Commonwealth University offers students credit for learning experiences completed prior to enrollment

Commonwealth University (CU) is offering qualifying students a unique advantage to get a jump on earning credits toward a degree before even taking a class at CU with the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program through the office of Workforce Development. CPL processes allow CU to meet learners where they are at on the education and career path.

Through partnerships made with several area career and training centers, CU is offering students credit for prior learning if they choose to enroll in a program at any CU campus (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield or Clearfield) that is related to the courses or training that they have already taken.

"Credit for Prior Learning offers students the opportunity to turn their real-world experiences, professional development and previous education and training into valuable academic credit," said Maryjo Campana, Credit for Prior Learning director. "It not only accelerates their path to a degree but also recognizes the skills and knowledge they have already acquired, making a college degree more accessible, affordable, and relevant to their personal and career goals."

One of CU's partners, Keystone Central Career and Technology Center, has had at least 10 students who have completed one of several pathways to CU's early childhood education, criminal justice, health science or general education programs.

A Muncy High School student enrolled in the health careers program at the Lycoming County Career and Technology Center also registered in a workforce development 90-hour non-credit phlebotomy training over the summer. Upon successful completion of the training, students will be able to secure employment as a phlebotomist. If the student chooses to further their education in a health science program at a Commonwealth University campus, they will also be eligible to earn two credits toward their CU degree with the option to earn an additional credit if the student completes an externship.

CU's Criminal Justice Pathway Program allows students to include Mansfield's Act 120 Municipal Police Academy as part of the two-year or four-year degree program. Through the pathway program, students will earn an associate or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with 20 credits to be applied toward their bachelor's degree and also be certified as a municipal police officer upon graduation.

In addition, CU is a military friendly institution recognizing students who have served in the military and who will receive course credit toward their degree at CU for their military training and experience.

Tim Reichart, of Orangeville, is a technical leadership major at CU-Bloomsburg and also is a U.S. Navy veteran. He signed up for early entry his senior year of high school - the day before 9/11. He left for boot camp directly following high school graduation in 2002 and entered the Navy's Nuclear Power Program. Following boot camp,

 he was on submarines NR-1 (a one-of-a-kind deep submersible research vessel) and then fast-attack submarine USS Toledo SSN 769. Reichart reached the rank of Machinist Mate second Class Petty Officer, Submarine Warfare and was deployed in the northern Atlantic and ported in Norway and Scotland and up and down the east coast. On the submarine, he supervised and trained nuclear mechanics in the operation and maintenance of power plant systems and support components.

For the last 15 years, Reichart has been employed full-time by PPL/Talen Energy performing daily supervision several union maintenance workers at a commercial nuclear power plant.

"While navigating the Commonwealth University website, I came across a link for Military and Veteran Resources," Reichart said. "This is where I learned of the MAC-RB (Military Academic Credit Review Board). From here, I started the process. The MAC-RB gave me a huge jumpstart toward a degree. The process to transfer my military credits has been easy and the staff have been exceptionally helpful."

At the beginning of the new year, and reflecting on the fact that he would be turning 40 this year, Reichart asked himself what his goals were for the year. Even before joining the Navy, he heard that military credits could transfer to college credits, but never took the initiative to do it.

"This is the year I decided I was going to do something about it," he said. "It's never too late to set new goals for yourself, and CommonwealthU has made it easier than I imagined."

"The MAC-RB also considers work-life experience too, not just military service," he added. "So, all training I received at my current employer I also submitted a transcript for and have been granted credits for as well."

So far, Reichart has received credits for general chemistry, public speaking, leadership and team building, first aid and safety and health sciences and CU Workforce Development staff and the MAC-RB continue to assist him with transferring even more credits.

For more information about Credit for Prior Learning at Commonwealth University, visit www.commonwealthu.edu/academics/workforce-development/credit-for-prior-learning.