Prior Credit Learning Options
Pre-Assessed Credits
You've already earned it. Let's make sure it counts.
See how your professional training and credentials could translate into college credit. This list includes licenses, certificates, certifications and exams that Whitworth has already reviewed for credit.
We'll review your experience and help you identify every credit you may be able to apply.
Business & Leadership
| Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | 3 |
| Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) | 3 |
| Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | 3 |
| IASSC | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt | 3 |
| Certified Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt | 6 |
| Leadership Spokane | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Professional Development Program | 3 |
| Project Management Institute (PMI) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | 3 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | 3 |
| PMI Agile Certified Provider (PMI - ACP) | 3 |
| Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification | 3 |
| SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) Certification | 3 |
Criminal Justice
| Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Basic Law Enforcement Academy | 20 |
Education & Teaching
| American Montessori Society (AMS) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Infant & Toddler Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Early Childhood Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Elementary I-II Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Secondary I-II Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Association Montessori International (AMI) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Assistants to Infancy Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Primary Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Elementary Montessori Diploma | 22 |
| Sophia Learning | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Precalculus | 3 |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Public Speaking | 3 |
| Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Course of Study | 1 |
| Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Paraeducator Certificate Program | 2 |
| Whitworth University | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Software Development Certificate | 3 |
Financial Industry
| Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Series 6 License | 1 |
| Series 7 License | 6 |
| Series 63 License | 1 |
| Series 65 License | 1 |
| Series 66 License | 2 |
| Washington Department of Financial Institutions | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Designated Mortgage Broker License: Washington | 1 |
| Escrow Officer License: Washington | 1 |
| Mortgage Loan Originators License: Washington | 1 |
Healthcare
| American Association of Medical Assistants, Inc. | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) | 22 |
| American Red Cross or American Heart Association | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| First Aid, CPR & AED | 1 |
| National Association of Sports Medicine | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Personal Trainer | 4 |
| Summit Professional Education | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy Assistant Continuing Education | 30 CEUs = 1 credit |
| Occupational Therapy Continuing Education | 30 CEUs = 1 credit |
| Washington Department of Health | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 3 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | 4 |
| Washington State Health Care Authority | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) | 1 |
Real Estate
| State Real Estate Licenses | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Broker License | 6 |
| Real Estate Agent/Sales License | 3 |
State Licenses
| State Insurance Licenses | Credit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| WA Adjuster | 1 |
| WA Credit | 1 |
| WA Crop Adjuster | 1 |
| WA Personal Lines Producer | 1 |
| WA Life & Disability Producer Combo | 2 |
| WA Property Producer | 1 |
| WA Life Producer | 1 |
| WA Disability Producer | 1 |
| WA Casualty Producer | 1 |
| WA Property & Casualty Producer Combo | 2 |
| WA Surety | 1 |
| WA Surplus Lines Broker | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit recommendations listed are a recommendation, not a guarantee.
If your course/training/license is not listed, it may still be eligible for credit. You may submit it for evaluation using to determine if it is eligible for credit. Additional fees apply. Contact your advisor for more information.
- All pre-approved prior learning are lower-division elective credits and do not take the place of major course requirements.
- Credit awarded based on the recommendations in this guide will appear on the student's transcript using the course code XX-200.
Students may earn up to 22 semester credits through prior learning (DSST/CLEP tests, ACE credits, prior learning portfolio and military transcripts).
No additional fees will be collected for pre-approved prior learning on this list.
The Details
- Appropriate documentation must be submitted to be eligible to receive the credits recommended. Documentation must include official proof of completion and show expiration date, if applicable.
- Credentials with an expiration date must be currently active. Credentials with no expiration date may be eligible for credit if you are still working a related field or if the credential was earned within the last 10 years.
- If you have completed a course/exam/certification/license that is very similar to one on this list or one that was completed with a different organization than listed, contact your advisor for more information.
- PLA will not award credit for certifications or coursework that duplicates the content of credits earned through PLA, transfer credit or Whitworth University coursework.
More Ways to Earn Credit
Whitworth has a test center for administering College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST) exams, which provide an avenue for you to complete your degree sooner and avoid repeating material you've already learned. For around $100 per exam, CLEP and DSST allow you to earn college credits by passing individual subject exams. To find a complete list of subject exams offered, visit one of these sites:
For more information or to schedule a CLEP or DSST exam at Whitworth, please call us at 509.777.3222.
Many certifications, exams, or courses (i.e. T-Mobile Associate Expert training, Google certifications, Microsoft exams, insurance courses) have been assessed for academic credit through the American Council of Education (ACE). You can search the ACE National Guide for extra-institutional experiences you have completed and order official transcripts to be assessed for transfer credit.
In addition to tests for credit and ACE-evaluated credits, you may earn up to 22 semester credits toward your degree through a portfolio assessment of professional trainings, certificates, courses, or licenses. Credit is awarded based on the learning that resulted from the prior experience, not from the experience itself.
The evaluation process for granting credit for experience is called the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Credits earned will be counted as lower division electives and cannot replace shared curriculum courses or required courses in the major. These credits fall in the alternative credit category.
Whitworth Online has identified and pre-assessed many certificates and licenses for elective credit. Students must be enrolled in a Whitworth Online program to receive pre-assessed prior learning credits.