CPL Options at City Colleges

You have a few different options for assessing prior learning at City Colleges.

Institutional Challenge Exams

Learn more about the City Colleges’ faculty-developed exams that measure student learning.

Institutional Challenge Exams are comprehensive exams that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of college-level learning. Students enrolled at any of the City Colleges are eligible to take an institutional challenge exam, even if they are administered by a single college.

Below are the exams and where they are currently available at City Colleges:

  • Business: BUS 111 exam is available at Olive-Harvey College
  • Emergency Medical Technician: EMT 101 exam is available at Malcolm X College
  • Biology: BIO 107 and BIO 120 exams are available at Malcolm X College
  • Exercise and Sports Science: ESSS 101, 102, 103, and 112 exams are available at Malcolm X College
  • Supply Chain and Management: SCML 150 and 152 exams are available at Olive-Harvey College
  • Health Professions: HEAPRO 102 exam is available at Malcolm X College
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Ready to take a Challenge Exam?

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Prior Learning Portfolios

Learn more about how to use a collection of supporting documentation that measures student learning and are evaluated by City Colleges faculty.

Using the prior learning portfolio method allows your prior learning to be evaluated by a subject matter expert for possible college credit.

Your first step is to learn how to identify areas of course-equivalent learning and how to develop your portfolio through the recommended City Colleges class Prior Learning Portfolio Development (INTDSP 105). Once you complete the course, you may write and develop portfolios and submit them for evaluation by the subject matter expert.

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Interested in creating a prior learning portfolio?

Fill out the interest form

Industry-recognized Credentials

If you have one of the certificates or licenses listed below, you may be able to earn credit towards your degree.

There are many certificates or licenses that document student qualifications and competencies within an industry. If you have one, you may be able to get credit toward your degree.

  • CDA – Childhood Development Associate may give you college credit for CD 120 and CD 299
  • OSHA 30 Construction Certificate may give you college credit for 432 CMGT 609
  • NIMS may give you credit for 340 MFGT 160 and 340 MFGT 119
  • COMPTIA A+ Certification may give you credit for CIS 111 and CIS 116
  • COMPTIA Security+ Certification may give you credit for COMPSFI 102

If you have one of the credentials above, here's what to do to get college credit.

*No expired credentials will be accepted.

Fill out the interest form

Prior Learning Partnerships

There are specific articulation agreements with professional organizations that provide professional development and/or employee training.

City Colleges forges relationships with community-based organizations and employers across the Chicago area to provide professional development and employee training. Some of these trainings can earn you college credit.

  • Regional Carpenter’s Union: please see an advisor at Dawson Technical Institute for course credit options.
  • Year Up may give you college credit for the following courses: CIS 120, CIS 123, CIS 111, CIS 116, CIS 181 CIS 260, ENGL 105, BUS 284
  • Sinai Urban Health Institute CHW core skills training may translate to college credit for CHW 121

City Colleges forges relationships with community-based organizations and employers across the Chicago area to provide professional development and employee training. Some of these trainings can earn you college credit.

  • Student who completes Year Up Chicago’s program, may give you college credit for the following courses: CIS 120, CIS 123, CIS 111, CIS 116, CIS 181 CIS 260, ENGL 105, BUS 284
  • Student who completes Sinai Urban Health Institute’s Community Health Worker Core Skills Training program may receive college credit for CHW 121
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Interested? Here are your next steps.

Fill out the interest form

Military Training and Occupations

If you have military training and experience gained from military service, you are eligible for college credit.

You may be able to apply your military experience toward your program of study. Please see the documentation needed to award college credit below, including the links to specific instructions.

  • DD214 may give you college credit for PHY ED 110, PHY ED 116, and HEALTH 251
  • JST – Joint Services Transcript: College credit may be awarded via ACE recommendation.
  • Prior Learning Portfolio – For training not listed via ACE. Please see the portfolio process.

Please note that CCAF (Community College of Air Force)/Air University is domestic credit and does not need any Credit for Prior Learning.

Learn more about the ACE Military Guide here.

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Interested? Here are your next steps.

Standardized Exams

These are comprehensive exams that measure student learning, are developed by third party organizations, and are evaluated by City Colleges faculty. Some exams such as AP and IB are offered in high school programs. However, exams such as CLEP and ACTFL, may be offered to any student, before or after matriculation into college.

Please see below for the various exams we accept.

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Interested? Here are your next steps.

Fill out the interest form

Do not see your credit for prior learning listed or have additional questions? Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to CPL@ccc.edu.

Interested? Fill out the form below to learn more and connect with a representative.

Frequently Asked Questions