PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT

CURRENT POLICY

Calvary Chapel University provides the opportunity for students to earn prior experiential learning credits for undergraduate degrees only. Prior learning experience may be substituted as academic credit through an evaluation of an individual portfolio or an examination conducted by an academic department of the University.

Credits are applied upon approval from the Registrar, and there is a $275 fee per course for experience-based credit evaluations.

Prior learning credits are considered transfer credits and are subject to Calvary Chapel University’s institutional Transfer Credit Policy. Credit may be granted for specific courses or for general prior learning experiences for which no direct Calvary Chapel University course equivalent exists.

Only individuals who have not participated in similarly scheduled coursework are eligible to receive prior learning experience credit. Credit by examination may be earned only once in a single subject; a similar subject test in another testing program will not earn additional credits.

The amount of credit awarded, any course substitutions, and graduation requirements satisfied through experiential learning are determined by the Registrar and the Chief Academic Officer (CAO).

CREDIT LIMITS

  • First 60 credits of an undergraduate program: up to 15 credits may be awarded for prior experiential learning.

  • Second 60 credits (credits 61–120): up to 15 credits may be awarded for prior experiential learning.

Calvary Chapel University only offers prior experiential credits for undergraduate programs. Please refer to the Catalog or Student Handbook for requirements under the Life Experience Policy.

ELIGIBILITY & EVALUATION CRITERIA

Students may be eligible for prior experiential learning credit if they meet the following criteria:

  • The student has not completed similar coursework at Calvary Chapel University or another institution.

  • The learning experience demonstrates college-level knowledge and competencies equivalent to undergraduate course outcomes.

  • Credit by examination is permitted only once per subject area.

  • Prior learning may be evaluated through:

    • Individual portfolio review, or

    • Departmental examination

  • Credit may be awarded for:

    • Specific Calvary Chapel University course equivalents, or

    • General learning experiences without a direct course match

  • Final determinations regarding credit amounts, substitutions, and graduation applicability are made by the Registrar and CAO.

PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT

  1. Apply and Enroll

    Credit for prior learning will not be evaluated until the applicant is accepted and enrolled as a Calvary Chapel University student.

  2. Submit Application for Prior Experiential Credit

    Applications are available on the Calvary Chapel University website. Students must submit the completed form and all required documentation.

  3. Portfolio or Examination Review

    The University may require:

    • A portfolio demonstrating prior learning, or
    • A departmental examination

  4. Registrar Evaluation

    The Registrar reviews all materials and consults with the CAO to determine:

    • Credit awarded
    • Course substitutions
    • Graduation requirements satisfied

  5. Notification

    Students are notified once credits have been evaluated and applied to their academic record.

  6. Fee Payment

    A $275 fee per course is required for experiential learning credit evaluation.

FORMS

Students applying for Prior Experiential Learning Credit must submit the Prior Experiential Learning Evaluation Request Form, available through the application link below. This form begins the official review process and allows students to present evidence of college-level learning gained through professional, ministry, or life experience.

Credit for prior experiential learning is not automatic; it is awarded based on the strength of the evidence the student provides. When requesting credit for a specific Calvary Chapel University course, students must demonstrate that they have sufficiently mastered the academic learning objectives for that course. For general, non-course-specific credit, students must show mastery of the subject area through appropriate supporting materials such as professional training certificates, documentation of seminars, or other verifiable records.

All requests are evaluated through a portfolio review or, when applicable, an examination administered by the academic department. If general experiential credit is granted, it will appear on the transcript as “Credit for Prior Learning/Life Experience.” The Registrar, CAO, or Dean of the college in which the subject area resides is responsible for determining whether credit will be awarded and may consult faculty as needed. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

To complete the application, students must attach the following materials:

  • A written essay or narrative describing the life experiences related to the credit being requested

  • A clear explanation of how these experiences align with specific course goals and descriptions

  • Documentation supporting the experiential learning (certifications, seminar records, course grades, letters, etc.)

  • A current resume

Students should ensure all materials are complete before submitting the form, as incomplete applications cannot be evaluated. For additional information or assistance, students may contact the Registrar’s Office.

Request Prior Learning Evaluation