Earn Credit for Prior Learning
Naropa University offers multiple pathways for students to earn transfer credit. Credit is already awarded for college-level and vocational coursework completed at institutions accredited by recognized accrediting bodies, as well as for standardized exams such as CLEP, AP, and IB. Students also already receive credit for military experience and for coursework evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE), including providers such as Sophia Learning, Study.com, and StraighterLine.
Program Information
Turn Your Experience into College Credit
Beginning May 1, 2026, through the new Prior Learning Credit (PLC) program, students are now also eligible to earn transfer credit for learning acquired outside of traditional academic settings through a portfolio review. This includes:
- Non-accredited vocational training
- professional training
- certifications
- contemplative practice
- work experience
Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor to see if Prior Learning Credit is an option for them. Your prior learning experiences must be verifiable (certificates, supervisor letters, work samples, etc.), measurable (hours completed), and equivalent to college-level coursework. Naropa allows the transfer of up to 30 hours of vocational credit—this includes Prior Learning Credit.
PLC is primarily designed for undergraduate students, though some graduate programs may allow it with program director approval. Use the checklist below to learn more and see if you are eligible.
Step-by-Step Checklist for Students
1. Confirm You Are Eligible
Before starting, make sure you:
- Are admitted to a degree-seeking program and confirmed your spot (deposited)
- Have prior learning that is college-level
- Do not already have 30 hours of transfer credit for vocational work
- Have not already received credit for the same learning at Naropa
2. Meet with Your Academic Advisor & Get Enrolled in the Free PLC Canvas Page
Schedule a conversation with your advisor to:
- Learn whether PLC is a good fit for you
- Identify which course, elective, or requirement your prior learning may match and how it applies to your degree
- Understand any limits on how PLC applies to your degree
- Get added to the PLC Canvas page for access to PLC information, templates, and forms
3. Review PLC Options
Decide which type of prior learning you want to include in your portfolio review for evaluation, such as:
- Professional certifications
- Workforce or employer training
- Noncredit certificate programs
- Non-accredited vocational experience
4. Gather Your Documentation
Collect materials that verify your learning, such as:
- Certificates or licenses
- Training records
- Transcripts
- Work samples or projects
- Supervisor or employer letters
- Other documents that show the depth and quality of your learning
5. Get Pre-Approved
- All students must submit a Pre-Approval Form via the PLC Canvas page prior to submitting an official PLC portfolio for review.
- This pre-approval ensures your PLC opportunity is eligible to include in your portfolio, that you have not earned credit for that experience previously, and you are able to transfer in up to 30 credit hours of PLC work based on your remaining degree requirements (undergraduate students) and up to 12 credit hours of PLC work for graduate students. Graduate School of Counseling students can transfer up to 6 hours.
6. Prepare Your Portfolio and Application Materials
Once pre-approved, review the free Canvas PLC Course to review required materials for your portfolio. Portfolios will require the following:
- A written explanation of your learning experience
- A reflection on what you learned
- Clear evidence of your knowledge and skills
- A connection between your experience and the course learning outcomes
- In some cases, specific guidance on additional documents needed will be provided in the pre-approval, depending on the PLC experience
7. Check for Financial Aid Impact
Before submitting, talk with advising or financial aid if needed to understand:
- Whether PLC could affect your enrollment status
- Whether it could change your financial aid eligibility
- How it may impact your course load
8. Submit Your PLC Application
Turn in your completed application packet, including:
- Application form
- Portfolio materials
- Supporting documentation
- Any required verification letters
9. Watch for Confirmation and Follow-up
After submission
- Confirm your materials were received
- Watch your Naropa email for updates
- Respond promptly if more information is requested
10. Complete Any Requested Follow-up
Faculty reviewers may ask for:
- Additional documentation
- Clarification about your experience
- A meeting or conversation to better understand your learning
11. Review Your Decision
You will receive a written outcome within thirty days. Your result may be:
- Approved
- Partially approved
- Denied
12. Confirm Your Credits Were Posted
If approved:
- Check that your transcript reflects the credit
- Confirm your degree audit has been updated
- Follow up with your advisor if anything looks incorrect
13. Appeal If Necessary
If your request is denied or only partially approved, students may appeal their decision one time. If you choose to appeal, you may be requested to submit:
- Any additional evidence
- A revised portfolio, if requested
- A clear explanation supporting your request
Quick Student Reminders
- Start early so PLC can be built into your degree plan
- Keep copies of everything you submit
- Ask questions if you are unsure what counts as strong evidence
- Stay in contact with your advisor throughout the process
FAQ Related to Prior Learning Credit
Prior Learning Credit (PLC) allows students to earn college credit for knowledge and skills gained outside traditional classroom courses, such as professional training, certifications, contemplative practice, or work experience. The learning must be verifiable, measurable, and equivalent to college-level coursework.
Students must:
- Be admitted to a degree-seeking program at Naropa University and confirmed their spot (deposited).
- Demonstrate college-level learning through documentation.
- Ensure the learning has not already been awarded credit at Naropa.
PLC is primarily designed for undergraduate students, though some graduate programs may allow it with program director approval.
- Undergraduate students: Up to 30 credits, depending on remaining program requirements
- Graduate students: Typically up to 12 credits, depending on the program
Students must still meet residency requirements, which for undergraduate students means completing at least 30 credits directly at Naropa.
Examples include:
- Professional certifications
- Workforce training programs
- Noncredit certificate programs
- Documented community leadership or contemplative practice
All submissions must clearly show college-level competencies aligned with learning outcomes.
A portfolio is a structured submission demonstrating what you learned and how it aligns with a specific course or learning outcomes for college elective credit.
It may include:
- A narrative explaining your learning experience
- Documentation (certificates, transcripts, training logs)
- Work samples or projects
- Supervisor or employer verification
- A reflection connecting your experience to course learning outcomes
Faculty reviewers evaluate the portfolio using a standardized rubric.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss eligibility and options.
- Complete Pre-Approval Form to confirm eligibility and wait for pre-approval.
- If pre-approved, prepare your application and portfolio documentation.
- Submit your PLC application.
- Faculty review your materials.
- Receive a decision (approved, partially approved, or denied).
- Credits are posted to your transcript if approved.
- Appeal, if needed, by submitting additional evidence.
After submission, faculty reviewers evaluate the materials and may request additional information or clarification. Students receive a formal written decision with rationale once the review is complete, typically within 30 days of their portfolio submission.
Students may submit one appeal within one semester by providing additional documentation or revising their portfolio. A Prior Learning Credit Committee will review the appeal and issue a final decision.
No. PLC credits are posted as transfer credit (TR) and do not affect GPA. The transcript will include a notation indicating the credit was awarded through Prior Learning Credit.
Yes. PLC can:
- Reduce the number of courses you need to complete
- Lower tuition costs
- Accelerate time to degree completion
Many adult learners use PLC to build on their existing professional or life experience.
Possibly. Because PLC credits may reduce the number of courses taken in a semester, they can impact full-time enrollment status for financial aid purposes. Students should consult both academic advising and the financial aid office before applying.
Yes. Given Naropa’s mission, experiences such as:
- Meditation or mindfulness practice
- Retreat leadership
- Community organizing
- Creative or somatic practice
These may qualify if students can demonstrate measurable learning outcomes and competencies aligned with course objectives.
Your academic advisor is the best first step. Advisors help you:
- Evaluate eligibility
- Identify courses that may qualify
- Plan your portfolio submission
- Understand impacts on degree planning
