LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Nevada System of Higher Education is expanding opportunities for students to earn college credit for learning that happens outside the classroom.
The new policy replaces older rules that only allowed credit for passing exams. It introduces national standards and consistent systemwide guidelines to evaluate prior learning fairly and transparently across all of Nevada’s public colleges and universities.
“We’re really expanding that out and removing some unnecessary limitations that we had in place for acceptance of those credits,” said Dr. Natalie Brown, assistant vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges with the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Under the revised policy, students can receive credit for licensure, certifications, or documented workplace learning that matches course material. Portfolio assessments and credit recommendation services, such as the American Council on Education (ACE), can be used as evaluation tools.
“We are trying to connect our credit for prior learning and value the education and training that individuals bring to the table so that they don’t have to start over, so that they don’t have to retake different types of training and skills that they’ve already accomplished,” she said.
Previously earned CPL credits will transfer across NSHE institutions like any other course credit. Credits awarded for AP, CLEP, and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams will now be aligned systemwide.
Nevada has around 320,000 adults who have some higher college credit but have not earned a degree.
“We’re looking at getting individuals into entry-level jobs in advanced manufacturing, but also scaling up and skilling up into higher-level programs and credentialing,” she added.
Mariana Rivera is part of one of the programs being offered at the new West Side Education Training Center in the Historic West Side of Las Vegas. The center is part of College of Southern Nevada’s campus.
“I am interested in going into surgical assisting. So dialysis really is just like a step into my career in the medical field,” Rivera said.
The ultimate goal is to invest in Nevada’s workforce.
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