Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning at the University of Michigan-Flint
As an institution dedicated to lifelong learning, the University of Michigan-Flint appreciates that the demonstration and documentation of learning can occur outside the classroom, specifically, from prior professional development. Accordingly, the university allows for the application, review and potential awarding of undergraduate academic credit.
There are three pathways to obtain academic credit through prior learning:
Professional Certification
If you have professional certifications such as:
- Google Project Management Certificate & Training
- IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate program or
- FINRA, Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam, Series 65
Internal Department Examination
Given the individual nature of this form of Prior Learning Assessment, please note that this process will require you to demonstrate and document your prior learning.
This process is department-specific and may require time to develop an examination.
Currently, there is a $105 fee for the administration of an Internal Department Examination.
Individual Portfolio Review
Given the individual nature of this form of Prior Learning Assessment, please note that this process will require you to demonstrate and document your prior learning.
Currently, there is a $525 fee for the administration of an Individual ePortfolio Review.
How to Get Started
If you believe your experience may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning, here’s how to begin:
- Talk to an academic advisor and the coordinator of Credit for Prior Learning.
- These individuals can help you understand which Credit for Prior Learning pathways may apply to your degree program and guide you through the next steps.
Things to Know
- Credit for Prior Learning is not guaranteed and is subject to departmental and program approval.
- Credit for Prior Learning credit may not be transferable to other institutions.
- Not all programs currently participate in Credit for Prior Learning opportunities.
- There may be fees associated with portfolio reviews or exam-based credit.
Questions?
If you’re curious about whether your experience might qualify for credit, we encourage you to contact Roy Barnes, the coordinator of Credit for Prior Learning, at rcbarnes@umich.edu.
Undergraduate academic credit can also be awarded through
Currently, UM-Flint does not recognize credits earned through such providers as Sophia Learning and Straighterline.
Credit for Prior Learning through Professional Certification
This pathway is the most straightforward because you have already demonstrated the necessary learning to earn professional certifications from agencies such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or industry leaders such as Google or IBM. If your certifications are still valid, they may already have been approved by our faculty. Please consult the list of approved certifications.
If the certification you have in mind is not listed, complete the application for Credit for Prior Learning Professional Certification form and send it to Roy Barnes, coordinator for credit for prior learning, at rcbarnes@umich.edu. Barnes will reply to your email and begin the process of having your credentials reviewed by the appropriate faculty at UM-Flint.
Professional Certification(s) or Licensure(s) Table
| Professional Certification(s) or Licensure(s) | Course Alignment | Credits Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Valid CompTIA Security+ Certification | CYB 101 | 3 |
| CET – Electrocardiogram Technician | HCR 2XX | 2 |
| CRAT – CCI Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician | HCR 2XX | 1 |
| EpicCare Ambulatory: Focuses on outpatient clinical workflows, and Epic Cadence: Manages scheduling and patient access, which complements outpatient services, and Epic Resolute Professional Billing: Handles billing for outpatient services. | HIM 3XX | 1 |
| Epic Prelude: Handles patient registration and admission processes, and Epic Cadence: Supports scheduling and is closely tied to registration, and Epic Resolute Hospital Billing: Manages inpatient and outpatient billing processes. | HIM 3XX | 1 |
| Epic MyChart, and Epic Professional Revenue Cycle Operations, and Epic Patient Financial Experience. | HIM 3XX | 1 |
| Google Data Analytics Certificate & Training | CSC 487 | 3 |
| Google Project Management Certificate & Training | MGT 397 | 3 |
| IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate program | CSC 122 | 3 |
| IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate program | CYB 101 | 3 |
| ISA Master Arborist Certification | BIO 3XX | 3 |
| ISCET Certification | DMT 260 | 3 |
