Because we recognize that you want to complete your degree as quickly as possible, the Adult Degree Program offers several options for earning credit for college-level learning that you acquired outside the traditional university classroom. By taking advantage of these options, students can accelerate completion of their degrees and reduce the overall cost of their education.

• Prior Learning Assessment
• Credit for Professional Development and Training
• Credit by Examination
• Credit by Challenging Cal Poly Courses
• Credit for Military Training and Service

ADP is proud to announce the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). PLA is designed to help current and prospective Adult Degree Program students learn how to develop and submit a portfolio for academic credit. Cal Poly will award academic credit for college-level learning acquired through life and work experiences, but outside a traditional college or university classroom. The workshop provides information on how to search your past for college-level learning, match your learning to college courses, and compile a portfolio for evaluation. It also briefly covers the several other avenues for earning academic credit for prior college-level learning which are available to Adult Degree Program students. 

We have scheduled two separate workshops during spring quarter on 5/12/08 or 6/2/08, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The fee is $35 and includes a handbook. Registration is required. Contact the office at (805) 756-7196.

Credit for Professional Development and Training
Students can use the American Council on Education’s National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training. Through the American Council on Education’s CREDIT program, hundreds of corporate, professional development, and other educational programs have been assessed and equated to college courses. If you have completed any of these courses, you may be eligible to receive Cal Poly credit toward your degree. The American Council on Education’s guide can be found online at www.acenet.edu/nationalguide/

Credit by Examination
Cal Poly grants credit to students who successfully pass examinations approved for credit by the California State University. These include the Advanced Placement Examination and some College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) examinations. Credit will not be awarded if the course already appears on the student’s transcript and the maximum amount of credit is 45 quarter units (Advanced Placement Examination credit excluded). For more information see the Cal Poly Catalog.

Credit by Challenging Cal Poly Courses
An ADP student may challenge a course in which he or she is qualified through previous education by taking an examination developed on campus. The examination may include written, oral, or skills tests, or a combination of all three types. The examination will be sufficiently comprehensive to determine that the student has the same knowledge and skills as those students who successfully complete the course. For more information see the Cal Poly Catalog.

Credit for Military Training and Service
Up to nine quarter units of elective credit will be allowed for any student submitting evidence of satisfactory completion of basic training. Credit is allowed in accordance with the American Council on Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services. This guide can be found online at http://militaryguides.acenet.edu/

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