CPL FAQs

MAP (Mapping Articulated Pathways) is a tool colleges use to award credit for prior learning. It helps match military and professional experience to college courses using ACE and other guidelines. Colleges like Cypress College use MAP to streamline CPL requests by mapping experience, validating it through faculty review, and outlining clear pathways to degrees and certificates.

Students with industry certifications, military training, or relevant work experience may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) through exams, industry credentials or portfolio review.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be in good standing at Cypress College
• Have earned credit or be currently enrolled at the college
• Have an Education Plan on file
• Not be enrolled in the course for which CPL is requested

Each CPL eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods may include:

• Achievement of a satisfactory score on an Advanced Placement (AP) examination
• Achievement of a satisfactory score on a high-level International Baccalaureate (IB) examination
• Achievement of a satisfactory score on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Evaluation of military service Joint Service Transcripts (JST)
• Achievement of an examination administered by other agencies
• Evaluation of industry-recognized credential documentation
• Evaluation of student-created portfolios
• Satisfactory completion of an institutional examination, known as Credit by Examination, administered by the college in lieu of completion of an active course listed in the current college catalog
  • Students petitioning for CBE credit must request to test out of a specific class.
  • CBE can only be petitioned no later than the eighth week of the semester.
  • If you will be applying for transfer to a CSU or UC, Credit by Examination is the most widely accepted form of CPL across systems.

Credit for Prior Learning is an equity driven initiative intended to advance the student’s educational progress; therefore, it is offered at no cost to the student

Please contact one of our CPL coordinators for more information:

• CPL Co-Coordinator, Dr. Juan Garcia: jgarcia@cypresscollege.edu
• CPL Co-Coordinator, Jacky Rangel: jrangel@cypresscollege.edu
• CPL@cypresscollege.edu (for general inquiries)

Different forms of CPL have unit caps, please reach out to the CPL co-coordinators for more information.