Credit for Prior Learning

You may be able to receive graduate credit for what you’ve already learned on the job!

Prior Learning Guidelines - Graduate

Prior Learning Assessment Request - Graduate

Credit for Prior Learning Application - Graduate

Credit for Prior Learning - Undergraduate

A student may request credit towards a graduate degree for prior learning, usually professional experiences and other non-credit education. Full Graduate Prior Learning Guidelines appear above but here are some key points.

• Students must request a Prior Learning Assessment through the Graduate College after consulting with their graduate program coordinator to see if it may be appropriate and to review next steps.
• Some programs have predetermined that a particular credential or set of credentials is equivalent to a designated course in its major. In that case, students submit proof of credential attainment, and a completed Graduate Prior Learning Assessment Request form, via the Credit for Graduate Prior Learning Application form.
• If the program has not established equivalency, the student compiles a portfolio demonstrating alignment between their credentials and experiences and the learning outcomes of the course they seek credit for. They submit the portfolio, and a completed Graduate Prior Learning Assessment Request form, via the Graduate Credit for Prior Learning Application form.
• A graduate program is not required to offer prior learning credit.
• Credit for prior learning will not be awarded for any course a student previously attempted or completed at NSU as a regular or an audit student, or any course previously completed with a grade of “C” or lower, or any prior learning used to substantiate credit at the undergraduate level.
• The program faculty must evaluate the prior learning to determine the applicability and amount of credit. In addition, the prior learning credit must be deemed graduate level by the Program Chair, Department Chair, and Graduate Dean, and must meet or exceed the graduate course or program outcomes and be considered “B” level work or above.
• A maximum of seven (7) graduate credit hours can be awarded for prior learning. A student may only apply a total of nine (9) hours of coursework not originating from NSU (including transfer courses and prior learning credits).
• Charges for assessing and transcripting prior learning credit are assessed. Please see the Graduate Catalog’s Tuition, Fees, Financial Aid page for more information.
• Credit awarded to a student for prior learning must be validated by completing six (6) or more semester hours in the graduate program before being placed on the official transcript.