Your experience
was your head start.
SVU’s credit for recognized experience, service or training program evaluates your service and work experience then awards up to 12 academic credits for what you already know. Because of this, you can start ahead and finish stronger.
24Maximum combined CREST & FLATS credits towards your degree
12Maximum CREST credits toward your degree
8Knight Launch-ready Competencies you can demonstrate
1–3Credits awarded per competency demonstrated
How to get started.
The CREST process is straightforward. Your registrar’s office or your advisor will guide you through the process
01
Apply at svu.edu
Submit your application to begin the admissions process.
02
Request a CREST evaluation
Contact the Registrar’s Office to identify your track — Service or Work-Based.
03
Build your portfolio
Document your experience and competencies. Written, visual, and multimedia elements accepted.
04
Pay the review fee & submit
A $50 fee covers portfolio evaluation by a committee of faculty field specialists.
05
Enroll with credits
Map awarded credits to your degree plan and begin with a running start.
What counts
Credit for prior learning you’ve already lived.
Your years of service or professional work exposed you to real-world challenges most students won’t encounter until after graduation. Because of this, SVU’s CREST process formally evaluates that experience then awards academic credit accordingly — across two distinct tracks.
Start my application Request a CREST evaluationReligious, military & humanitarian serviceEligible
Primary parenting & caregiver serviceEligible
Business, industry & government workEligible
Non-profit & public sector experienceEligible
Minimum qualifying service or work period1 year full-time
Total possible CREST creditsUp to 12
Two CREST Tracks
Find the path that fits your experience.
SVU offers Credit for Prior Learning through two distinct tracks — Service Learning and Work-Based Learning. Both require a portfolio evaluated by a committee of faculty field specialists.
Credit for full-time service experience
Service Learning CREST is designed for students who have completed year-long, full-time service — including religious, military, humanitarian, primary parenting, or caregiver service. SVU awards credit as SER 275R, a 1–12 variable credit course, based on a portfolio demonstrating Knight Launch-ready Competencies.
Portfolios are evaluated by a committee of faculty field specialists chosen on the basis of the competencies attained. Each portfolio review carries a $50 fee.
Credit formula: 1 credit = 45 hours of qualifying service. Maximum 12 credits = 540 hours of service work.
Your portfolio must include
1A narrative description of your service — type of service, overseeing institution or organization, number of hours or years served, and location.
2Certification or other official evidence confirming the period of service.
3Evidence of Knight Launch-ready Competency acquisition — the largest and most important portion of the portfolio. Written, visual, or multimedia elements are accepted.
4For each competency demonstrated, you may earn 1–3 credits, up to a combined total of 12 credits.
Credit for professional work experience
Work-Based Learning CREST is open to students who have obtained college-level learning through employment in business, industry, government, non-profit, or other verifiable professional settings. SVU awards credit by specific course code, identified in the application and approved by a faculty evaluation committee.
As with Service Learning, portfolios are evaluated by field specialists and a review fee applies. The work must be verifiable and must demonstrate equivalence to SVU coursework competencies.
Credit formula: 1 credit = 45 hours of work per week across a 15-week semester. Maximum 12 credits = 540 hours of qualifying work.
Your portfolio must include
1A narrative describing the work — type of work, institution or organization, number of hours/years, and location.
2Certification or other verifiable evidence of work performed.
3Narrative or other evidence demonstrating how specific course competencies were achieved through your work-based learning.
The Knight Launch-ready Competencies.
For Service Learning CREST, SVU awards credit based on your demonstration of SVU’s Knight Launch-ready Competencies — adapted from National Association of Colleges and Employers standards and grounded in SVU’s faith-centered mission.
Self-Development1–3 credits
Proactively develop yourself through continual personal learning, centering on Christ as the ultimate model for growth. Reflect on strengths and weaknesses, and build healthy relationships that foster unity.
Communication1–3 credits
Identify and respond to the needs of others, demonstrating a wise awareness of the power of language in building up both self and community in a spirit of gratitude and grace.
Critical Thinking1–3 credits
Cultivate wisdom by analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information through a lens of truth — demonstrating discernment to identify bias and ensure intellectual integrity.
Understanding of Cultures1–3 credits
Treat every individual with dignity, respect, and love befitting a child of God. Engage in practices that actively relieve suffering and create unity across all backgrounds and traditions.
Leadership1–3 credits
Exemplify SVU’s mission by lifting those around you. Lead with wisdom and Christ-like love, inspiring gratitude and fostering unity as you guide others toward a shared, noble vision.
Professionalism1–3 credits
Develop effective work and study habits with gratitude for the opportunity to serve and learn. Act with wisdom in the interest of the larger community with integrity and unity.
Teamwork1–3 credits
Develop collaborative skills and work effectively toward common goals. Appreciate diverse viewpoints as a path to greater wisdom, and foster unity by fulfilling shared responsibilities.
Digital Literacy1–3 credits
Understand and leverage technologies ethically, applying those skills with wisdom to uplift humanity and build unity — using modern tools to solve complex problems and connect.
The CREST Advantage
Real credit for prior learning.
Real credit for prior learning.
Real head start.
The CREST: Credit for Recognized Experience, Service, or Training program evaluates your service and work experience then awards up to 12 academic credits for what you already know. Because of this, you can start SVU ahead and finish stronger.
Ready to find out what your experience is worth?
Contact SVU Admissions at admissions@svu.edu or (540) 261-8401. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Still have questions about the CREST program? Browse the answers below or reach out to us directly at cpl@svu.edu — we’re happy to help.
Any full-time, year-long service may be eligible for Service Learning credit — including but not limited to religious, military, and humanitarian service, as well as primary parenting and caregiver service.
The Knight Launch-ready Competencies are: Self-Development and Self-Awareness, Communication, Critical Thinking, Understanding of Cultures, Traditions, and Peoples, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Digital Literacy. Detailed descriptions of each competency and sample behaviors can be found in our Service-learning Portfolio Guide.
No. Any degree-seeking student at SVU is eligible to apply for CREST credit — full-time enrollment is not required.
Your portfolio should open with a brief introduction identifying which competencies you’re seeking credit for and how much credit you’re requesting for each. From there, include documentation of your service or work experience. The largest and most important section should be your evidence of college-level learning in the competencies you’ve identified — written, visual, and multimedia elements are all accepted.
Step-by-step instructions and full details are available in the CREST Portfolio Guide.
There is a $50 portfolio review fee that covers evaluation by a committee of faculty field specialists. Additionally, The cost per academic credit awarded is determined at the time of application — contact cpl@svu.edu for current rates.
Qualified SVU Faculty members review your portfolio directly in each competency area. Furthermore, The rubrics used to assess your submission are available in the CREST Portfolio Guide. Evaluations are typically completed within a few business days of submitting your documentation.