Professional Development & Training

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is of increasing interest to institutions seeking ways to attract and retain the growing audience of adult learners. This workshop provides faculty with an overview of all forms of institutional-based prior learning assessment and discusses approaches to awarding college credit for learning that occurs from previous life/work experiences — in lieu of taking certain courses. Emphasis will be placed on the four primary types of institutional-based 'challenge' assessments; including written exams, written portfolios, skills demonstrations, and oral interviews, as well as discussion on how to build combination-style assessments. Participants will compare the four types of institutional assessments and recognize the value and challenges of each. This is an interactive workshop that will provide participants with the opportunity to review and analyze sample portfolios, assessment rubrics, and writing exam questions. Participants will leave the workshop with the rationale and tools to assist their institutions in customizing an approach to CPL that meets the needs of their students.

As a result of this course, participants will be able to:

•  Articulate the guidelines for designing each of the 4 types of Institutional-based assessments 
•  Compare the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of the four types of institutional-based assessments.
•  Review and analyze CPL Portfolios, Written Exams, Oral interviews, and Skills Demonstrations
•  Understand CPL Principles of good practice in action
•  Understand and articulate the differences between assessing portfolios and classroom assignments
•  Recognize multiple pathways to achieving course learning outcomes

Member Rate: 8-12k

Non-member Rate: 10-14k

Workshop Length: 8 hours

This workshop is designed to cover all the questions you have about credit for prior learning but were afraid to ask! Designed as an introduction to credit for prior learning, the workshop will begin by laying a foundation by exploring the different opportunities students have to demonstrate their knowledge and learning, and the impact CPL has on organizational practices and student success. This will be followed with an interactive discussion about best practices in implementing an effective CPL program within your institution. Participants will engage in case studies that examine principles of organizational change and how a CPL program becomes integral to student learning and success. Using sample documents, scenarios, and institutional examples, participants will work collaboratively to create an action plan and design processes for introducing or expanding CPL options to gain support from key campus constituencies. As a result, participants will be able to build an action plan for executing a credit for prior learning program on their own campuses.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Describe the various forms of CPL and utilize the steps, tools and procedures in the CPL process; 
• Illustrate and apply the CAEL principles of best practice in CPL; 
• Articulate the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the CPL process; 
• Determine decision points for effective CPL implementation; 
• Identify strategies for gaining buy-in from faculty, administrators, & students; 
• Distinguish options for CPL-related organizational structures and action plans. 

Member Rate: 8-12k

Non-member Rate: 10-14k

Workshop Length: 8 hours

Process mapping is the creation of a graphical representation of an organization's process in a way that clearly illustrates what actions and decisions need to take place, the sequence in which they need to happen, and who specifically is responsible for each step. In addition, the map allows an organization to identify disconnects (problems) in their processes to develop ways to improve their processes. 

Process mapping engages stakeholders in a collaborative process to identify areas for process improvement that lead to greater efficiency, improved communication, and detailed documentation.  Process mapping helps you identify areas of friction, opportunity, and customer delight in your existing CPL processes. The purpose of mapping processes is so that you can amplify what’s working in your communications and mitigate what’s not working to improve the adult learner experience. Adults are savvy consumers with high expectations about the processes, systems, and technologies that are part of their learning journey. Participants will leave the workshop with a tool they can use to create process improvements and align stakeholders to create an action plan to resolve disconnects.

Benefits to Users: Engage in collaborative processes to identify areas for process improvements that lead to greater efficiency, improved communication, and process documentation.   

Outcomes:

1. Visual representation of the process.  Useful for communicating and training others on the process.  Can be converted into constituent-specific formats for reuse.
2. Forces collaborative and cross-departmental discussions (thinking about processes they have not thought about together before)
3. Identification of problems they had not recognized before.
4. Action plan for how, when, and by whom these problems will be addressed.

Member Rate: 8-12k

Non-member Rate: 10-14k

Workshop Length: 8 hours

There isn’t a  “magic bullet” for outreach and marketing that guarantees you will enroll adult learners. Adults are a large and diverse population and their reasons for pursuing education - and issues that may be standing in their way - are broad and complex. How do campuses find a population of prospective students who are disconnected from educational systems? What strategies are providing effective to reach adults? Does marketing always need to be costly to work well? This interactive session is designed to arm participants with an outreach action plan based on their target market and resources. In this session we will:

• Review survey data on adult learners' intent and preferences
• Discuss adult learner personas and how to tailor messaging
• Use storytelling to connect to adult learners
• Align communication with key barriers faced by adults
• Consider an adult learner “funnel” and the student’s journey
• Share partnership examples on how to connect to trusted organizations serving adults
• Examine an equity-minded approach with adult learner voices at the center
• Develop your own “tool kit” the notes potential audiences, messaging, partners, and communication channels

Member Rate: 8-12k

Non-member Rate: 10-14k

Workshop Length: 6-8 hours

The workshop will show participants the process of mapping learning outcomes from industry credentials to institutional courses. The first part of the workshop will describe the process and work through examples.  The second part will involve participants working with templates and processes to complete new crosswalk mappings (from real examples they bring with them) with new certifications and/or industry training options.

