Credit for Prior Learning

Eligible students may receive credits for Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations administered in the high schools.

AP Listing:

AP Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).

Considerations for AP credit:

• There is no cost for review of AP credit.
• Credit for the AP exams will be posted to the student’s record within two (2) weeks after receipt of official scores from College Board.
• AP credit may not be awarded for a course that was previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM may award AP credit and equivalent course(s) differently than prior and future transfer institutions; therefore, students are required to submit an official score report directly from College Board to receive credit at CSM.
• Should a student plan on transferring AP credit to another institution, the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

How to apply for AP credit:

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. 

Cambridge Listing:

Cambridge Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s) for AS and A Levels.

Considerations for Cambridge credit:

• There is no cost for review of Cambridge credit.
• Credit for Cambridge exams will be posted to the student’s record within two (2) weeks after receipt of official scores from Cambridge.
• Cambridge credit may not be awarded for a course previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM may award Cambridge credit and equivalent course(s) differently than prior and future transfer institutions; therefore, students are required to submit an official score report directly from Cambridge to receive credit at CSM.
• Should a student plan on transferring Cambridge credit to another institution, the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

How to apply for Cambridge credit:

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

CLEP Listing:

CLEP Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).

Considerations for CLEP:

• The cost for CLEP exams can be found here.
• Credit for the CLEP exams will be posted within four (4) weeks after receipt of official scores from College Board.
• According to CLEP, students who fail an examination may attempt most examinations again after six (6) months.
• CLEP credit may not be awarded for a course that was previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM may award CLEP credit and equivalent course(s) differently than prior and future transfer institutions; therefore, students are required to submit an official score report directly from College Board to receive credit at CSM.
• Should a student plan on transferring CLEP credit to another institution, the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

How to apply for CLEP credit:

If submitting from outside CSM:

Submit official scores from College Board to:

College of Southern Maryland
8730 Mitchell Road
PO Box 910
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Attn: Testing Center

If completing at CSM:

1. Meet with a CSM Academic Advisor to determine the correct exam(s) to take and passing score(s) required.
2. Register and pay for your exam using the Registration Portal.
3. Contact the CSM Testing Center of your choice to schedule an appointment. CLEP exams will not be administered during the weeks of midterm and final examinations.

• There is a CSM Test Proctoring fee, $30, which must be paid prior to taking the test and is non-refundable.
• You can download the Test Payment Fee hardcopy form and pay at the Student Account Services Office during regular business hours by cash, check, money order or credit card. Use the online Test Payment Fee Authorization form to pay by credit card during non-business hours. Save your receipt!

3. On the day scheduled for the exam, bring your CLEP Registration Ticket, your receipt showing payment of the test proctoring fee for each exam you are taking, AND a government issued photo ID with signature such as a driver's license.
4. CLEP results for multiple choice exams are generally available immediately after testing; however, scores are not entered in the student’s record until an official transcript is received from College Board.

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.

IB Listing:

IB Listing includes acceptable exams, titles, and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).

Considerations for IB credit:

• There is no cost for review of IB credit.
• Credit for IB exams will be posted to the student’s record within two (2) weeks after receipt of official scores from IB.
• IB credit may not be awarded for a course that was previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM may award IB credit and equivalent course(s) differently than prior and future transfer institutions; therefore, students are required to submit an official score report directly from IB to receive credit at CSM.
• Should a student plan on transferring IB credit to another institution, the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

How to apply for IB credit:

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:

CTE Program Listing includes programs by county, with acceptable courses, grades, and their college course equivalent(s) and credits(s).

Considerations for CTE credit:

• To earn CTE credit, students must earn the minimum grade as dictated by each county’s program requirements.
• CTE credit only applies to the programs of study as listed on each county’s program.
• There is no cost for review of CTE credit.
• CTE credits will be posted to the student’s record within one (1) week after receipt of evaluation request and official high school transcript.
• CTE credits may not be awarded for a course previously attempted at CSM.
• CTE credits typically do not transfer to other institutions. Should a student plan on transferring CTE articulated credit to another institution, the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

How to apply for CTE credit:

1. You must complete the entire CTE program in high school.
2. Complete the CSM Admissions Application and declare a program of study (based on the programs of study that apply to the articulation agreements as listed on the evaluation request form).
3. Complete the Evaluation Request Form.
4. Order your official completed high school transcript with the official school seal and have them sent to the Registrar’s Office:

   Mail

   College of Southern Maryland
   8730 Mitchell Road
   PO Box 910
   La Plata, Maryland 20646
   Attn: Registrar’s Office

   OR

   Electronic

   registrar@csmd.edu

5. When all materials are received and evaluated, students will receive a letter and evaluation report that details the credits they receive.

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.

CV Listing

Considerations for CV credit:

• The cost for CV is $20/credit.
• Credit for CV will be posted to the student’s record within six (6) weeks after receipt of form and credentials from Advising.
• CV credit may not be awarded for a course previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM may award CV credit and equivalent course(s) differently than prior and future transfer institutions.
• Should a student plan on transferring CV credit to another institution the student should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer

How to apply for CV credit:

1. Meet with a CSM Academic Advisor to determine if CV is an appropriate choice for your academic goals, submit certification documentation.
2. Await processing of CV request through Department of Learning academic department(s) and the Registrar’s Office.
3. The Registrar’s Office will send notification of CV approval with directions to contact Student Account Services (301-934-7712 or Student Accounts) to make payment.
4. Upon processing of payment, the Registrar’s Office will provide notification for finalization of CV.

