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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. 

You can gain credit for prior learning in three ways:

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

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

Approved certifications, licenses, training, and professional development

CredentialSubjectCourseCredit 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
Health1XX.5
Behavioral Health Professional (BHP), Maine DHHSRehabilitation & Human Services1XX3
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Assistant to Nurse’s CertificationHealth1XX3
Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA), Maine DHHSRehabilitation & Human Services1XX1
Child Development Associate (CDA) CredentialEarly Childhood Education1XX6
Community Health Worker Core Competency Training from MCD Global Health (40-hour program)Health1XX3
Community Health Worker Core Competency Training from MCD Global Health (80-hour program)Health2XX & 2966
Direct Support Professional (DSP) or Maine College of Direct Support (MCDS), Maine DHHSRehabilitation & Human Services1XX1
Early Childhood Education and Care-Advanced (CECA)Education1XX3
Educators Rising Micro-credentials (all 5 completed)Education1XX3
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 65 ExamBusiness3453
Firefighter I (State Certification)Elective1XX3
Firefighter II (State Certification)Elective1XX3
Language Line Interpreter Skills CertificationHumanities3XX4
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Level IMath1203
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Level IMath1003
Maine Bureau of Insurance: Producer Resident (Life & Health)Business1XX or 1773
Maine Bureau of Insurance: Producer Resident (Property & Casualty)Business1XX or 1773
Maine Master Gardener VolunteerEnvironmental Science2774
Maine Media Workshops and College (1 week intensive)Humanities2XX3
Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS), Maine DHHSRehabilitation & Human Services1XX1
Midcoast Permaculture Design (120 hours)Environmental Science3774
New Ventures Maine: Venturing Forth – Business Planning for EntrepreneursBusiness2623
Olympia Snowe Leadership ProgramElective2XX3
OSHA 30-Hour Training Elective1XX1
OSHA HAZWOPER TrainingElective1XX1
Personal Support Specialist (PSS), Maine DHHSRehabilitation & Human Services1XX1
Project Management Professional (PMP)Business3773
Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) CertificationBusiness3103
State of Maine Sales Agent/Associate Broker/Designated BrokerElective1XX3
Wilderness First Aid (15-20 hours)Elective1XX1.5
Wilderness First Responder (36-70 hours)Elective2XX3

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:

  1. Learning outcomes
  2. Methods of assessment
  3. 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.

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 as residential credit.

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

 

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Degree Completion
University of Maine at Farmington
Theo Kalikow Education Center
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Farmington, Maine 04938
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umf.finish@maine.edu

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Degree Completion Program
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University of Maine at Farmington
111 South Street
Farmington, Maine 04938

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