Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) consist of a series of national standardized examinations taken through College Board. They are designed to assess non-accredited college-level knowledge in several subject areas and are evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students are advised to check with their major departments on specific General Studies requirements that may not be met through the use of CLEP examinations. MSU Denver’s Testing Center provides CLEP proctoring services.

STEP ONE: DETERMINE WHICH CLEP EXAM FITS YOUR NEEDS

• Meet with your Academic Advisor or with the Prior Learning Department, [email protected].

STEP TWO: PREPARE FOR YOUR EXAM AND PURCHASE A CLEP VOUCHER 

• The College Board provides free resources to prepare for the exam.
• Purchase a test voucher from CLEP’s website. Select MSU Denver as a score reporting location.

STEP THREE: TAKE YOUR CLEP EXAM AT MSU DENVER’S TESTING CENTER

• Once you have a purchased test voucher, contact Testing Services to setup an exam appointment.
• Be sure to bring the following to your CLEP appointment:
  • A printed copy of the CLEP test voucher
  • A valid, government issued photo ID such as driver’s license or passport.
  • A $35.00 seat fee (subject to change). The seat fee is due at the time of your CLEP appointment, payable in cash, MC, Visa, or Discover.

Refer to the Testing Center’s information on CLEP exams at MSU Denver.

MSU Denver awards credit for Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Credit may be awarded if the DSST score is at the American Council on Education (ACE) minimum and if the appropriate MSU Denver Academic Department’s approve the credit(s).

STEP ONE: REVIEW MSU DENVER’S DSST POLICY AND DETERMINE WHICH DSST EXAM FITS YOUR NEEDS

• Meet with your Academic Advisor or with the Assistant Registrar, Transfer Evaluation & Prior Learning Department [email protected].

STEP TWO: PREPARE FOR YOUR EXAM AND CHOOSE A TEST CENTER

• DSST provides free resources to prepare for the exam.
• Schedule a DSST Exam. The test fee starts at $80 per exam (this fee does not include any administrative costs the testing site may require).  

STEP THREE: SUBMIT DSST EXAM FOR EVALUATION

Please submit to the following address:

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Attention: Office of Admissions

P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 16

Denver, CO 80217-3362

To request a copy of your DSST scores, visit: http://getcollegecredit.com/contact/.

Refer to the MSU Denver Catalog for more specific information about DSST. 

If you have satisfactorily performed in special, college-level courses while in high school, and passed the appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) examinations conducted by College Board, then you may have official scores submitted directly to the Office of Admissions. This Office, in consultation with the appropriate department chair, determines the amount and nature of credit and/or advanced placement granted.

Refer to the MSU Denver Catalog for more specific information about AP. 

If you have successfully completed an IB Diploma Program and the IB examinations, then you are granted guaranteed admission to MSU Denver and are eligible to receive credit and advanced placement standing.

To receive credit, a student must receive at least a score of four (4) on each IB examination. Official scores should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the IB organization.

Refer to the MSU Denver Catalog for more specific information about IB.

Content of credit accepted in transfer may not duplicate coursework previously taken. Military service credit is evaluated when official copies of transcripts from military schools are received and after meeting with the Prior Learning Specialist. Courses are evaluated according to the American Council on Education (ACE) Guidelines.

• Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine personnel should submit an official Joint Services Transcript directly to MSU Denver. To order a Joint Services transcript, go to https://jst.doded.mil/.

• Air Force personnel should submit a Community College of the Air Force/Air University official transcript. To order a CCAF transcript, go to http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.
• Discharged service members should submit the Member-4 or Service-2 copy of their DD Form 214 by email to [email protected]. Active duty service members should contact the PLA Team regarding what alternative documentation can be submitted in lieu of a DD214.

In addition, MSU Denver offers the following package of transfer credit and waivers:

• Either 6 semester hours of lower division elective credit (MILR 8000) for all students who have served four years active duty in the U.S. military OR 3 semester hours of lower division elective credit (MILR 8000) for all students who have served two years active duty in the U.S. military.
• 6 additional semester hours of upper division elective credit (MILR 9000) for students who have either served two terms of service of four years each or attained the rank of E5 or above in the U.S. military.
• Oral Communication as COMM 1010 (Presentational Speaking) for all students who served at least one enlistment and achieved the rank of E5 or above in the U.S. military.
• Waiver of the Global Diversity requirement for all students who have foreign service or sea service in the U.S. Military for at least four months.

Applicable credit and waivers will be granted upon presentation of evidence of either continued active service, transfer to the Reserve component, or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.

For any questions related to credit for military training, please contact Prior Learning Specialist, Bren Schuler.

A portfolio is a collection of documents you put together to show what you already know and can do. Many professionals in business, education, design, and consulting use portfolios in their work. Your PLA portfolio includes a narrative, which is your discussion of your college-level knowledge, similar to a research paper that is supported by theory or concepts. It might also include evidence, such as certificates, letters of recommendation, and samples of work that will support your narrative and verify to the Portfolio assessors that you have the knowledge and should be awarded credit. Your portfolio should address the learning objectives, or outcomes, of the courses you want to earn credit for and detail your experience acquiring this knowledge. It is read by subject-matter experts who make sure that what you already know is equivalent to what you would have learned if you had taken the course.

• Portfolio assessment is available in many, but not all, academic departments.
• Portfolio credit must match a MSU Denver course. To verify this information, visit the university’s Course Descriptions.
• Portfolio fee is $379 per course (fees are subject to change).
• EDS Portfolio Development Workshop course is required to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit.
• To earn credit, students must be a continuing student enrolled in good standing in a degree or certificate program.
• Contact the Prior Learning Team at  [email protected], to explore portfolio options.

Refer to the MSU Denver Catalog for more specific information about Portfolio Assessment.

EDS 2680 – Portfolio Development Workshop (1 Credit Hour)

Students learn to identify, analyze, discuss, and document learning gained through experience. Students integrate prior experiential learning with current educational needs and goals. Basic principles of adult learning and developmental theory are introduced as they apply to the student’s experience. Students will prepare a prior-learning portfolio. Those who are interested may develop this portfolio into an application for credit for prior learning.