Credit for Prior Learning
At Butler University, your real-world knowledge, skills, and accomplishments from work, training, military service, or other experiences can be evaluated for academic credit through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). By acknowledging and valuing the diverse experiences and skills you bring with you, we strive to create an inclusive educational environment that empowers you on your academic journey. Earning credit for prior learning offers you a flexible path to your education, helping you complete your degree faster while also lowering the cost.
What is Credit for Prior Learning?
Credit for Prior Learning is a term used to evaluate learning that has occurred outside of the traditional academic environment. Other common terms for this process include prior learning assessment (PLA), recognition of prior learning, and recognition of learning. Butler University is committed to providing clear and attainable pathways for all students to receive academic credit for the knowledge and accomplishments they have already acquired.
Examples of credit for prior learning include:
Butler acknowledges the value of professional certifications, licenses, and training programs that have been completed outside of the traditional classroom setting. By submitting documentation such as certificates, licenses, or other official records, students can have their prior learning assessed for academic credit, helping students accelerate their educational journey by applying their real-world expertise to their academic goals.
Butler understands the value of real-world learning gained through hands-on experiences, such as internships, volunteer work, professional projects, or other relevant life experiences. By submitting a comprehensive portfolio or documentation that demonstrates the knowledge and skills acquired, students can have their experiences assessed for academic credit, helping them progress more quickly in their degree programs.
Butler recognizes the value of military training and coursework. By evaluating military transcripts and other documentation, Butler ensures that veterans and active-duty personnel can receive academic credit for their service, helping to shorten the path to a degree and facilitating a smoother transition to civilian careers. Butler utilizes the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide in the review of military transcripts for academic credit.
What are CPL Pathways?
Butler offers both Standing Pathways and Individualized Pathways for the awarding of Credit for Prior Learning. By aligning prior learning with either a standing pathway or an individualized pathway, students benefit from a clear and structured evaluation process, helping them to earn credit and accelerate their academic journey.
A standing pathway refers to a CPL pathway that has been pre-evaluated and available for all admitted students. Standing pathways make the process straightforward and efficient, ensuring that all students can easily apply these pre-evaluated experiences toward their academic journey.
An individualized pathway is a CPL pathway established for a single student, who presents evidence of prior learning that is not recognized within an existing standing pathway but after a review, is determined to be deserving of academic credit.
Ready to submit your credit request?
If your prior learning aligns with one of our standing pathways, we’d love to hear from you! Have experiences or accomplishments that don’t quite fit into our current pathways? No worries—we’re always excited to explore new individualized pathways and expand our CPL offerings.
To submit your credit request or discuss your experience, please reach out to us at registrar@butler.edu. We’re here to help!
registrar@butler.edu
317-940-9203