.
Exams Offered
Exams Offered
Explore all CLEP exams and practice resources here:
👉 CLEP Exam List
Literature
Foreign Languages
History and Social Sciences
Science and Mathematics
Business
How to Register
How to Register
Visit the CLEP registration website to select, register, and pay for your exam.
Look up the university by typing National-Louis University
Make sure to choose the correct campus
Ensure your CLEP test transcript is sent to NLU at the Wheeling campus (National Louis University, Attn: Admissions Department, 1000 Capitol Drive, Wheeling IL 60090).
Sign up for a testing slot through our NLU In-Person CLEP Testing Sign-up. You will need to provide your CLEP Testing Ticket #Number during sign-up.
Arrive at the NLU location 30 minutes before your testing time with a government-issued photo ID and your CLEP testing ticket.
You will not be allowed to complete your exam if you arrive late.
- Other Exams/Tests Available
DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) provides funding for CLEP exams, making them free for eligible military personnel, civilians, and spouses. For more details on funding and eligibility criteria, visit the DANTES Funding page.
DSST Exams: Since 2006, DANTES has also authorized upfront funding for DSST exams for eligible military members at authorized National Test Centers. DSST exams cover a range of subjects, including Humanities, Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technical Writing, and they offer credit awards equivalent to 5QH.
For details, visit the DSST funding webpage.
Please note: NLU currently does not administer DANTES-funded CLEP or DSST exams. If you take these exams at another institution, be sure to send your score reports to NLU for transfer credit evaluation.
NYU Language Proficiency Exams
NYU Language Proficiency Exams
You can showcase your language proficiency through the NYU Language Proficiency Exam, now available virtually for over 30 different languages. To explore the full catalog and register for the exam, visit the NYU Testing webpage.
Offered online, year-round
Tests reading, writing, and speaking in over 50 languages
Requires a computer, webcam, microphone, and Firefox browser
Register: NYU Language Proficiency Testing
Credit by Portfolio
Credit by Portfolio
Students may earn college credit for personal, academic, and professional experiences by enrolling in
Students may earn college credit for personal, academic, and professional experiences by enrolling in
ACL301: Perspectives on Prior Learning. In this course, students create a portfolio that showcases college-level learning through reflection and writing.
ACL301: Perspectives on Prior Learning. In this course, students create a portfolio that showcases college-level learning through reflection and writing.
How Does it Work?
How Does it Work?
ACL301 is a 2-quarter-hour, pass/fail course that helps undergraduate students earn college credit for knowledge gained through life or work experience, particularly in General Education areas.
Students can earn up to 10 additional credit hours by writing 1 or 2 essays, each worth 3 or 5 quarter hours, that demonstrate their prior learning.
A "Pass" in ACL301 is required to become eligible for the additional essay-based credit.
Check in with your Advisor if you're interested in discussing this option.
Resources:
Essay Topic Packet – Browse the list of approved General Education essay topics.
ACL301 Handbook – Review writing guidelines, checklists, topic outlines, and more.
Evaluation Process
Evaluation Process
Essay Review
Essays must be typed, double-spaced, and meet formatting standards
Must demonstrate learning outcomes and college-level competency
Essays that only describe tasks or abstract ideas will not receive credit
Essays can be found via the Essay Topic Handbook
Portfolio Submission
Final portfolios are submitted via D2L (online learning platform)
Reviewed by instructor (for ACL301 grade) and evaluator (for credit)
Credit Award
Evaluators determine if learning is equivalent to a college course
If credit is not granted, students receive feedback—no revisions accepted after submission
Financial Aid
Financial Aid
ACL301 is the only Credit for Prior Learning option currently eligible for financial aid.
Financial aid can cover this course if you are enrolled full-time at the time of completion.
If you need to retake the course, any future attempts must be paid out of pocket.
For questions about eligibility, please contact Student Finance.
Ready to Enroll?
Ready to Enroll?
You will need to meet with your Academic Advisor or Success Coach to determine if ACL301 aligns with your credit needs.
Important Notes on Residency Requirements & Credit Limits
Important Notes on Residency Requirements & Credit Limits
Undergraduate students can apply up to 60 quarter hours of credit from CPL toward degree completion.
Only 15 quarter hours of CPL may be used toward the 60 hours residency requirement at NLU.
Students must complete at least 60 quarter hours at NLU, and the last 45 quarter hours must be taken at NLU; CPL may count toward those 45 hours
Next Steps
Next Steps
Contact your Advisor to determine which CPL options align with your degree plan and to avoid duplicating content.
For Portfolio Credit, enroll in ACL301 based on eligibility.
For Credit by Examination, check the Transfer Credit or CPL Guide to see eligible tests and required minimum scores.
Email cpl@nl.edu from your NLU student email inbox for specific questions or clarification.
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