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Earn Credit For More Than Just Classes

Reduce time and cost to degree by showing what you already know and can do

UMF awards academic credit to enrolled students for demonstrated learning from work and life experiences through its Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program. Students have earned credit for a broad range of learning experiences:

from working in schools to working in restaurants,
from caring for a special needs child to caring for a relative at end-of-life,
from being a photographer to playing in a band,
from helping to run a family business to leading a scout troop,
from maintaining trails to lobbying legislators,
from being multilingual to being certified as a CNA,
& much more

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You Can Gain Credit for Prior Learning in Three Ways:

Credit by Exam

UMF accepts college credit for successful completion of the following exams:

Advanced Placement (AP)
College Level Exam Program (CLEP) Exam
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Tests (DANTES DSST) Exam: All DSST exams with a score of 400 or higher are awarded credit at UMF.
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Exams
American Sign Language Proficiency Exam (ASLPI)
Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement Exams (BYU FLATS)
Seal of Bilingualism/Biliteracy

Credit by examination is not currently a CPL option for graduate students.

Official reports of test scores should be sent from the organization offering the test directly to umf.registrar@maine.edu

Language Exams

UMF offers multiple options for students to demonstrate their knowledge of and skills in languages other than English for credit. In addition to Advanced Placement, CLEP, and IB exams, the Seal of Bilingualism/Biliteracy, and Multilingual at Work portfolio submissions, students can demonstrate their language skills via any of the following exams: ACTFL, ASLPI, and BYU FLATS language exams. Students cannot duplicate language credits by demonstrating the same language skills with more than one of these options.

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Tests

UMF accepts ACTFL reading, writing, listening and oral proficiency tests as evaluated and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

An official ACE transcript must be submitted for courses to be considered for transfer credit.
Credit will be awarded at the ACE recommended level (1xx or 3xx).
Credit will be designated as general elective credit for subjects with no comparable discipline at UMF, program elective credit, or for a specific course if the ACE recommendation aligns with an existing course.

For details on requesting ACE transcripts, click here. You can also find the ACE National Guide here.

American Sign Language Proficiency Exam (ALSPI)

For information on ASLPI exams, see What is ASLPI? ASLPI exam scores of 3 or higher receive ASL 2XX 8 credits. Official score reports should be requested by and emailed directly from ASLPI@Gaulladet.edu to umf.registrar@maine.edu

Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement Exams (BYU FLATS)

For information on BYU FLATS exams, see FLATS for non-BYU students

American Council on Education (ACE) recognized learning

Courses from non-accredited training organizations may be granted transfer credit if they are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE). The courses must carry a credit recommendation from ACE and be categorized as lower division, upper division, or graduate level. Credit will not be granted for courses at the vocational level.

An official ACE transcript must be submitted for courses to be considered for transfer credit.
Credit will be awarded at the ACE recommended level (1xx or 3xx).
Credit will be designated as general elective credit for subjects with no comparable discipline at UMF, program elective credit, or for a specific course if the ACE recommendation aligns with an existing course.

For details on requesting ACE transcripts, click here. Have your transcript sent directly from ACE to umf.registrar@maine.edu You can also find the ACE National Guide here.

Making Your Experience Work for You

Credit for Prior Learning is helpful because it recognizes and applies the knowledge and skills you’ve already gained and applies them toward your degree. By earning credit for professional experience, volunteer work, military service, or other meaningful learning outside the classroom, you can save both time and money while reducing the number of courses you need to complete. This support makes finishing your degree more manageable, practical, and tailored to the experiences you bring with you.

You can gain credit for prior learning in three ways:

The following credentials have been reviewed and approved for academic credit at UMF. If you’ve completed one or more of these programs, you may be eligible to receive elective or subject-specific credit toward your degree.

Credit by Exam

UMF accepts college credit for successful completion of the following exams:

Advanced Placement (AP)
College Level Exam Program (CLEP) Exam
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Tests (DANTES DSST) Exam: All DSST exams with a score of 400 or higher are awarded credit at UMF.
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Exams
American Sign Language Proficiency Exam (ASLPI)
Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement Exams (BYU FLATS)
Seal of Bilingualism/Biliteracy

Credit by examination is not currently a CPL option for graduate students.

Official reports of test scores should be sent from the organization offering the test directly to umf.registrar@maine.edu

Language Exams

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Tests

UMF accepts ACTFL reading, writing, listening and oral proficiency tests as evaluated and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

An official ACE transcript must be submitted for courses to be considered for transfer credit.
Credit will be awarded at the ACE recommended level (1xx or 3xx).
Credit will be designated as general elective credit for subjects with no comparable discipline at UMF, program elective credit, or for a specific course if the ACE recommendation aligns with an existing course.

For details on requesting ACE transcripts, click here. You can also find the ACE National Guide here.

