How Colleges Award Credits for Work Experience

Most college students have at least some work or life experience, especially adult learners. Turning your work experience into college credit can save you time and money.

The average cost of a single college credit is around $490, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and you’ll need 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. Maximizing college credits for work experience could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars — and can allow you to graduate sooner.

Our guide will help you identify colleges that award credits for prior learning (CPL) so that you can maximize your credits.

Every college has its own policies and requirements to receive academic credit for work and life experience. Most support one or more of the following credit transfer methods. And make sure to review your school’s transfer credit guidelines to get the most out of your prior experience.

Prior learning assessments (PLAs) evaluate nonacademic training and workplace experiences. If the content aligns with your program’s curriculum, the school may waive those courses from your requirements or award you credits for them.

PLAs typically involve portfolio submissions or other types of documentation that connect your prior learning to course content. Your school may request:

You may also need to supply academic transcripts, certificates of training completion, verification letters, and other documentation that supports your claim.

Many schools allow students to sit for specialized exams covering specific course content. You can then obtain credit by passing the exam.

In addition to their own internally developed exams, schools may use:

DSST tests more commonly apply to technical, subject-specific material, while CLEP exams most readily lead to credits for general education components.

You can earn credits for your military experience through the DANTES Military Training Evaluation Program or MTEP.

The process incorporates a comprehensive American Council on Education review of your training and qualifications. You may need to sit for DSST and/or CLEP examinations as part of the process.

For additional insights, explore a list of the best online colleges for working adults and this resource hub for military students.

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) helps prospective college students research online colleges with work experience credits. The organization promotes workforce economic development by partnering with employers nationwide. CAEL’s training programs help educators provide nontraditional learners with the best educational experience. Degree seekers can also use the Credit for Prior Learning Provider Network to find institutions that offer credit for prior experiences.

The American Council on Education (ACE) advocates for about 1,600 member colleges, universities, and other education providers. ACE develops policies for online colleges with work experience credit. Programs promote expanding the number of schools with CPL and standardizing requirements among them. Special sections on the ACE website provide resources for military and veteran degree seekers.

Excelsior’s UExcel Credit By Exam program offers new students an affordable CPL experience. Degree seekers may take exams at home with an online proctor. Exams include anatomy and physiology, business information systems, and contemporary mathematics. Each exam offers a detailed content guide breaking down covered topics. Learners receive a MyExcelsior transcript. Some credits transfer to other colleges.

Western Governors University (WGU) offers students a unique CPL policy. Learners sign up for courses like their peers without work experience. However, they may skip lessons by taking assessments when they’re ready. This feature allows some degree seekers to finish courses quickly and start their next course. WGU’s per-semester credit policy means accelerated students save money.