Starting fall 2025, students enrolled in the ACES 1130 Agricultural Industry Certifications class can earn up to six hours of college credits
In collaboration with the New Mexico FFA, iCEV, a trailblazer in Career & Technical Education (CTE) solutions, has partnered with New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to offer Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) to students who earn industry certifications through the iCEV Testing Platform. Through this first-of-its-kind partnership, NMSU students in ACES 1130 who have earned one or two of 17 approved industry certifications can earn three credit hours per certification earned for a maximum of six credit hours.
“New Mexico State University’s partnership with iCEV opens up incredible opportunities for CTE students by offering university credit for industry-aligned certifications,” said Dr. William Norris, assistant professor of agricultural education at NMSU. “This collaboration not only strengthens students’ academic credentials, it also equips them with skills directly relevant to today’s agricultural workforce needs, empowering them to transition seamlessly from classroom to career.”
Starting in fall 2025, any currently-enrolled NMSU student can enroll in the ACES 1130 – Agricultural Industry Certifications course and submit their completed certifications to receive three hours per certification earned, up to two certifications. The full list of the 17 approved industry certifications can be found on iCEV’s New Mexico page here.
“As the State Supervisor of Agriculture Education in New Mexico, I believe that industry credentials are vital in forging strong partnerships between our agricultural education programs and New Mexico State University. These credentials validate the skills and knowledge that our CTE students have diligently acquired, aligning their education with real-world industry standards,” said R. Gary Aycock, New Mexico Agricultural Education State Supervisor and New Mexico FFA Advisor. “By offering credit for prior learning based on these credentials, NMSU not only accelerates our students’ academic progress, it also empowers them to enter the agricultural workforce with confidence and competence. This collaboration enhances the value of agricultural education in our state and ensures that our students are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the industry.”
The iCEV Testing Platform hosts 19 industry certifications developed and recognized by leading organizations nationwide, and it offers test preparation for more than 70 other certifications. By bridging the gap between education and industry standards, iCEV prepares students not only for career advancement, it also prepares them for lifelong personal and professional growth.
“We’re excited about this opportunity for earners of industry certifications,” said Clayton Franklin, Chief Product Officer of iCEV. “We’re glad that NMSU honors the industry recognition and acceptance of the certifications we host and manage for our industry partners.”
For other colleges and higher education institutions interested in a similar partnership, contact certifications@icevonline.com. To learn more about iCEV and its commitment to CTE, visit www.icevonline.com.
The American Consortium for Equity in Education, publisher of the "Equity & Access" journal, celebrates and connects the educators, associations, community partners and industry leaders who are working to solve problems and create a more equitable environment for historically underserved pre K-12 students throughout the United States.
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
