Save Time
You can complete your program faster by earning credit for what you already know.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is the evaluation and awarding of institutional credit for knowledge gained outside the traditional classroom.
At the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), we value the experience and knowledge you’ve gained outside the traditional classroom. Through our Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, you can turn your past experiences into academic credit, helping you reach your educational goals faster!
CSM evaluates your prior learning to determine if it aligns with courses in your current program of study. If your experience matches a course in the CSM catalog, we will award you credit for that course! Here are the different avenues you can use to earn CPL credit:
If you have taken a nationally recognized examination, such as AP, Cambridge, CLEP, or IB, you could receive credit!
If you have completed CTE coursework, a certification, or an apprenticeship, these credits may count towards your program of study!
You can complete your program faster by earning credit for what you already know.
CPL reduces the number of courses you need to take, helping you lower tuition costs.
Your prior experience and knowledge are acknowledged and valued by CSM.
External Assessment is a process that offers students the opportunity to obtain college credit for prior learning by way of national recognized examinations.
Eligible students may receive credits for Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations administered in the high schools.
The following AP Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).
AP Exam Name |
Score |
Credit |
Course Equivalent(s) |
African American Studies |
3-5 |
3 |
LAN Elective (can be used to fulfill the Humanities General Education requirement and Cultural and Global Awareness Core Requirement) |
Art History |
3 |
3 |
ART-1030 |
3-5 |
3 |
ART-1010 |
|
Biology |
3 |
4 |
BIO-1010 /BIO-1010L or BIO-1020 /BIO-1020L |
4 |
8 |
Choose Two Courses: BIO-1010 /BIO-1010L or BIO-1020 /BIO-1020L or BIO-1060 /BIO-1060L |
|
5 |
8 |
Choose Two Courses: BIO-1010 /BIO-1010L , BIO-1020 /BIO-1020L , BIO-1060 /BIO-1060L , BIO-1070 /BIO-1070L |
|
Chemistry |
3 |
4 |
CHE-1200 /CHE-1200L |
4 or 5 |
8 |
CHE-1200 /CHE-1200L and CHE-1210 /CHE-1210L |
|
Chinese Language and Culture |
3 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
4-5 |
6 |
LAN Elective |
|
Comparative Government and Politics |
3-5 |
3 |
POL-1050 |
Computer Science |
|
|
|
Computer Science A |
3-5 |
3 |
CSC-1100 |
Principles |
3-5 |
3 |
ITS-1055 |
Economics |
|
|
|
Macro |
3 |
3 |
ECN-1200 |
|
4-5 |
3 |
ECN-2025 |
Micro |
3 |
3 |
ECN-1200 |
|
4-5 |
3 |
ECN-2020 |
English |
|
|
|
Literature and Composition |
3-5 |
3 |
ENG-1020 |
Language and Composition |
3-5 |
3 |
ENG-1010 |
Environmental Sciences |
3-5 |
4 |
ENV-1300 /ENV-1300L |
European History |
3 4-5 |
3 6 |
Humanities General Education Elective Humanities General Education Elective |
French Language and Culture |
3-5 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
German Language and Culture |
3 4-5 |
3 6 |
LAN Elective LAN Elective |
Human Geography |
3-5 |
3 |
GRY-1020 |
Italian Language and Culture |
3 4-5 |
3 6 |
LAN Elective LAN Elective |
Japanese Language and Culture |
3 4-5 |
3 6 |
LAN Elective LAN Elective |
Latin
|
3 4-5 |
3 6 |
LAN Elective LAN Elective |
Mathematics |
|
|
|
CALC AB |
3-5 |
4 |
MTH-1200 |
CALC BC |
3-5 |
4 |
MTH-1200 and MTH-1210 |
Pre-Calculus |
3-5 |
4 |
MTH-1150 |
Statistics |
3-5 |
3 |
MTH-1015 |
Music Theory |
3, 4 or 5 |
3 |
Music Elective |
Physics |
|
|
|
PHY C Part I - Mechanics |
3-5 |
4 |
PHY-1310 |
PHY C Part II - Electricity and Magnetism |
3-5 |
4 |
PHY-2300 |
Physics - 1 |
3-5 |
4 |
PHY-1110 |
Physics - 2 |
3-5 |
4 |
PHY-1120 |
Psychology |
3-5 |
3 |
PSY-1010 |
Spanish Language and Culture |
3 |
6 |
SPA-1010 and SPA-1020 |
4-5 |
6 |
SPA-2010 and SPA-2020 |
|
Studio Art |
3-5 |
3 |
ART-1030 |
World History: Modern |
3-5 |
3 |
HST-1015 |
United States Government and Politics |
3-5 |
3 |
POL-1010 |
United States History |
3 |
3 |
HST-1031 or HST-1032 |
Submit official scores from College Board to:
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Registrar’s Office
Below is an example of how AP credit is listed on CSM transcript:
"The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma is an international curriculum and examination system that emphasizes the value of broad and balanced study. Alongside in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects, students also need to master a broader range of skills critical for success in university study and employment." (Source: Cambridge AICE Diploma, 2015). Click here to find more information about Cambridge Assessment International Education.
