Credit for Prior Learning & Transfer Credits

Your Degree May Be Closer Than You Think

Through our Prior Learning Assessment process, you can apply to earn credit for the college-level knowledge and skills you have gained from your real-world experience, training, certifications, and previous education. In addition, course work from regionally accredited or internationally recognized institutions, or military training and experience, may transfer into Capella's degree programs.

Earning credit for your prior learning through our Prior Learning Assessment process, national testing program exams, or by obtaining transfer credits can shorten the time required to complete your degree and reduce your bottom-line tuition costs.

Credit for Prior Learning

• Certifications
• Work Experience and Training
• National Testing Exams
• Credit for Prior Learning Policy Information

Transfer Credits

• Previous Course Work
• Military Transcripts

Certifications

Credit through Capella's Prior Learning Assessment process
Our curriculum reflects the skills associated with leading certifications—CCNP®, MCSE, CISSP®, PMP, PHR-SPHR, and more. Through our Prior Learning Assessment process, you may be awarded credit for your knowledge gained through these certifications by demonstrating your mastery of the competencies addressed in related Capella program courses. Please note that holding a certification does not automatically qualify you to receive credit for course work; you must follow the Prior Learning Assessment process to be awarded credit, unless your certification is approved through one of Capella's education alliances.

Credit through Capella's education alliances
Currently, Capella's education alliances with AICPCU, IIA, and LOMA and Campus MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association) streamline the process for requesting transfer credit for your certification course work with these organizations.

Work Experience and Training

You may be able to earn credit for learning experiences that are the result of formal and informal work training, continuing education programs, self-instruction, and other sources by documenting that learning. Through our Prior Learning Assessment process, you may be awarded credit if you can demonstrate mastery of the competencies represented in program courses.

National Testing Exams

Approved national testing programs such as the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) may allow you to earn credit by examination for knowledge you may have gained through independent study, professional development, or non-credit adult courses. A maximum of 45 examination credits may be applied toward a Capella bachelor's degree.

Credit for Prior Learning Policy Information

Please see our Capella University credit for prior learning policy statement for important information regarding the Prior Learning Assessment process, criteria, and eligibility, as well as limits to the number of credits awarded through this process.

Bachelor's degree learners may fulfill no more than 50 percent of the total credits for the bachelor's program through the Prior Learning Assessment process. Master of Science learners in the School of Business and Technology may fulfill no more than 20 credits of required, program-specific course work through the Prior Learning Assessment process. Master of Business Administration (MBA) learners in the School of Business and Technology may fulfill no more than 15 credits of required, program-specific course work through the Prior Learning Assessment process.*

For certifications or other learning experiences to be considered for graduate or undergraduate credit, learners must follow the Prior Learning Assessment process exactly and must meet all Prior Learning Assessment credit requirements.

Prior Learning Assessment evaluation fees are nonrefundable; neither paying the fee nor following the process guarantee that credit will be awarded.

Previous Course Work

Course work from regionally accredited or internationally recognized institutions may transfer into Capella's degree programs. A course and credit evaluation is conducted by the Admissions Office upon your request. For more information or to get started with your evaluation, call 1-888-227-2736 for assistance.

Military Transcripts

Your military training and experience may apply toward a degree at Capella University. In order to have your prior educational experiences evaluated for credit, submit transcript(s) according to the guidelines for your branch of the military. Learn more about submitting military transcripts by calling our enrollment team: 1-888-315-8001.

*For residents of Washington state, prior learning assessment credits may be used for the bachelor's and MBA programs only.