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.

DE Listing

*Prior approval must be received by Early Childhood Development program coordinator.

**Prior approval must be received by the Science Department Chair.

Considerations for DE:

• The cost for a DE is $20/credit.
• DE that are attempted, but not passed are not recorded.
• Tests may only be re-taken once.
• Students who fail a DE must wait a minimum of two (2) weeks to re-take most exams. Specific DE may have longer wait periods between re-tests or required remediation activities, so re-takes also require the permission of the chair of the academic division responsible for the DE.
• DE credit may not be awarded for a course previously attempted at CSM.

How to apply for DE credit:

1. Meet with a CSM Academic Advisor to determine if DE is an appropriate choice for your academic goals.
2. After receiving approval to take the DE, you will register for the DE section of the course for which you wish to earn credit.
3. The CSM Testing Centers charge an additional fee for DE. This fee must be paid at the Student Account Services Office after registering for the exam. You can download the Test Payment Fee hardcopy form and pay at the Student Account Services Office during regular business hours by cash, check, money order or credit card. Use the online Test Payment Fee Authorization form to pay by credit card during non-business hours. Save your receipt!
4. Schedule an appointment with the Testing Center of your choice. The Testing Center will contact the department to release the exam.
5. DE must be taken within thirty (30) days of registering for the test.
6. On the day of the exam, bring your receipt showing payment of the test fee for each departmental examination you are taking and a photo ID.
7. DE results should be available within three (3) weeks after the exam has been taken.

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.

DSST Listing

DSST Listing includes acceptable exams and scores with their college course credit(s) and equivalent(s).

Considerations for DSST:

• The cost for DSST exams can be found here.
• DSST information for military personnel, their qualifying spouses, veterans, and select civilian employees who wish to take advantage of DANTES funding for their exams can be found here.
• Students who fail an examination may attempt most examinations again after six months.
• DSST credit may not be awarded for a course previously failed or audited at CSM.

How to apply for DSST credit:

If submitting from outside CSM:

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

If completing at CSM:

1. Meet with a CSM Academic Advisor.
2. Contact the CSM Testing Center of your choice to schedule an appointment.
3. There is a CSM Test Proctoring fee, which must be paid prior to taking the test and is non-refundable. The Test Proctoring fee is $30. You can download the Test Payment Fee hardcopy form and pay at the Student Account Services Office during regular business hours by cash, check, money order or credit card. Use the online Test Payment Fee Authorization form to pay by credit card during non-business hours. Save your receipt!
4. On the day of the exam, bring your receipt showing payment of the test proctoring fee for each exam you are taking, AND a government issued photo ID with signature such as a driver's license.
5. DSST results for multiple choice exams are generally available immediately after testing. Scores are entered in the student’s record within four (4) weeks.

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

Considerations for MTC:

• Credit from ACE may not be used to replace a course previously failed or audited at CSM.
• CSM is not obligated to accept every recommendation made by ACE.

How to apply for MTC:

• The Joint Services Transcript (JST) is free of charge and can be requested here. 

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).

Visit the Transfer Services Website

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 Portfolio Evaluation is a review of trades training or licensure, which may translate into credit for prior learning.

Visit the WFD Portfolio Review Website

The following are examples of how credits could be earned:

CPL processes depend upon the avenue of CPL being sought:

• External Asessment credits will be posted to the student’s record within two to four (2-4) weeks after receipt of the official scores.
• Articulated Credit varies:
  • Career and Technical Education credit will be posted to the student’s record within one (1) week after receipt of evaluation request and official high school transcript.
  • Certification Verification credit will be posted to the student’s record within six (6) weeks after receipt of form and credentials from Advising.
• Internal Assessment varies:
  • Departmental Exam credit will be posted to the student's record within three (3) weeks after completion of the exam.
  • Portfolio Assessment depends upon the complexity of the portfolio.
• Military Credit varies:
  • DSST credit will be posted to the student's record within four (4) weeks from receipt of the scores.
  • Military Transfer credit will be posted to the student's record within two to four (2-4) weeks receipt of the transcript.
• Transfer Credit will be posted to the student's record within two to four (2-4) weeks from receipt of the request form and transcript/other required documentation.

• Other college’s acceptance of CPL credit is up to that institution.
• Students should contact that institution to determine if/how CPL credits will transfer.

CPL fees vary upon the avenue of CPL being sought:

• External Assessment credits have no fee for review at CSM; however, the actual exams have fees.
• Articulated Credit varies:
  • Career and Technical Education credit has no fee.
  • Certification Verification has a fee of $20/credit.
• Internal Assessment varies:
  • Departmental Exams have a fee of $20/credit.
  • Portfolio Assessment policy is under review.
• Military Credit varies:
  • If DSST score request is not submitted at the time of exam, a transcript fee may be applied.
  • Military Transfer Joint Services Transcripts are free of charge.
• Transfer Credit has no fee for review at CSM; however, each institution has different fees for acquiring official transcripts.

• All CPL credit approval/denial notifications are sent by email.
• If you do not receive notification regarding your CPL within the time period noted, please contact the Credit for Prior Learning Office (Credit for Prior Learning or 301-934-7588).

The only CPL credits that have an appeal process are Military and Transfer.

Visit the Transfer Appeals Process