Frequently Asked Questions
The Creativity and Change Leadership Department will consider Prior Learning Credit (PLC) for all of its graduate programs in Creativity and Change Leadership.
Credit for Prior Learning (CLP) is a set of well-established, researched, and validated methods for assessing non-collegiate learning for college credit. (cael.org).
See the description of Course Challenge in the "Alternative Methods of Earning Credit" page.
A student may not receive more than 6 graduate credits through course challenge. This is a Buffalo State policy.
Most courses can be challenged with the exception of our culminating experiences, i.e., comprehensive examination, CRS 690, CRS 795, and CRS 899.
Once you are matriculated at Buffalo State.
We use the portfolio assessment method (i.e., narrative demonstrating how the student met the Student Learning Outcomes, with documented evidence supporting the narrative), supplemented by oral interview. As part of this process, generally to initiate a review of prior learning, the student completes the Experiential Learning/Course Challenge Approval Form.
SUNY Buffalo State has recently (Fall 2025) agreed upon a fee per credit hour, which is a standard practice at SUNY campuses. At the time of writing the fee per course evaluation, whether successful or not, is $170 (subject to change).
The Credit for Prior Learning for courses in Creativity and Change Leadership is:
- Matriculate to Buffalo State University in the Creativity and Change Leadership program.
- Read the Creativity and Change Leadership course descriptions.
- Contact department chair to express interest in earning Credit for Prior Learning, set meeting with chair to discuss the viability of challenging particular courses (i.e., review SLOs associated with targeted courses). Student prepares the Experiential Learning/Course Challenge Approval Form.
- After consultation with the department chair, prepare a digital portfolio for course(s) being challenged (form provided by department chair).
- Schedule a meeting with department chair to present portfolio.
- Once the review process is completed approved, the department chair will submit the Experiential Learning/Course Challenge Approval form to the university. If the request is not approved, the student may seek a second opinion through their academic advisor. At which point a meeting is scheduled so that the student can present their portfolio to both the department chair and advisor. The chair and advisor will then confer and render an updated decision.