CPL Student Resources

CPL can help you save time and money on your educational path. Students can now get credit for a course instead of just waiving a prerequisite.

Students who hold industry credentials and certifications are graduates of service academies were trained for military occupations, or have work experience that can be demonstrated through an exam or portfolio review may qualify for credit for prior learning.

Each CPL eligible course will have different methods of assessment. These methods include:

• Military Transcript
• Credit by Exam
• Portfolio Review
• Industry Certification/Accreditation or License
• AP, IB and CLEP exam scores (refer to the Palomar Articulation webpage for more information)

If you have prior learning experience that you feel would qualify for CPL, but you don’t see the discipline or course in our list, please email cpl@smc.edu

We are still building our CPL database and will reach out to our faculty on your behalf to see if CPL is a good fit!

Contact the CPL Faculty Lead at cpl@smc.edu 

They can set up a time to meet and discuss CPL opportunities.

• Submit an interest form.
• Contact the CPL Faculty Lead at cpl@smc.edu with any questions
• Set up an appointment with a CPL Counselor (the CPL Faculty Lead will reach out to you to schedule an appointment)

Veteran Students: Please meet with one of our Veteran's  counselors: 

• Sandoval_Christina@smc.edu
• Gonzalez_Krysten@smc.edu

Please review the CPL petition process work flow process and reach out to the CPL Faculty Lead with any questions about the CPL petition process at cpl@smc.edu

If you are transfer bound, meet with a CPL counselor to discuss transferability of CPL courses. Some colleges may not accept all methods of CPL Assessment. 

Veteran Students: Please meet with one of our Veteran's  counselors: 

• Sandoval_Christina@smc.edu
• Gonzalez_Krysten@smc.edu

No. You just need to be registered at SMC in order to apply for Credit for Prior Learning.

The “registered” student, as defined for CPL, is a student that has been admitted to SMC, has a SMC student ID number and is eligible to enroll.

Go to the Apply for Credit for Prior Learning link in the site menu and following the instructions.

Contact the CPL Faculty Lead at cpl@smc.edu if you want to withdraw your CPL petition. And if you are petitioning for credit by exam or portfolio review, also contact your Professor. The CPL Faculty Lead will cancel the petition for you. You will not receive a W on your transcript, and you are free to petition at a later time, or enroll in the course.