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Credit for Prior Learning 

Students have an opportunity to receive recognition and credit for the knowledge and skills they've already acquired through examination, work experience, military service, or other life experiences, potentially accelerating their academic progress and reducing the cost of their education.

Below are the ways in which Columbus State awards credit for prior learning:

Credit by Examination (Examination (X) Credit)

Standardized Exams (AP, IB, CLEP)

Examination Type

Sending Scores to CSCC

What credit will be awarded at CSCC?

Advanced Placement (AP)

Request to have your official score report sent to Columbus State.

See what credit you can earn at Columbus State.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Request to have your official score report sent to Columbus State.

Updated information coming soon (April 2026)!

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Request to have your scores sent to Columbus State (College Code: 1148).

Please note: CLEP scores are sent with first and last name only and no date of birth. Please email transcriptevaluation@cscc.edu to let us know you’ve sent CLEP scores and include your Cougar ID (CSCC student ID number) so that we can match the scores to your record.

See what credit you can earn at Columbus State.

Departmental Exams for Proficiency Credit

Students may be able to receive credit for certain courses by taking a departmental exam at Columbus State. Please reach out to the Chairperson of the appropriate academic department for permission to take a proficiency exam or with any questions.

A $50.00 fee is charged for each proficiency exam prior to the examination. After completing an examination successfully, departments will submit a completed Proficiency (X) Credit Form to xcredit@cscc.edu on behalf of the student, to be awarded to the student's record. Students will receive an email confirming that credit was awarded within 1-2 business days.

Credit by Portfolio (Non-traditional (N) Credit)

Students who have gained knowledge and skills outside traditional classes are invited to develop a portfolio that showcases their expertise. Students should follow these steps to apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit by portfolio:

  • Meet with the appropriate academic department chairperson and obtain approval to develop a learning portfolio.
  • Submit a completed Credit for Prior Learning  form to the faculty advisor, along with the receipt for $50.00 obtained from the Cashier's Office, Upper Level, Rhodes Hall.
  • Submit the completed portfolio as directed.
  • If approved, the department will submit a completed N Credit form to ncredit@cscc.edu for processing. Students will receive an email confirming that credit was awarded within 1-2 business days.

Career-Technical Credit (Non-traditional (N) Credit)

Columbus State collaborates with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as well as local K-12 districts on Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs) and high school articulated agreements. Students have an opportunity to earn college credit for approved career-technical courses taken at an Ohio public high school or career-technical center.

To earn CTAG credit, students must successfully complete the approved course and earn a qualifying score on the corresponding End-of-Course examination, as well as enroll at an institution of higher education with an approved comparable program within three years after completing the approved secondary program.

For high school articulated agreements, the high school or career-technical center must provide Columbus State with the approved paperwork, and students must enroll within 18 months of graduation.

Students inquiring about their career-technical credit should contact ljone100@cscc.edu for additional information or with any questions.