The following Cambridge Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s) for AS and A Levels.
Cambridge Exam Name |
Passing Score |
AS Level Credit Awarded for CSM Course |
A Level Credit Award for CSM Course |
||
Credit |
Course Equivalent(s) |
Credit |
Course Equivalent(s) |
||
Accounting |
A-C |
3 |
ACC-2010 |
6 |
ACC-2010 , ACC-2020 |
Biology |
A-B |
4 |
BIO-1060/BIO-1060L |
8 |
BIO-1060 /BIO-1060L , BIO-1070 /BIO-1070L |
Business |
A-C |
3 |
BAD-1015 |
3 |
BAD-1015 |
Chemistry |
A-B |
4 |
CHE-1200/CHE-1200L |
8 |
CHE-1200 /CHE-1200L , CHE-1210 /CHE-1210L |
Economics |
A-C |
3 |
ECN-2020 |
6 |
ECN-2020 , ECN-2025 |
English - Language OR |
A-C |
3 |
ENG Elective |
6 |
ENG-1010 , ENG-1020 |
Language & Literature |
A-C |
3 |
ENG Elective |
6 |
ENG-1010 , ENG-1020 |
English Literature |
A-C |
3 |
ENG Elective |
6 |
ENG-2010 , ENG Elective |
History-American |
A-C |
3 |
HST Elective |
6 |
HST-1031 , HST-1032 |
History |
A-C |
3 |
HST Elective |
3 |
HST-1015 |
Mathematics |
A-D |
3 |
MTH-1010 |
6 |
MTH 1010, MTH-1015 |
Music |
A-D |
3 |
MUS-1020 |
3 |
MUS-1020 |
Physics |
A-B |
4 |
PHY-1110 |
8 |
PHY-1110 , PHY-1120 |
Psychology |
A-C |
3 |
PSY Elective |
3 |
PSY-1010 |
Sociology |
A-C |
3 |
SOC Elective |
3 |
SOC-1010 |
Spanish |
A-C |
3 |
SPA Elective |
6 |
SPA-1020 , SPA-2010 |
Submit official scores from Cambridge to:
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Registrar’s Office
Below is an example of how Cambridge credit is listed on CSM transcript:
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program of credit-by-examination that offers students the opportunity to obtain college credit for prior academic achievement.
The following CLEP Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).
CLEP Subject Exam Name |
Acceptable Score |
Credit |
Course Equivalent(s) |
Financial Accounting |
50 |
3 |
ACC-2010 |
Principles of Management |
50 |
3 |
BAD-1210 |
Introductory Business Law |
50 |
3 |
BAD-2070 |
Principles of Marketing |
50 |
3 |
BAD-2610 |
Biology |
50 |
3 |
BIO Elective |
Chemistry |
50 |
3 |
CHE-1050 |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
50 |
3 |
ECN-2020 |
Principles of Microeconomics |
50 |
3 |
ECN-2020 |
College Composition |
50 |
3 |
ENG-1010 |
*College Composition Modular |
50 |
3 |
ENG-1010 |
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
50 |
3 |
ENG-1020 |
English Literature |
50 |
6 |
ENG-2010 and ENG-2020 |
American Literature |
50 |
6 |
ENG-2200 and ENG-2210 |
French Language - Level I |
50 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
French Language - Level II |
62 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
French Language - Level II |
50 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
Western Civilization I: Ancient Far East to 1648 |
50 |
3 |
HST-1011 |
Western Civilization II: 1648 to present |
50 |
3 |
HST Elective |
History of the United States I: Early Colonizations to 1877 |
50 |
3 |
HST-1031 |
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present |
50 |
3 |
HST-1032 |
Humanities |
50 |
3 |
Humanities General Education Elective |
*Social Sciences and History |
50 |
3 |
HST Elective |
Information Systems and Computer Applications |
50 |
3 |
ITS-1010 |
German Language - Level 1 |
50 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
German Language - Level II |
62 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
College Mathematics |
50 |
3 |
MTH-1010 |
College Algebra |
50 |
3 |
MTH-1120 |
*Precalculus |
50 |
4 |
MTH-1150 |
Calculus |
50 |
4 |
MTH-1200 |
American Government |
50 |
3 |
POL-1010 |
Introductory Psychology |
50 |
3 |
PSY-1010 |
Human Growth and Development |
50 |
3 |
PSY-2050 |
*Introduction to Educational Psychology |
50 |
3 |
PSY Elective |
Natural Sciences |
50 |
3 |
SCE Elective |
Introductory Sociology |
50 |
3 |
SOC-1010 |
Spanish Language - Level I |
50 |
6 |
SPA-1010 and SPA-1020 |
Spanish Language - Level II |
63 |
3 |
SPA-2010 |
Spanish Language - Level III |
72 |
3 |
SPA-2020 |
Submit official scores from College Board to:
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Testing Center
Below is an example of how CLEP credit is listed on CSM transcript:
U.S. high school students may take International Baccalaureate Program Examinations (IB) exams while in high school.
