Credit for Prior Learning

Earn college credit for experience

When you come to Jamestown Community College, you can earn Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) based on your life and work experiences. CPL converts into college credit that can be applied to your JCC degree, certificate, or microcredential.

You can earn CPL based on:

  • Challenge exams
  • Licensure or certification
  • Life experience credit portfolio
  • Military credit transfer
  • Standardized exams
  • Workforce Development programs

How to get started

If you think you may be eligible for CPL, we encourage you to meet with the Success Center for academic advising as early as possible. Your CPL credits can be evaluated and processed before you register for classes.

Academic Advising
Success Center

Challenge exams

To get credit for challenge exams, talk with your advisor or the Success Center.

credit awarded for challenge exams
Course Equivalency Credits
ANT 1510: Human Origins and Evolution 3
ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology 3
ANT 1540: World Archaeology 3
BUS 1360: Keyboarding/Word Processing 3
MCT 1310: Industrial Safety & Quality 2
SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology 3
Academic Advising
Success Center

Licensure or certification

To get credit for licensure or certification, provide proof of certification to Admissions.

Credit awarded for licensure or certification
Licensure or Certification Issued By Course Equivalency Credits Time Limit & Other Factors
A+ CompTIA CSC 1580: Computer Hardware & System Software 3 3 years post completion of the certification exam
Network + CompTIA CSC 2510: Intro to Networks 3 3 years post completion of the certification exams: N10-008 & N10-009
Security + CompTIA CSC 1520: Intro to Cybersecurity 3 3 years post completion of the certification exams: SY0-601 & SY0-701
Personal Trainer NASM, ACE® Fitness, NCSF, or equivalent nationally recognized certifying organization PHE 1480: Personal Trainer Cert Prep 3 2 years post completion of certification exam; followed by required credentialing CEUs to maintain active certification
Language Seal of Biliteracy / ACTFL OPI / CEFR Language 1510/1520: Introductory I/II 3 or 6 5 years post completion of Seal of Biliteracy award
Child Development Associate Council for Professional Recognition EDU 1250: Early Childhood Development
EDU 1260: Health/Safety/Nutrition/Child
EDU 1290: Intro Early Childhood Ed/Care
EDU 2210: Field Placement I-Education		 11 n/a
CASAC OASAS HUS 1310: Studies in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency
HUS 2400: Ethics/Issues – Addiction Services
HUS 2430: Alcohol/Chemical Dependency: Treatment		 9 5 years post completion of CASAC-T
Required credentialing CEUs to maintain active certification

CPR & AED

and/or

CPR for Healthcare Providers

and/or

Basic Life Support

 Nationally recognized organization such as American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross, National Safety Council (NSC), or Health and Safety Institute (HSI) HCR 1300: Adult & Child CPR/AED 0.5 Once certification is verified, students take a confirmation of skills/knowledge exam with a certified instructor. Students who receive CPL credit for these classes will not be re-certified. Therefore, they should discuss options with an advisor before pursuing CPL for this course.

First Aid, CPR, & AED

and/or

CPR for Healthcare Providers

and/or

Basic Life Support

 Nationally recognized organizations such as American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross, National Safety Council (NSC), or Health and Safety Institute (HSI) HCR 1310: First Aid & Mental Health 0.5 Once certification is verified, students take a confirmation of skills/knowledge exam with a certified instructor. Students who receive CPL credit for these classes will not be re-certified. Therefore, they should discuss options with an advisor before pursuing CPL for this course.
Admissions

Life experience credit portfolio

JCC's life experience credit portfolio program offers college credit for relevant life experience learning, such as work duties, trainings, seminars, and professional practice. Work with the Success Center to get started.

Life Experience Credit Portfolio
Success Center

Military credit transfer

JCC awards academic credit for military training and coursework, based on recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE).

If you are currently serving or have served in the military, here's how to transfer your credits:

  • Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Guard: Request your official Joint Services Transcript (JST) through the JST website.
  • Air Force and Space Force: Request your official transcript through the Community College of the Air Force.

Have your official transcript sent directly to Admissions@sunyjcc.edu. Once your transcript is reviewed, applicable military coursework will be applied to your JCC record and reflected in DegreeWorks with a grade of TR (transfer credit).

DD-214 forms (Member-4 copies) should be sent to Military@sunyjcc.edu and may result in additional credits.

Military & Veteran Support

Standardized exams

To get credit for standardized exams, request for your scores to be sent to Admissions.

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
Admissions

Workforce Development programs

To get credit for Workforce Development programs, talk with your advisor.

credit awarded for Workforce Development programs
Workforce Development Program Course Equivalency Credits Notes
Industrial Maintenance Technician MCT 1210: Applied Pneumatics & Hydraulics
ELC 1200: Fundamentals of Electricity
ELC 1220: Industrial Automation/PLC
ELC 1230: Electric Motors/Control System		 12 272-hour training
Machining/CNC Operator MCT 1270: Machine Theory and Operations
MCT 1280: CNC/Machine Tools
MCT 2340: Dimensional Metrology		 8 320-hour training
Welding Fundamentals WLD 1200: Safety and Cutting Processes
WLD 1350: Shielded Metal Arc Welding
WLD 1360: Gas Metal Arc Welding
WLD 1370: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding		 12 280-hour training
Academic Advising
Workforce Development