College-level learning acquired through non-college experience is called prior learning. Credit for prior learning is not granted for the experiences you have had, but rather for the learning that has resulted from those experiences. Students cannot use Prior Learning Assessment credit to replace an unsatisfactory grade in their GPA. However, students who attempt and pass a form of Prior Learning Assessment credit may still use this satisfactory credit to meet program, degree, and graduation requirements. NKU Prior Learning Assessment credit will only be granted for students who have enrolled at NKU.
Credit may be awarded based on educational programs offered by many large corporations or nonacademic institutes. Only programs approved and recommended by the American Council on Education will be considered for credit. Students may request evaluation of credit by sending the ACE transcript "Registry of Credit Recommendations" and appropriate course outline(s) to Kim McCoy.
ACE Registry and Transcript System
Mail:
Northern Kentucky University
Attn: Kim McCoy
Nunn Drive
University Center 122E
Highland Heights, KY 41099
E-mail:
mccoyk8@nku.edu
We award credit for the passage of certain professional licensure examinations in fields like Nursing, Respiratory Care, Business, Computing, and Radiology. Below you will find the current Industry Credentials accepted at NKU, by college. Please click the links to show the certifications accepted by NKU, the minimum score, the semester credit hours earned with that score, and the equivalent NKU courses.
Please click the below link to start the industry credential verifying process.
Students who have earned advanced credentials through experiential learning and completion of a "Health Care Industry Standard Examination" may be able to earn college credit, if they have not already earned this credit through transfer work. Please contact the Health Science Program Director if you have questions about eligibility.If you have an Industry Credential that you believe should be evaluated for credit that is not on the list above, please contact Kim McCoy at mccoyk8@nku.edu or (859) 572-5898.
The NKU portfolio program is course-specific. If you have prior learning that is equivalent to the learning outcomes for a specific undergraduate course, you may apply for credit for that course by developing a portfolio. A portfolio is a set of written documents (and in some cases, oral supplements) that demonstrate experiential learning equivalent to the learning objectives of a specific course. For each portfolio attempted, the student will work with a faculty evaluator who will determine whether the portfolio and the student’s experience meet the learning objectives of a specific course. Credit is granted upon recommendation of the faculty evaluator with approval from the appropriate department chair and dean.
To determine a student's candidacy for Portfolio, a writing sample will need to be collected, as well as a current resume. The writing sample should be a 2-page document that details how the student believes they have the experience that has led to learning in this area and can produce documents and research to prove that they have met the learning outcomes for the course. Students will need to fill out the Portfolio Application and will be asked to upload their resume and writing sample. After receipt of these items, students will be contacted within 7-10 business days as to the status of their application.
NKU accepts an array of credit-by-examinations. From Advanced Placement to College Level Examination Program (CLEP), we have over 60 course equivalencies in areas like Informatics, Construction Management, Business, Foreign Language, History, English, and Natural Sciences.
Click on the below links to get more information on the Credit-By-Exams accepted at NKU.
