Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning is a program which helps students achieve credit for Edgewood courses if they have learned the content or acquired the skills taught in those courses through work or other life experiences. Many students, particularly those who have spent some years after high school away from college, can receive credit through this program. There are three major ways to earn credit through the Credit for Prior Learning Program:

1. EXAMINATIONS (Edgewood College Proficiency Exams, CLEP, DANTES, and EXCELSIOR)
2. THE PORTFOLIO PROCESS
3. TRAINING PROGRAMS accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE)

EXAMINATIONS

1. EDGEWOOD COLLEGE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS
   1. Developed by the departments and faculty responsible for the courses
   2. Administered several times a year by the Academic Dean’s Office
   3. Schedule published in each semester’s timetable
   4. Information and content guides for each of the exams available from the Academic Deans Office, 663-2200
       
2. CLEP, DANTES, AND EXCELSIOR EXAMINATIONS
   1. All nationally standardized examinations offered by different testing companies
   2. All multiple choice examinations
   3. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis
   4. An administration fee for each examination, but no cost for the Edgewood College credit earned
   5. A “study guide” for each exam
   6. CLEP and DANTES exams administered five times a year at Edgewood College
   7. Excelsior exams administered in Madison at Prometric Testing Center
       

THE PORTFOLIO PROCESS

1. For courses with no proficiency exam
2. Documents mastery of content of course learned through work or other life experience
3. Portfolios developed under the direction of the coordinator of Credit for Prior Learning

TRAINING PROGRAMS

Edgewood College grants credit for training programs recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) These courses are offered

1. Through the military
2. By companies for their employees

Further information available, contact Joan Schilling in the Credit for Prior Learning office, (608)663-2302, schillin@edgewood.edu.