Member Rate: 9k

Non-member Rate: 11k

Workshop Length 8 hours

This introductory workshop provides critical information on military credit for prior learning (M-CPL.) It is intended to deliver an overview of the importance of M-CPL to higher education institutions to help them attract and support learners who have a military background. The presentation will outline the essential resources that registrars, administration staff, and faculty will use to assess M-CPL. High-level information on military transcripts (JST/CCAF), the ACE Military Guide and ACE military credit recommendations will be covered in the 45-minute workshop so that leadership, military champions, and/or the M-CPL task force can properly plan for future M-CPL engagement on campus. This introduction is a prequel to more advanced workshops on assessing M-CPL, workshops that CAEL delivers for registrar staff as well as faculty and Veteran service staff.

As a result of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the benefits of CPL for military-connected learners and institutions.
• Identify the high-level strategies to assess and award military credit efficiently.
• Understand the importance of developing policies and processes to improve M-CPL implementation.
• Engage faculty and administrators in supporting CPL efforts.

Member Rate: 2-5k

Non-member Rate: 3-6k

Workshop Length: 1 hour

Military Credit for Prior Learning (M-CPL) is a critical tool for institutions looking to support military-connected learners, helping them translate military training and experience into academic credit. By awarding M-CPL effectively, institutions can increase enrollment, persistence, and completion rates while reducing time and costs for student veterans.

This one-hour presentation is designed for institutional leadership and decision-makers to understand the strategic value of M-CPL. It will explore how CPL enhances institutional outcomes, aligns with workforce demands, and supports military learners in achieving career success. This course positions senior leaders to implement an M-CPL initiative at their institution.

Key Topics Covered:

Presentation Outcomes:

• Understand the value of M-CPL in increasing student enrollment and success.
• Identify key strategies for implementing and scaling CPL within their institutions.
• Engage faculty, staff, and leadership in supporting M-CPL initiatives.
• Leverage M-CPL to strengthen workforce partnerships and institutional reputation.

Member Rate: 2-5k

Non-member Rate: 3-6k

Workshop Length: 1 hour

Military Credit for Prior Learning (M-CPL) plays a critical role in supporting military-connected students by recognizing their training and experience as college-equivalent learning. A key aspect of this process is understanding the Department of Defense's credit recommendations, which provide institutions with guidance on evaluating military coursework and occupational experience for academic credit.

This four-hour workshop is designed to help faculty and staff involved in M-CPL gain a deeper understanding of the evaluation process, military transcript analysis, and best practices for awarding credit. Participants will leave with the tools and confidence to apply credit recommendations effectively, ensuring military learners receive appropriate academic credit.

Workshop Overview:

This interactive session will provide faculty with a detailed overview of the ACE review process, including how military training and workplace learning are assessed for credit equivalency. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, including reviewing Joint Services Transcripts (JSTs), applying military credit recommendations, and mapping military training to academic courses. In addition to transcript-based evaluation, the workshop will explore alternative methods for assessing prior learning, such as portfolios, standardized exams, skills demonstrations, and oral interviews. These approaches offer flexible options for recognizing the full range of military-connected students' knowledge and experience.

In addition to developing credit evaluation skills, the workshop will address the importance of military cultural competency in the classroom. Participants will confront common myths and assumptions about military-connected learners, and review data that highlights the academic strengths and persistence of this student population.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to evaluate military credit efficiently and confidently, ensuring military-connected students receive the academic recognition they deserve.

Member Rate: 5-9k

Non-member Rate: 7-11k

Workshop Length: 4 hours

This four-hour workshop is designed to help registrar, academic advisors, and CPL staff involved in M-CPL gain a deeper understanding of the evaluation process, military transcript analysis, and best practices for awarding credit. Participants will leave with the tools and confidence to apply credit recommendations effectively, ensuring military learners receive appropriate academic credit.

Workshop Overview:

This interactive session will provide registrar and CPL staff with a detailed overview of the ACE review process, including how military training and workplace learning are assessed for credit equivalency. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, including reviewing Joint Services Transcripts (JSTs), applying military credit recommendations, and mapping military training to academic courses.

In addition to developing credit evaluation skills, the workshop will address the importance of military cultural competency in higher education. Participants will explore the value veterans bring to the campus, confront common myths and assumptions about military-connected learners, and review data that highlights the academic strengths and persistence of this student population.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to evaluate military credit efficiently and confidently, while also fostering a more inclusive, veteran-affirming campus environment.

Member Rate: 5-9k

Non-member Rate: 7-11k

Workshop Length: 4 hours