Turn what you already know into college credit.
If you've gained college-level knowledge and skills outside the traditional classroom
— through military service, work experience, professional certifications, or self-study
— you may be able to earn Glendale Community College credit for it. Credit for Prior
Learning (CPL) lets you demonstrate mastery of a course's content through approved
alternative methods, rather than sitting through instruction you've already effectively
completed elsewhere.
Ways to Earn Credit
GCC recognizes several pathways to CPL, each evaluated a little differently:
Standardized Examinations
If you’ve taken a nationally recognized exam, you may already have earned college
credit. GCC awards credit for qualifying scores on exams the college has pre-approved,
so there’s no need to demonstrate your knowledge again. Official exam scores must
be sent to GCC. Select an exam below to see the minimum score and the credit awarded.
Credit by Examination
If you've gained the knowledge or skills covered in a GCC course — through work experience,
independent study, or another language you speak — but haven't completed the course
itself, you may be able to earn credit by passing an exam administered by the relevant
GCC department. Depending on the course, you may also need to complete additional
assignments or demonstrate other skills alongside the exam. Credit is awarded once
discipline faculty confirm the assessment measured mastery of the course content in
the Course Outline of Record.
Military Service & Training
If you've completed military training or service, you may be able to translate that
into course credit. GCC evaluates official military transcripts against recommendations
in the American Council on Education (ACE) Directory. Credit is awarded once the relevant
discipline faculty confirms the training matches a GCC course.
Industry-Recognized Credentials
If you hold a professional certification or license related to a course you'd otherwise
need to take, it may be eligible for credit. The appropriate department chair or faculty
designee reviews your credential to confirm it demonstrates the same knowledge and
skills as the course.
Portfolio Assessment
If your knowledge comes from a mix of experience — work, training, or independent
learning that doesn't fit a single exam or credential — you can document it in a portfolio
for faculty to review. Faculty evaluate the portfolio to confirm it demonstrates the
same mastery a student would gain by completing the course.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for CPL at GCC, you must meet these conditions:
- You have previously earned credit or noncredit at GCC, or are currently registered
at GCC
- You are in good academic standing
- You have a student education plan (SEP) on file
- The course is listed in the current Glendale College Catalog
- You are not currently enrolled in the course you want to challenge
- For Credit by Examination specifically: you haven't already completed or enrolled
in a more advanced course in the same subject
Check GCC's Credit for Prior Learning dashboard to see whether your exam, credential, certification, or training has already been
approved. If it isn’t listed, a counselor can help you explore whether it can be evaluated.
How the Process Works
- Complete the CPL assessment petition. The petition is available through the Counseling Office or Admissions and Records.
On the petition, you’ll identify which type of credit you’re seeking, such as credit
by exam, industry-recognized credential, military training, or portfolio.
- Meet with a counselor. A counselor will help you understand how CPL may affect your education plan, financial
aid, or other factors.
- Submit documentation. Submit official transcripts, military records, credential certificates, or portfolio
materials, depending on the type of CPL you're requesting.
- Have your submission reviewed. If faculty have already approved your exam, credential, or training, your counselor
will verify that your documentation matches the approval. If not, you’ll meet with
the division chair or faculty designee for the subject area, who will explain what’s
needed for the type of credit you’re seeking and evaluate your submission against
the Course Outline of Record.
- Credit is recorded. Once approved, the petition goes to Admissions and Records to be placed on file and
posted to your transcript.
Good to Know
- Your transcript will be clearly annotated to show credit was earned through prior
learning assessment, not coursework.
- Credit is awarded as Pass/No Pass, except for credit by exam, which may be graded
with a letter grade or Pass/No Pass if that option is normally available for the course.
You may accept, decline, or appeal the grade you’re awarded.
- CPL credit doesn't count toward unit-load requirements for Selective Service, VA,
or Social Security benefits, and it doesn't count toward the 12 units of residency
credit required for an associate degree.
Get Started
Talk to an academic counselor and find out which pathway fits your background.
