What is Credit for Prior Learning?
Credit for Prior Learning awards FREE college credit for training and learning gained outside a college classroom. Earn credits for your law enforcement training. You’re already doing the work – you might as well get the credit!
How does CPL work?
POST-Certified Basic Police Academy training has been evaluated by discipline experts to correlate to college coursework in Administration of Justice topics. Industry Certification is reviewed through your POST Profile (official POST training record) and college credits are awarded for your completed law enforcement training. These units apply toward an Administration of Justice associate degree and are also transferable to many universities.
Through receiving CPL credits toward a degree, you satisfy most, if not all, core course requirements for an Administration of Justice degree. This eliminates up to 30 units of college coursework needed to earn your degree. Once you complete your general education requirements, you will be eligible to apply for the associate degree.
Why is this important? Peace Officers earn their Intermediate and Advanced POST Certificates at a faster rate with college units and degrees, most agencies offer education incentive raises for college degrees, and oftentimes degrees help with promotions.
How to get started
- If you have never been a student at Palomar College, apply to become a student
- Check out the CPL course list (search under Palomar Pathway – Health & Public Services for Administration of Justice courses)
- Apply for CPL using your POST Profile (click here to find out how to access your POST Profile on the POST website)
- Set up an appointment with a CPL Counselor to create an education plan
- Contact a Discipline Expert at policecademy@palomar.edu or the CPL Coordinator at cpl@palomar.edu with any questions
Want more information? Visit the Palomar College Credit for Prior Learning website