The following IB Listing includes acceptable exams, titles, and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).
IB Subject Area |
Exam Title/Exam Level |
Score |
Credit |
CSM Equivalent(s) |
Anthropology |
Social and Cultural Anthropology-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
SOC Elective |
Arts |
Visual Arts-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ART-1030 |
Biology |
Biology-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
BIO Elective |
Biology-Higher |
5,6,7 |
4 |
BIO-1060 /BIO-1060L |
|
Business |
Business-Standard & Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
BAD Elective |
Chemistry |
Chemistry-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
CHE-1050 |
Chemistry-Higher |
5,6,7 |
4 |
CHE-1200 /CHE-1200L |
|
Chinese |
Chinese-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
Chinese-Higher |
5 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
|
Chinese-Higher |
6,7 |
6 |
LAN Elective |
|
Computer Science |
Computer Science-Standard & Higher |
5,6,7 |
8 |
CSC-2591 /CSC-2592 |
Design Technology |
Design Techology-Standard & Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ART Elective |
Economics |
Economics-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ECN-1200 |
Economics-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
ECN-1200 /ECN-2025 |
|
English |
English A Literature-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ENG Elective |
English A Literature-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ENG Elective |
|
Environmental Science |
Environmental Science and Societies-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ENV-1300 |
Film |
Film-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ENG Elective |
French |
French-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
French-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
LAN Elective |
|
Geography |
Geography-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
GRY-1020 |
Geography-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
GRY-1020 /GRY Elective |
|
German |
German-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
German-Higher |
5 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
|
German-Higher |
6,7 |
6 |
LAN Elective |
|
Health |
Health-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
WFS-1701 |
History |
History-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
HST Elective |
History-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
HST Elective |
|
Information Technology |
Information Technology in a Global Society-Standard or Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
ITS Elective |
Italian |
Italian-Standard or Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
Latin |
Latin-Standard or Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
Mathematics |
Mathematical Methods |
4,5,6,7 |
3 |
MTH-1010 |
Music |
Music-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
MUS-1020 |
Music-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
MUS-1020 |
|
Philosophy |
Philosophy-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
PHL-1010 |
Philosophy-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
PHL-1010 /PHL Elective |
|
Physics |
Physics-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
PHY Elective |
Physics-Higher |
5,6,7 |
4 |
PHY-1110 |
|
Psychology |
Psychology-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
PSY-1010 |
Psychology-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
PSY-1010 /PSY Elective |
|
Russian |
Russian-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
LAN Elective |
Russian-Higher |
5,6,7 |
6 |
LAN Elective |
|
Spanish |
Spanish-Standard |
5 |
3 |
SPA-2010 |
Spanish-Standard |
6,7 |
6 |
SPA-2010 /SPA-2050 |
|
Spanish-Higher |
5 |
6 |
SPA-2010 /SPA-2020 |
|
Spanish-Higher |
6,7 |
9 |
SPA-2010 /SPA-2020 /SPA-2050 |
|
Theatre |
Theatre-Standard |
5,6,7 |
3 |
THE-1010 |
Theatre-Higher |
5,6,7 |
3 |
THE-1010 |
Submit official scores from IB to:
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Registrar’s Office
Below is an example of how IB credit is listed on CSM transcript:
Students successfully completing a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in high school may receive articulated credit(s) for applicable designated letters of recognition, certificates, and associate of applied science degrees in a career field at CSM.
CTE Program Listing includes programs by county, with acceptable courses, grades, and their college course equivalent(s) and credits(s).
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Registrar’s Office
OR
Electronic
Below is an example of how the CTE credit is listed on CSM transcript:
Certification Verification (CV) is a process that offers students the opportunity to obtain college credit for prior industry, skilled trade, or non-credit certifications.