American Sign Language Proficiency Exam (ALSPI)

Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement Exams (BYU FLATS)

For information on BYU FLATS exams, see FLATS for non-BYU students

Credit for Professional Certifications, Licenses, Training, & Other learning

Approved certifications, licenses, training, and professional development

Credential	Subject	Course	Credit hours
Basic Life Support & First Aid (American Red Cross or American Heart Association	Health	1XX	.5
Basic Life Support & First Aid Renewal (American Red Cross or American Heart Association	Health	1XX	.5
Behavioral Health Professional (BHP), Maine DHHS	Rehabilitation & Human Services	1XX	3
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Assistant to Nurse’s Certification	Health	1XX	3
Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA), Maine DHHS	Rehabilitation & Human Services	1XX	1
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: Infant Toddler	Early Childhood Education (Birth-5)	196 & 296	6
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: Infant Toddler	Early Childhood Education (PreK-3rd)	196 & 2XX	6
Community Health Worker Core Competency Training from MCD Global Health (40-hour program)	Health	1XX	3
Community Health Worker Core Competency Training from MCD Global Health (80-hour program)	Health	2XX & 296	6
Direct Support Professional (DSP) or Maine College of Direct Support (MCDS), Maine DHHS	Rehabilitation & Human Services	1XX	1
Early Childhood Education and Care-Advanced (CECA)	Education	1XX	3
Educators Rising Micro-credentials (all 5 completed)	Education	1XX	3
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B)	Elective	1XX	6
Emergency Medical Technician – Advanced (AEMT) (no additional credit for EMT-B)	Elective	2XX	12
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 65 Exam	Business	345	3
Firefighter I (State Certification)	Elective	1XX	3
Firefighter II (State Certification)	Elective	1XX	3
Language Line Interpreter Skills Certification	Humanities	3XX	4
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Level I	Math	120	3
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Level I	Math	100	3
Maine Bureau of Insurance: Producer Resident (Life & Health)	Business	1XX or 177	3
Maine Bureau of Insurance: Producer Resident (Property & Casualty)	Business	1XX or 177	3
Maine Master Gardener Volunteer	Environmental Science	277	4
Maine Media Workshops and College (1 week intensive)	Humanities	2XX	3
Maine Roads To Quality Infant Toddler Credential	Early Childhood Education	1XX & 250	6
Maine Roads to Quality Youth Development, Director, Inclusion, Family Child Care, or Technical Assistance Credential	Elective	1XX	6
Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS), Maine DHHS	Rehabilitation & Human Services	1XX	1
Midcoast Permaculture Design (120 hours)	Environmental Science	377	4
New Ventures Maine: Venturing Forth – Business Planning for Entrepreneurs	Business	262	3
Olympia Snowe Leadership Program	Elective	2XX	3
OSHA 30-Hour Training	Elective	1XX	1
OSHA HAZWOPER Training	Elective	1XX	1
Personal Support Specialist (PSS), Maine DHHS	Rehabilitation & Human Services	1XX	1
Project Management Professional (PMP)	Business	377	3
ServSafe Food Protection Manager	Elective	1XX	1
Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification	Business	310	3
State of Maine Sales Agent/Associate Broker/Designated Broker	Elective	1XX	3
Wilderness First Aid (15-20 hours)	Elective	1XX	1.5
Wilderness First Responder (36-70 hours)	Health	120	3
Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200 hours)	Elective	1XX	3

Other certifications, licenses, training, and professional development

UMF will review for credit certifications, licenses, training, and other professional development which have clearly documented the following:

Learning outcomes
Methods of assessment
Role of subject-matter experts

Approval of credit(s) award(ed) for certification, licensure, training, and other professional development programs are typically valid for five years, at which time another review of the program is required.

Students can find approved certifications, licenses, training, and other professional development programs posted on UMF’s website with information on how to submit documentation of these credentials or training for credit.

Students whose workplace or professional learning does not meet these requirements are advised to use the portfolio review process to document their learning.

Credit by Portfolio Review

American Council on Education (ACE) recognized learning

An official ACE transcript must be submitted for courses to be considered for transfer credit.
Credit will be awarded at the ACE recommended level (1xx or 3xx).
Credit will be designated as general elective credit for subjects with no comparable discipline at UMF, program elective credit, or for a specific course if the ACE recommendation aligns with an existing course.

For details on requesting ACE transcripts, click here. Have your transcript sent directly from ACE to umf.registrar@maine.edu You can also find the ACE National Guide here.

Portfolio Review allows students to demonstrate and earn credit for college-level learning from professional experiences, community work, or personal pursuits. Portfolios usually include documentation of and reflection upon student learning experiences. We work one-on-one with students to assess their opportunities for earning portfolio credit. We also provide the following templates to guide submissions for demonstrating learning from

To learn more about credit by portfolio review, email umfcpl@maine.edu

Credits earned via Portfolio Review count toward the 30 credits from UMF required for graduation from UMF.

The fee for Portfolio Assessment is $50 per credit hour.

Going back to school comes with many benefits!

Benefits of going back to school include:

Finishing your degree and reaching a long-term goal
Expanding career opportunities and increasing earning potential
Learning new skills to stay competitive in today’s job market
Building confidence through personal growth and achievement
Setting a powerful example for family and community

At UMF, we make returning to school manageable with flexible programs and personalized support, helping you balance education with work, family, and life.

Ready to Learn More?

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