Credit for Prior Learning

• Credits earned in any combination of prior learning credit will not exceed 75 percent of the credits required.
• Students must submit official transcripts for review of transfer credits for previous education, training, experiential learning, or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) prior to the first day of the course for which the transfer credit is requested.
• Students must request a course-by-course evaluation of their foreign credentials. Transcripts from foreign institutions must meet the same requirements as domestic institutions and must be translated and evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluator on a course-by-course basis.

• A student may apply as many as three courses earned at another college or university toward the total number of credits required for graduation at Kaplan University.
• Students enrolled in the following programs may apply Challenge Exam credit toward select courses:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Science in Accounting
  • Master of Science in Finance
  • Master of Science in Management 
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management 
• Contact an Admissions Advisor for a complete list of eligible courses and eligibility requirements. All other graduate students may only apply transfer credit into their degree programs and are not eligible for other types of prior learning credit.
• Courses must have been completed prior to matriculation.
• Courses must be relevant to the degree in which the student is enrolled.
• Graduate transfer work completed more than 5 years prior to admission to Kaplan University will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in order to determine the applicability of the coursework.

At Kaplan University, we value your accomplishments—your work skills, your life experiences, your volunteer services. We’re committed to helping you translate them all into credits toward your degree.

For our undergraduate students, our portfolio development course helps you to document your college-level learning in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Note: Students enrolled in EL 203: Portfolio Development will pay a course fee. This fee will be refunded as follows: 100% if students withdraw from the course during add/drop week; 50% if students withdraw from the course after add/drop week, withdraw from Kaplan University before completing the course, fail the course, or do not submit a portfolio after completion of the course. Students who pass the course but do not submit a portfolio must contact their Assessment Specialist to request a refund. Students who submit a portfolio are not eligible for a refund. 

You could earn credit for completed college courses. To begin the process, download the Prior Learning Transcript Request Form and complete a separate form for each school you attended and are requesting transfer credits. Before mailing the form, contact your previous school’s Registrar’s Office to find out if they charge a fee for this service. You must submit all forms and fees directly to your previous school.

Note: All transcripts for transfer credit evaluation must be received by the last day of the first term.

Kaplan University recognizes the validity of military training as potential college credit. All military training that has been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and meets the requirements of a student’s undergraduate degree plan may be eligible for transfer credit. Please note that only transcripts received directly from Army/ACE or Sailor/Marine will be accepted for official review.

Students interested in this option should send an official transcript of their training to the Office of the Registrar. For information on how to request your military transcript, visit the following websites:

• Community College of the Air Force 
• Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript Systems (AARTS) 
• United States Coast Guard 
• Navy College Program 
• Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) 

Undergraduate students can test out of a course and still earn credit by attaining a predetermined score on a Kaplan University Challenge Exam or an approved external exam. In addition, students enrolled in the following programs may apply Challenge Exam credit toward select courses:

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science in Accounting
• Master of Science in Finance
• Master of Science in Management 
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management 

Kaplan University Challenge Exams

You can demonstrate proficiency in the learning outcomes of specific Kaplan University courses by passing a comprehensive exam. Kaplan University Challenge Exams can be used to waive prerequisites, determine class placement, and earn college credit. 

Not all courses provide this option, and Challenge Exams from other colleges or universities will not be accepted. A fee will be charged for taking a Challenge Exam. Official results of Challenge Exams must be received by the Office of the Registrar prior to your final term.

External Examinations

Externally administered examinations may also be considered for credit. Kaplan University students may qualify to receive credit by examination through the following:

• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Advanced Placement Program (AP)
• Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPTs)
• Educational Testing Service (ETS)
• Other similar exams

Credit may be awarded for each test in which the recommended minimum score is earned and based on program guidelines and course outcomes. Official results of standardized tests must be received by the Office of the Registrar prior to your final term.

If you have completed a professional certification or training, you may be eligible for undergraduate college credit. Kaplan University awards college credit for some corporate training programs and professional certifications, including:

Please contact your Education Advisor for additional information.

Reviewed Professional Learning

Reviewed professional learning consists of transcribed coursework from a professional or nonacademic environment that has been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) or Kaplan University staff using ACE guidelines and determined to be college level. Eligible coursework may include formal educational examinations, programs, and courses offered by organizations for their employees, members, or customers. These organizations may include business and industry, labor unions, professional and voluntary associations, schools, training suppliers, and government agencies.

Transfer of Credits to Other Schools

Students who wish to continue their education at other schools must not assume that credits earned at Kaplan University will be accepted by the receiving institution. It is the responsibility of students who plan to transfer to other schools to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the selected school and the requirements of that state’s licensing board, certification board, and accrediting body.

Institutions of higher education vary in nature and number of credits they will accept toward any program. It is at the sole discretion of that receiving institution to accept credits earned at the University. This is standard transfer-of-credit procedure. The University cannot guarantee the transferability of any credits to other institutions.

Tennessee residents should refer to their state-specific Enrollment Agreement.

Transferability of Credits Disclosure Statement Required Under Tennessee Code Section 49-7-144

Credits earned at Kaplan University may not transfer to another educational institution. Credits earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by Kaplan University. You should obtain confirmation that Kaplan University will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement. You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer credits earned at Kaplan University to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Kaplan University prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement. 

The ability to transfer credits from Kaplan University to another educational institution may be very limited. Your credits may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at Kaplan University if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. 

It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of credit policy of Kaplan University and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer the credits earned at Kaplan University before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.