Key Takeaways
With the average single credit at $490, leveraging work experience could save you up to $14,700, with most schools capping credits at 15-30.
Without any aid, sticker price for in-state tuition and fees for 4 years at a public university averages $47,800. Using credits for prior learning can represent 30% savings.
Prior learning assessments, credit by exam, and other credits for work and life experience can not only save you money, but also cut your time to graduation.
Obtaining academic credit to put towards a degree or certificate from an accredited college or university can be obtained via relevant work experience, certificates or licences, military training, or certain examinations. Doing so can significantly reduce how long it takes you to complete your degree, especially favoring adult learners.
Below, we'll cover some of the ways you can go about it.
How Do Students Earn Work/Life Credit?
Every school has its own policies and requirements for awarding academic credit for work and life experience, though most support one or more of the following credit transfer methods. Make sure to review your school's transfer credit guidelines to get the most out of your prior experience.
Prior Learning Assessments
Prior learning assessments (PLAs) evaluate your lived experience outside of the classroom with the purpose of awarding credit for nonacademic training and workplace experiences. The idea is to evaluate whether that learning is college-level, and then allocate a certain number of college credits.
There are several types of assessments used to determine how much credit you'll get. These include:
Individualized portfolios, often created in a portfolio development course, with equivalencies between prior experience and specific college courses
Evaluation of apprenticeship programs
Assessment of non-program training, such as firefighter's EMT training counting towards a fire science degree
You may also need to supply academic transcripts, certificates of training completion, verification letters, and other documentation that supports your claim.
Challenge Examinations
Many schools allow students to sit for specialized (either customized or standard) exams that assess their skills or knowledge in a specific discipline.
In addition to their own internally developed exams, schools may use:
DSST (formerly DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) – originated by the United States Department of Defense's Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, this is series of 33 exams is available to military personnel
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are offered by the College Board at official test centers or at home with remote proctoring, and are accepted at over regionally accredited 3,000 schools.
DSST tests more commonly apply to technical, subject-specific material and are available for both upper and lower level credit, while CLEP exams most readily lead to lower level credits for general education components.
Credits for Military Experience
You can earn credits for your military experience through the DANTES Military Training Evaluation Program (MTEP). Together with the American Council of Education, the program evaluates and validates your military training and occupational experiences to award post-secondary credit.
You must submit several planning documents via the MTEP Portal 90 days prior to review. These include Occupation/rating/MOS manuals that include duties, qualifications, and expectations, official position descriptions, technical guides or training manuals, charts illustrating your career progression, population counts by paygrade, and other official documentation.
Additional Resources for Transfer Students
For additional insights, explore a list of the best online colleges for working adults and this resource hub for military students.
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) helps prospective college students research online colleges that offer credit for work experience through the Credit for Prior Learning Provider Network. 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.
American Council on Education
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Experience for College Credit
Colleges that give credit for work experience typically allow the transfer of up to 30 credits through a portfolio review process. Some schools may award additional credits through exam programs. You can't earn an accredited degree based only on prior learning or work experience. Check your school's policy for more.
