Five Pathways for Prior Learning Assessment

Military Training & Experience

CSU reviews your Joint Services Transcript (JST) and other military training for academic credit.

- CSU accepts Joint Services Transcripts (JSTs), CCAF transcripts, and DoD training certificates.
- Credit earned through military training and experience does not apply toward CSU’s residence requirement.
- Veterans and service members with 180+ days of foreign service may request a waiver of the Global Human Perspectives general education requirement.

Get Started

- Request your JST or CCAF transcript.
- Gather any additional DoD training certificates.
- Meet with your academic coach.
- Military-affiliated students may also consult their assigned military advisor for JST evaluation, benefit, and funding questions.

Request Your Transcript

Find Your Assigned Military Advisor

Learn More About Using This Pathway

Professional Certifications & Industry Credentials

Turn approved industry-recognized certifications, licenses, and workforce training into CSU credit. Through the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process, students may be eligible to earn academic credit for approved professional certifications, industry credentials, licensure programs, apprenticeships, and structured workforce training.

Eligibility for credit is determined through faculty review and alignment with CSU course learning outcomes

Examples (illustrative):
- Healthcare: CNA, EMT, Paramedic, LPN, STNA
- Public Safety: Police academy, firefighter certification, corrections officer training
- IT: CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft, AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Trades/Technical: Apprenticeships, welding certifications, HVAC licensure
- Business/Process: Six Sigma, Lean certification

Get Started

- Review CSU’s approved list of certifications.
- Gather official documentation.
- Meet with your academic coach.

Learn More About Using This Pathway

Back to top

Standardized Exams for Credit

Earn credit by demonstrating knowledge through CLEP, DSST, AP, IB, or departmental exams.

- CSU awards credit for AP, CLEP, IB, and DSST exams, following Ohio Department of Higher Education statewide standards.
- Credit from AP, CLEP, and IB does not apply toward CSU’s residence requirement.

Get Started

- Meet with your academic coach to see which exams fit your degree plan.
- Register for CLEP or departmental exams at CSU.
- Arrange to send official AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST scores to the CSU Registrar.

External Test Credit

Learn More About Using This Pathway

Back to top

Portfolio Assessment

Showcase your learning through a portfolio that demonstrates how your experience matches CSU course outcomes.

- A portfolio is a structured collection of evidence (work samples, documentation, reflections) showing you’ve already mastered the outcomes of a CSU course.
- Credit awarded through portfolios is graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) and may carry evaluation fees (varies by college).
- A maximum of 90 credits may be awarded through portfolio assessment; students must complete at least 30 credits in residence at CSU.
- Colleges may set lower maximums due to accreditation or licensure requirements.

Get Started

- Meet with your academic coach to identify eligible courses.
- Gather documentation and develop your portfolio.
- Submit according to your college’s portfolio process.

Learn More About Using This Pathway

Back to top

Credit by Examination & Departmental Assessment

Demonstrate mastery of course content through departmentally approved examinations or assessments. This pathway includes both the Credit by Examination (CBE) process and a list of departmental exams currently available for credit.

Learn More About Using This Pathway

Examinations are administered under department-approved proctoring conditions and may be scheduled through the CSU Testing Center or another approved proctoring method.

Back to top