Exam/Assessment

A student may challenge some classes by taking an examination or assessment.  Examinations/Assessments may be taken only once and, if passed, the credit will be posted on your permanent academic record.

Assessment can be defined as a skills demonstration, term paper, or any other method or combination of methods or tools that faculty use to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness and/or learnings of a student. An assessment may require a series of meetings or submissions.

Below is a list of classes in which a student may request credit by exam/assessment:

Please consult with your Counselor if the course you wish to petition is not on the approved list.

Deadlines

Submitting your CPL: Exam/Assessment petition before the deadline increases the likelihood that your petition will be evaluated before the end of that term.

  • Fall Semester deadline: October 15
  • Spring Semester deadline: March 10
  • Summer: as many faculty are not working during the summer, we cannot assure you that a petition submitted in summer will be evaluated during the summer
  • Note: petitions may still be submitted after the deadline, but may not be evaluated before the end of the term

How to request credit by exam/assessment

To request credit by exam/assessment, please follow these steps:

  1. Meet with your Counselor to discuss the particular course(s) you want to challenge. Be prepared to specifically discuss your relevant knowledge related to the course(s) content.
  2. Submit the Credit for Prior Learning: Exam/Assessment Form (Dynamic Forms) after meeting with your Counselor. 
  3. Your request will be routed to an appropriate Instructor who will contact you to discuss your relevant knowledge of the course content. The Instructor may decide one of three things:
    • You are not prepared to challenge the course by exam/assessment, or
    • The course itself is not appropriate for Credit by Exam/Assessment, or
    • You and the Instructor will set a date for your exam/assessment
  4. If you are approved to take the exam/assessment for credit, the grade the Instructor assigns you for the exam/assessment will be the grade posted to your transcript. 

Please Note: If Shasta College awards Credit for Prior Learning coursework and units, they will be used to fulfill your Shasta College graduation requirements. This coursework and associated units will be added to your Shasta College transcript. Financial Aid cannot be used to pay for units earned through CPL.

If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at Shasta College may not be accepted at another institution.

CPL: Exam/Assessment may be used toward the CalGETC general education pattern and CSU ADT degrees.

Contact Us

Speak to a counselor for all Credit for Prior Learning options and how they can best meet your academic goals.