Education & Student Aid · Surprise rank #274
Already Know the Material? Turn Work, Training or Exams Into CUNY College Credit
CUNY can award Credit for Prior Learning for college-level knowledge gained outside a traditional CUNY class. Depending on the college and program, credit can come from standardized exams, evaluated training, military learning, challenge exams or portfolios.
Who
CUNY students or students matriculating at a CUNY institution whose prior learning matches college-level coursework and degree requirements.
Where: City University of New York colleges.
What to do
Start here: Ask your CUNY college's CPL contact or academic advisor which prior-learning methods apply to your experience and how the resulting credit would fit your degree map.
Eligibility: You must be matriculated or matriculating at CUNY to receive the credit. The learning must be assessed through an approved CPL method and must apply toward degree requirements.
What you get
CPL lets a matriculated student demonstrate college-level learning and receive applicable course, discipline-elective or general-elective credit toward a degree.
Benefit: College credits that may replace required coursework, potentially reducing tuition cost and time to degree.
Possible value: Value depends on how many credits a college accepts and whether they replace courses you otherwise would take. Some evaluation or exam methods can have fees.
Good to know
Important: CPL does not satisfy the college's residency requirement, and portfolio/challenge-exam availability and how credits apply vary by college and program.
Availability: Active across CUNY; assessment methods and program acceptance vary by college.
Why people miss it: Students often assume only classroom courses transfer, while CUNY recognizes several ways to prove college-level learning acquired elsewhere.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026