Recognizing Experience. Rewarding Achievement. Redefining Access.

At the Center for Academic Innovation, we believe that college-level learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom. Millions of adults have gained valuable knowledge and skills through work, military service, certifications, community engagement, and life experience. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is the bridge that connects that real-world learning to academic credit—saving students time and money while accelerating their path to a degree.

What is Credit for Prior Learning?

CPL is a process through which colleges and universities evaluate and award academic credit for college-level knowledge gained outside the traditional academic environment. This may include:

  • Work and professional experience

  • Military training and service

  • Industry certifications and licenses

  • Non-credit or continuing education programs

  • Volunteer or community-based learning

  • Self-directed study

By honoring the full breadth of a learner’s journey, CPL helps adult students persist and complete their degrees faster, with less debt.

How We Support Institutions

The Center for Academic Innovation partners with colleges, universities, and systems to scale CPL practices with integrity and impact. Our services include:

  • Policy and Process Development
    We help institutions develop clear, student-centered CPL policies aligned with state and accreditation guidelines.

  • Faculty and Staff Training
    We offer professional development for faculty assessors, advisors, and evaluators to ensure quality, consistency, and equity in credit decisions.

  • Portfolio Assessment Support
    From training faculty readers to designing assessment rubrics, we build capacity to evaluate prior learning through portfolios and narrative reflection.

  • Military and Workforce Alignment
    We work with institutions to map military occupations, apprenticeships, and certifications to academic programs, ensuring maximum credit recognition.

  • Student Experience and Access Design
    We help institutions streamline the CPL experience for students—creating intuitive pathways, removing unnecessary barriers, and promoting awareness.

Let’s Redefine What Counts as Learning

The Center for Academic Innovation exists to champion innovative, evidence-based strategies that expand access, recognize learning in all its forms, and accelerate student success. Credit for Prior Learning is not just a tool—it’s a commitment to equity, respect, and possibility.

Partner with us to build a smarter, more inclusive path forward for learners..