Credit for Prior Learning

M State accepts results from these exams:

• American College Testing Program (ACT)
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Advanced Placement Program (AP)*
• DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
• National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)*
• Thomas Edison Credit-by-Examination Program (TECEP)
• uExcel College Examination Program*
• Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) exams
• New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP) exams
• Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services (FLATS)

* denotes scores admissible for first-year students only

An industry-based credential is endorsed by a nationally recognized association, organization or trade group that represents a significant part of that industry.

Such credentials include most work-related certification issued by an industry or professional association (e.g., Cisco Certified Network Administrator, the American Welding Society, American Heart Association for CPR and First Aid, by the American Red Cross)

Credit is awarded for:

• American Heart Association certificate
• American Red Cross certificate
• CompTIA certification
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf endorsement
• National Registered Emergency Medical Technician certification

Holding an occupational license shows that you have completed and been evaluated for proper training and educational requirements to receive a licensure to practice.

Examples of occupational licenses include:

• Registered nurse
• Licensed practical nurse
• Certified nursing assistant
• Emergency medical technician
• Cosmetologist (state-licensed)
• Teacher
• Teacher aide
• Pharmacy technician

Credit is awarded for:

• North Dakota POST certification
• U.S. Immigration Court/Department of Justice (SOSi) qualifications

M State recognizes and values the contributions of service members, veterans, dependents, and other military-related personnel to our nation. We recognize their professional military education and training and work to align it with our current curriculum and industry standards.

Many colleges and universities recognize and partner with third-party organizations that offer alternate options for adult learners. Educational organizations such as Straighterline, Study.com, and Sophia have been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and/or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), which provides a level of standardization and assessment of the academic equivalency and quality to their courses.

Students with non-traditional instruction and/or job training already reviewed and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) or by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) and other approved third-party entities may request to have their experiences reviewed for possible credit.

• American Council on Education (ACE)- National Guide
• National College Credit Recommendation Service

Credit is awarded for training and education from:

• Fargo Police Department (North Dakota)
• Sanford Health (North Dakota)
• 3H Interpreter Services (Minnesota)
• Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Interpreter Program (Minnesota)

Some learners enter M State with knowledge and skills not recognized by formal institutional credit awards. A work-based portfolio option allows students to seek credit based on their significant learning gained outside the classroom.

Students have the opportunity to submit a portfolio in support of their petition to the academic department for the award of equivalent academic credit for select courses.

Portfolios have a specific format and consist of:

• The description of how the course petitioned for academic credit fits the academic plan
• An extended learning narrative arguing that the prior learning matches the course’s learning objectives
• Documentation of evidence to verify and support statements in the portfolio packet

A faculty subject-matter expert reviews the portfolio as either pass with the course equivalency’s credits or no grade.

An articulation agreement is a formal partnership between M State and a community-based organization that allows for a formalized pathway leading to advanced standing in certain programs by identifying comparable workplace training and to degree coursework and requirements.