| Leading Managers Program Certificate at DFW International Airport (6 months – 270 hours) | MGT 449 | 3 |
| MIT – No Code AI and Machine Learning: Building Data Science Solutions | CIS 3XX | 3 |
| National Association of Realtors – ePro Certification | MKT 3XX | 1 |
| Professional Learning Experiences: CNIO Expectations, and Professional Learning Experiences: Elec Safety Insulating Glvs and Blnkt, and Professional Learning Experiences: Electric Shock and Arc Flash Boundaries, and Professional Learning Experiences: Electric Shock and Arc Flash Hazard, and Professional Learning Experiences: Elec Shock and Arc Flash PPE, and Professional Learning Experiences: Elec Shock and Arc Flash Work Practices, and Professional Learning Experiences: Material of Trade & Other Expectations, and Professional Learning Experiences: Power Fundamentals CO/MTSO Virtual, and Professional Learning Experiences: Working with Power Tools, and LinkedIn Learning: Electrical Systems: Reading Drawings and Schematics, and Interview to verify learning from work experience. | EGR 330 | 4 |
| Project Management Institute – Managing Projects Using Earned Value Professional Certification | MGT 347 | 3 |
| R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT) #306277 – CAT Scan and Radiology Technologist (1996–2020) | RTT 3XX | 6 |
| Registered Behavioral Training Certificate | PSY 3XX | 3 |
| RPSGT – Register Polysomnography Technologist | HCR 2XX | 4 |
| SIE: Economic and Industry Principles Examination, and Series 6: Investment Company and Variable Contracts Representative Qualification Exam, and Series 63: Uniform Securities State Law Examination. | FIN 361 | 3 |
| SIE: Economic and Industry Principles Examination, and Series 6: Investment Company and Variable Contracts Representative Qualification Exam, and Series 63: Uniform Securities State Law Examination, and Series 65: North American Securities Administrators Association Investment Advisors Law Examination. | FIN 363 | 3 |
| State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Real Estate Salesperson License | MKT 3XX | 3 |
| State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Real Estate Salesperson License | MKT 3XX | 3 |
| Thinkful Data Analytics Bootcamp | CSC 487 | 3 |
Credit for Prior Learning through Internal Department Examination
You may also demonstrate prior learning through a departmental examination. These exams are developed and evaluated by expert faculty members. As each examination is specific to a department and discipline, the department establishes the score required to be awarded academic credit.
To begin the process, complete the Application for Credit for Prior Learning Challenge Exam form and send it to Roy Barnes, coordinator for credit for prior learning, at rcbarnes@umich.edu. Barnes will reply to your email and begin working with the department to administer the appropriate examination.
Currently, there is a $105 fee for administering an Internal Department Examination. This fee must be paid before the official assessment of prior learning process begins. To pay the fee, go to the following webpage.
Credit for Prior Learning through Individual Portfolio Review
When your prior learning does not fit neatly into the boxes of a professional certificate or learning that can be readily evaluated through a departmental examination, you may wish to pursue the evaluation of your prior learning through a portfolio review.
It is important that when contemplating this avenue to obtain academic credit for your prior learning, you must align your learning with the learning outcomes of specific classes in the University of Michigan-Flint’s Course Catalog. Furthermore, it is paramount to recognize that this process requires you to demonstrate and document your prior learning. A narrative of what you did is insufficient for acquiring academic credit. The university has established a template and scoring rubric that specifies our expectations and underscores the materials you will need to provide to have a successful outcome.
To begin this process, complete the Application for Credit for Prior Learning (Portfolio) form and send it to the Coordinator for Credit for Prior Learning, Roy Barnes, rcbarnes@umich.edu. Barnes will reply to your email and begin working with the department to arrange for an ePortfolio review.
Currently, there is a $525 fee for administering an ePortfolio review. This fee must be paid before the official assessment of the prior learning process begins. To pay the fee, go to the following webpage.
Finally, you may wish to review the following document that provides an overview of the ePortfolio process – including the appeal process – ePortfolio Template & Rubric and ePortfolio Review Flow Chart.