Credit for Prior Learning

PLA Survey

Adult learners have a wealth of knowledge and life experiences and we value that at DCTC.

To find out how your experiences could translate to college credit take our Survey:

Take the Survey Allow yourself up to 15 minutes to complete the survey.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is academic credit that is awarded to students who can successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You could have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.

Prior Learning Assessment

Our assessments are formally created by faculty or the department and are available in our online learning platform, D2L Brightspace. Assessments take a combination of skills approach. Students may be asked to test, demonstrate, and write to show their learning is college level and is equivalent to the course they are assessing. Students will also be asked to provide pieces of evidence for their learning.

Credit for prior learning (CPL) assessment is $100 per credit.

DCTC PLA Offered	Class Equation	Credits
ABCT 2106	Collision Damage Repair/Replacement	6
ABCT 2108	Unibody/Frame/Wheel Alignment I	4
ABCT 2212	Unibody/Frame/Wheel Alignment II	6
ADMS 1018	Basic Computer Applications	3
BUSN 1000	Foundations of Management	3
BUSN 1020	Management Effectiveness	3
BUSN 1022	Leadership	3
BUSN 1260	Managing Customer Service	1
ENG 1200	Technical Writing	3
HDDT 1212	Preventive Maintenance	4
HDDT 1223	Truck A/C	3
HDDT 2101	Drive Train I	6
HDDT 2107	Drive Train II	4

Test-Out CLEP and DSST

View the CLEP Equivalency Chart

Our institution provides credit for successful scores on several CLEP exams. The following table lists the exam(s) for which credit is granted, the required score, and the equivalent course you would bypass.

Earn College Credit. Achieve Your Goals.

Accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities, CLEP® exams let students show their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects. With a qualifying score on any of the 33 CLEP exams, students can earn three or more credits and place out of the corresponding course.

How do I prepare for a CLEP exam?

CLEP study materials can be found on the CLEP website: clep.collegeboard.org/practice. Access sample test questions, exam topics, and other suggested study resources.

Modern States – Free online prep courses

Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit is intended to let students earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense. Modern States offers 30 high quality prep courses, taught by some of the world's leading universities and professors. Each course includes online lectures, quizzes, tests, and other features. Textbooks and materials will also be provided online, free of charge.

The courses are designed to prepare students for the major “Advanced Placement” (AP)* or “College Level Examination Program” (CLEP)* tests offered by the College Board, including subjects such as History, Computer Science, Math, English and Economics.

Once you have completed the prep course with Modern States you can then Request a CLEP Voucher from the Modern States website for a free CLEP exam.

How do I get credit for CLEP?

Before you take a CLEP exam, review your college's CLEP policy to understand:

Which CLEP exams your college accepts
What score is needed to get credit
How many credits are awarded

When you register for a CLEP exam, request that a copy of your score report be sent to your college. After receiving your score, the college will decide whether or not to award you credit for, or to exempt you from, one or more courses based on its CLEP credit policy.

I'm ready to take a CLEP exam. What do I do?

STEP ONE: Decide which exam is right for you.

STEP TWO: Register online through the CLEP website: clep.collegeboard.org/register.

STEP THREE: Call the nearest test center to schedule your exam.

Administration Fee: $20 (paid to the test center)

CLEP Exam Fee: $87

DANTES-Funded Military Service Members

(Includes Active Duty/ Reserves/National Guard): There's no exam fee for the first attempt of each CLEP test, but you may have to pay the college's administration fee. If you test at a fully funded test center, the administration fee is waived. Military personnel must present military ID. Check the CLEP website for eligibility requirements: clep.collegeboard.org/military.

DSST

DSST is an internet-based training program that allows you to earn college credit. Dakota County Technical College offers more than 30 different DSST exams. Each exam is scored individually and includes the option to retake after three months if needed. Minimum score is different on each test. Tests are pass/fail. There is no limit on the number of tests you may take per MN State. Residency requirements must be met.

DCTC is a DSST Fully Funded test center. Eligible military service members, civilians and eligible spouses may have the administrative fee waived.

Two forms of ID are required to test. Candidates must bring a valid Geneva Conventions Common Access Card (CAC) and a U.S. Government or State-issued Photo ID to the test site on test day before they can test. For questions regarding eligibility for DANTES-funded testing, contact exams@navy.mil.

View the DSST Equivalency Chart

Schedule an Appointment

Send an email request to karianne.loula@dctc.edu or call 651-423-8583 to set up an appointment.

Bring the Following to the Exam

Your ID: ID must be government issued (driver's license, passport, state ID, etc.)
Social Security Number
Name of exam to be taken
Payment:
- $20 Administrative Fee payable to Dakota County Technical College (bring receipt to Testing Center) and
- $85 per exam - paid only with a credit card

Review Practice Exams & Prep Resources

https://getcollegecredit.com/

Advanced Placement

DCTC will not limit the total number of credits a student may earn through AP examinations. However, credits earned through AP are not resident credits and will not be used to satisfy resident credit requirements for graduation. Students must provide DCTC with an official report of AP scores in order to receive credit. Visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ for more information.

View the AP Equivalency Chart

Industry Credential Crosswalks

Many industry trainings and certificates that can potentially be worth credit. Our faculty have examined the credential in their area and have aligned them to DCTC courses. If you have any of these credentials that will also align with the program you are taking at DCTC, fill out the form provided and present a copy of your current-non-expired certificate or training.

Crosswalk Offered	Class Equation	Crosswalk credits
Nursing Assistant	HEAL 1060	4
Child Development Associate Certification	ECYD 1110, ECYD 1215	6
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)	ISTC 1015	3
CompTIA A+	ISTC 1010	3
CompTIA Net+	ISTC 1045	3
Microsoft MCSA 70-410	ISTC 2035	3
Cisco CCENT	ISTC 1045, ISTC 2006	6
Cisco CCNA	ISTC 1045, ISTC 2006, ISTC 2011, ISTC 2016	12
ISC CCFP	ISTC 2071	3
CompTIA Security+	ISTC 1061	3
Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR)	BUSN 1101, BUSN 1150	6
Project Management Professional (PMP)	BUSN 1210	3
Certified Supervisor (CS)	BUSN 1000	3
Certified Manager (CM)	BUSN 1000, BUSN 1010, BUSN 1040	9
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)	BUSN 1101, BUSN 1121, BUSN 1130 BUSN 1141, BUSN 1150	14
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)	BUSN 1101, BUSN 1121, BUSN 1130 BUSN 1141, BUSN 1150	14
Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)	BUSN 1101, BUSN 1121, BUSN 1130 BUSN 1141, BUSN 1150	14
Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)	BUSN 1101, BUSN 1121, BUSN 1130 BUSN 1141, BUSN 1150	14
QuickBooks Certified User	ACCT 2200	3
Excel Specialist	ACCT 1306	3
Construction Safety OSHA	CMSV 2850	2