Certification | Course Equivalent (credits) |
CompTIA A+ | ITS-1050 Computing Essentials (3) |
CompTIA ITF+, A+ | ITS-1055 Introduction to Computing (3) |
CompTIA Linux+ | ITS-1960 Introduction to Linux (3) |
W3S HTML | ITS-1205 Internet and Web Application Essentials (3) |
CompTIA Sec+ | ITS-2090 Computer Security (3) |
CCNA | ITS-2527 Enterprise Networking (3) (Covers ITS-2511 and ITS-2516 as well) |
CompTIA CySA+ | ITS-2536 Network and Infrastructure Defense (3) |
CompTIA Pentester+ | ITS-2500 Ethical Hacking (3) |
CompTIA Network+ | ITS-2021 Local Area Network Administration (3) |
AWS Practitioner | ITS-2400 Introduction to Cloud Computing (3) |
AWS Solutions Architect Associate | ITS-2410 Cloud Infrastructure and Services (3) |
PCEP/PCAP | CSC-1100 Practical Programming with Python (3) (CSC-1110 Program Design and Development) |
Below is an example of how CV credit is listed on CSM the transcript:
Current policy is under construction.
A departmental examination (DE) is created by the appropriate college department and is administered by appointment in the Testing Center.
School of Liberal Arts |
School of STEM and Professional Studies |
School of Health Sciences |
EDU-1012* EDU-1013* EDU-1110* |
ACC-2027*** BIO-1040/L** BIO-1060/L** BIO-1070/L** BIO-1650** BIO-2160** BIO-2170** BIO-2180** BIO-2800** ENV-1300/L** |
HEA-1100 |
*Prior approval must be received by Early Childhood Development program coordinator.
**Prior approval must be received by the Science Department Chair.
***Prior approval may be required by the Business Department Chair.
Below is an example of how DE credit shows on the transcript:
Current policy is under review.
Defense Subject Standardized Test (DSST) exams are college subject tests that you can take to earn college credit for knowledge you have already learned outside of a traditional classroom.
The following DSST Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s):
DSST Subject Exam Name |
Acceptable Score |
Credit |
Course Equivalent(s) |
Personal Finance |
400 |
3 |
ACC-1025 |
*Principles of Finance |
400 |
3 |
ACC-2681 |
Astronomy |
400 |
3 |
AST-1010 |
Money and Banking |
400 |
3 |
BAD Elective |
Introduction to Business |
400 |
3 |
BAD-1015 |
*Principles of Supervisor |
400 |
3 |
BAD-1210 |
Business Mathematics |
400 |
3 |
BAD-1300 |
Human Resource Management |
400 |
3 |
BAD-2700 |
Organizational Behavior |
400 |
3 |
BAD-2710 |
Criminal Justice |
400 |
3 |
CJS 1015 |
Environmental Science |
400 |
4 |
ENV-1300 /ENV-1300L |
*Management Information Systems |
400 |
3 |
ITS Elective |
Computing and Information Technology |
400 |
3 |
ITS-1010 |
*Fundmental of Cybersecurity |
400 |
3 |
ITS-1055 |
*Principles of Physical Science I |
400 |
3 |
PHY Elective |
Submit official scores for DSST via your Air Force & Joint Services Transcript to the Testing Center.
College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Testing Center
Below is an example of how DSST credit shows on the transcript:
Military Transfer Credit (MTC) may be awarded for students who served in the U.S. Military. Credit for courses or programs offered by employers, professional organizations, and other agencies is granted upon submission of the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST provides recommendations for course credit made by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the credits granted are limited to those courses that the college determines to be applicable to its degree and certificate programs.
Visit the Transfer Evaulation System Website
Below is an example of how MTC is listed on CSM transcript:
Transfer Services gives students who have previously completed coursework at another college or university the opportunity to receive credit for their prior learning by requesting an evaluation of their official transcript(s).
Reverse Transfer gives students who have earned 15 or more credits at CSM and have transferred to a four-year institution without earning an associate degree the opportunity to transfer the courses from the four-year institution back to CSM to complete an associates degree.
Visit the Reverse Transfer Website
Below is an example of how Transfer credit shows on the transcript:
The WFD Prior Learning Evaluation is a review of trades training or licensure, which may translate into credit for prior learning.
The following are examples of how credits could be earned:
Letter of Recognition | Certificate | Degree |
|
|
|
CPL processes depend upon the avenue of CPL being sought:
CPL fees vary upon the avenue of CPL being sought:
The only CPL credits that have an appeal process are Military and Transfer.
301-934-7588 (phone)