NSHE launches Take the Credit campaign to promote prior learning program
- Approximately 320,000 Nevada adults hold some college credit but lack a completed degree or certificate, according to National Student Clearinghouse data cited by the Nevada System of Higher...
- The Board of Regents passed handbook revisions in September 2025 to expand the CPL program across all seven public colleges and universities within the system.
- While several institutions such as the College of Southern Nevada already utilized prior learning initiatives, policies previously varied and credits often failed to transfer between system institutions.
Approximately 320,000 Nevada adults hold some college credit but lack a completed degree or certificate, according to National Student Clearinghouse data cited by the Nevada System of Higher Education. To address this gap, NSHE launched the “Take the Credit” campaign to promote its Credit for Prior Learning program, which allows students to earn academic credit for skills acquired through work, service, and training outside the classroom.
Expanding Credit for Prior Learning Across Nevada Institutions
The Board of Regents passed handbook revisions in September 2025 to expand the CPL program across all seven public colleges and universities within the system. This expansion aligns directly with the board’s 2025–2031 strategic plan approved in January 2025. Stephanie Goodman, chair of the Board of Regents, stated that recognizing prior learning makes the path to a credential more practical for adult learners.
Many Nevadans have built valuable knowledge and skills through years of work, service and training,
Goodman said in a statement. Recognizing college-level learning they already have can make the path to a degree or certificate more practical. It means their experience can become part of the progress they make toward a degree or certificate.
Institutional Implementation and Transferability Standards
While several institutions such as the College of Southern Nevada already utilized prior learning initiatives, policies previously varied and credits often failed to transfer between system institutions. Under the updated policy, students can earn academic credit through professional licensure, standardized exams, and faculty-reviewed portfolios. These credits can now transfer across all seven NSHE institutions just like traditional course credits. At the College of Southern Nevada, students entering the institution can apply for nontraditional education credits for work or life experience, including military training, apprenticeship instruction, job experience, and certificate training. These policies permit up to 16 nontraditional education credits toward an associate of general studies or associate of applied science degree, and up to eight credits toward a certificate of achievement. Credits require formal evaluation through interviews, documentation review, or occupational competency exams before approval.
Workforce Impact and Economic Goals
NSHE designed the strategic plan to combat declining adult student enrollment while accelerating workforce entry. Natalie Brown, assistant vice chancellor for workforce development and community colleges, noted that returning students frequently earn 12 to 15 additional credits through the program.
What we’ve heard on the ground as this has already been rolling out on the campuses is we have students that are earning, let’s say, 12 to 15 more credits,
Brown said. That translates into a semester or more of work that they have already earned, so they don’t have to take the extra time and resources to move through training and certificates. It really saves them time, energy, money and gets them into our Nevada workforce faster.
The official launch of the “Take the Credit” campaign took place on Thursday during the third systemwide CPL convening at the College of Southern Nevada. Representatives from across the state gathered at the event to review institutional programs and establish consistent application standards aimed at reducing both the financial cost and time required for adult students to finish their credentials.