Credit for Prior Learning

Effective fall 2020, Napa Valley College approved a policy, Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) which is included in College Policies and Procedures (BP/AP 4235), Title 5 Sec. 55063/55052/55050, which works to expand current CPL practices at Napa Valley College. To see our board policy regarding CPL, visit our College Policies page. CPL is credit awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Students may petition for CPL credit through one of the following assessment methods: Standardized exams such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Exam Placement, Military Joint Services transcripts, Credit by Exam: High School to College, industry certifications or credentials, student-created portfolios, industry examinations administered by another agency, or credit by examination internal to NVC, or work-based learning. 
Per accreditation policy on assessing prior learning, in making the determination whether to award college credits, certificates, and degrees to students for prior learning, the following is considered: 

Students may initiate CPL petition requests through the Counseling Office, or the Program Coordinator/discipline faculty of the course requested credit. Counselor and Program Coordinator approval are both required. Please note that P/NP grades are the only grading option given for CPL assessed via military transcripts, industry certifications and credentials. CPL approved courses are annotated as such on the student's NVC transcript. 

The Napa Valley College Advanced Placement (AP) credit policy and procedure (BP/AP 4236) includes information about the process for awarding AP credit toward the NVC local associate degree. To see our board policy regarding external exam credit, visit our College Policies page. The information here indicates how Napa Valley College applies AP, IB, and CLEP credit toward NVC associate degree general education requirements and Cal-GETC, the singular transfer general education pattern. Students who have earned credit through AP, IB, and/or CLEP should not take a comparable college course if credit is given for the exam because credit will not be granted for both the external examination and the comparable college course. 
The application of subject credit and units for transfer admission and the use of external exams to meet major requirements is complex and specific to the transfer institution. Students are strongly encouraged to thoroughly research this information. Please consult with your NVC Counselor. 

The External Exam Credit Chart does not provide information about if or how transfer credit generated by external exams applies for the purpose of transfer admissions or for transfer major requirements. At Napa Valley College, each instructional division determines if or how the AP, IB, and/or CLEP credit is applied to associate degree major or certificate requirements.