How Colleges Award Credits for Work Experience
Key Takeaways
- The average cost of a single college credit is approximately $490, so converting work experience into credits can lead to significant tuition savings.
- Institutions like Central Michigan University and Colorado State University Global Campus offer prior learning assessment programs, allowing students to earn up to 60 and 30 credits respectively through portfolios and documentation of work experience.
- Alternative methods such as the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) enable students to earn college credits by passing exams in various subjects, reflecting their existing knowledge and experience.
By the time you’re in college, there’s a good chance you have at least some work or life experience — especially if you’re an older student. Fortunately, you can turn that work experience into college credit.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average cost of a single college credit is around $490, meaning you could save hundreds or even thousands on tuition by maximizing college credits for work experience and allowing you to graduate sooner.
You’ll typically need to provide evidence of your learning to receive college credit. But it’s worth the extra work to protect your time and resources. The guide below will help you identify colleges and opportunities to maximize your credits.
5 Colleges That Offer Credit for Work Experience
The following five schools attract nontraditional students by offering college credit for work experience. Many other institutions feature similar policies, helping learners graduate faster and save money on a degree.
1. Berklee College of Music
- Online Degrees Available: 12 undergraduate programs, including a create-your-own-major option; 5 graduate programs
- School Type: Private, nonprofit
- Do Distance Learners Pay Flat-Rate Tuition? Yes
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Berklee College of Music’s prior learning credit policy allows online learners to earn up to 30 credits for previous work, life, and/or learning experiences. An interested candidate must complete a portfolio that validates their past experience and relates it to specific Berklee classes.
The school requires each student with relevant experience to complete a prior learning credit registration request, which enrolls them in a prior learning portfolio course. In this class, they craft an essay relating their experiences to curricular offerings at the school, along with intended learning outcomes.
2. Central Michigan University
- Online Degrees Available: 22 undergraduate degrees; 19 graduate degrees
- School Type: Public
- Do Distance Learners Pay Flat-Rate Tuition? Yes
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
At Central Michigan University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate credits for prior learning relating to past employment, volunteer activities, and professional development experiences. Undergrads can receive up to 60 credits for prior learning, while graduate enrollees can earn up to 12.
Interested candidates must complete a portfolio with a cover letter, transcripts from past education, a transfer credit evaluation, and documented history of their work experience, along with other requirements.
Graduate students can also receive credit for certifications, such as curriculum and instruction, health and physical education, and master of science in administration credentials.
3. Colorado State University’s Global Campus
- Online Degrees Available: 15 undergraduate degrees; 15 graduate degrees
- School Type: Public
- Do Distance Learners Pay Flat-Rate Tuition? Yes
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
The Online Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program at Colorado State University Global Campus (CSU Global) allows enrollees to earn up to 30 credits for past experiences in higher education, life, work, and independent study.
To receive PLA credits, each candidate must submit a portfolio demonstrating the work they’ve done and the CSU Global classes they would apply to. They must also provide a professional resume. CSU Global offers a list of qualifying courses that PLA credits can cover, allowing prospective transfer students to browse potential classes to bypass.
4. Eastern Kentucky University
- Online Degrees Available: 25 undergraduate programs; 21 graduate programs
- School Type: Public
- Do Distance Learners Pay Flat-Rate Tuition? Yes
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), online learners can receive credit for prior learning to lower their overall tuition costs and shorten their graduation timelines. EKU offers credit for experiences like military service, exams, professional work, and high school credit.
The university offers a Credit for Prior Learning Survey, allowing current and prospective students to prepare the right materials for their portfolio review. Students can also view its transfer course equivalency guide for insight into potential classes they can cover with prior learning experiences.
5. Linfield University
- Online Degrees Available: 7 undergraduate degrees
- School Type: Private
- Do Distance Learners Pay Flat-Rate Tuition? Yes
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Linfield University’s Department of Online and Continuing Education (OCE) recognizes students’ past experiences in professional workplaces, workshops, volunteering, and traveling by offering equivalent credits for their prior learning.
The school offers three pathways for students with relevant experiences to receive credit: a portfolio review, requiring a portfolio writing class and an advisor meeting; American Council on Education training course completion; and tests like the College Level Examination Program.
How Do Students Earn Work/Life Credit?
Students can earn work/life credit through examinations. Some colleges use privately developed exams to assess learners’ competency in different subjects. Other schools ask faculty to create exams. Students contacting their prospective schools may discover other ways to earn credit.
Credit for Prior Learning (CLEP)
CPL features many benefits, including lowering learners’ attendance costs and time in school. According to the College Board, students who pass College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams earn a higher undergraduate GPA than their peers. DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSSTs) feature similar benefits and appeal to active-duty service members. DSST offers many of the same exams as CLEP.
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) developed standards many colleges use for CPL. A CAEL-approved portfolio includes relevant documents. Students may take up to six months to submit a final portfolio. A successful portfolio translates into a passing grade.
Standardized Tests
College-developed exams evaluate students’ prior knowledge in much the same way as CLEP or DSSTs. Test takers should ask whether their school provides test preparation materials or other resources. An admissions or enrollment advisor can provide this information.
Nontraditional students can also take the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Learners can take an AP exam without completing the course. A typical AP exam features multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay sections. Colleges use different score cutoffs when awarding credit.
The Pros and Cons of Work Experience Degrees
Pros of Work Experience Degrees
- Gain Hands-On Experience: Many schools with college credit for work experience offer hands-on experiences. These graduation requirements help students master in-demand skills they’ll use in their careers.
- Study at Your Own Pace: Many nontraditional students who work benefit from a slower, self-paced curriculum. Other degree-seekers use this advantage to finish college courses in less than one semester.
- Skip Prerequisites: Degree-seekers can avoid taking unnecessary courses. Skipping prerequisites allows them to start gaining new skills immediately.
- Save Money: Students receiving college credit for work experience save money on their education. They may apply these savings toward another academic program or personal expenses.
Cons of Work Experience Degrees
- Earning Credits May take Longer: Online students in a self-paced curriculum may need longer to earn a degree than their peers. However, receiving college credit for work experience helps many learners graduate on time.
- Missing Out on the Traditional College Experience: Online degree-seekers miss out on the traditional college experience. However, this experience may not appeal to nontraditional students with a career or family.
- Lacking Textbook Knowledge of a Subject: Although some students have relevant work experience, not taking introductory courses may cause them to miss out on core knowledge and skills.
- Missing Out on Opportunities to Build Relationships and Network with College Peers: Online learners receive fewer opportunities to network with peers and professors. Colleges help students overcome this disadvantage by providing virtual academic and career-planning resources.
Additional Resources: Work Experience for College Credit
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Founded in 1974, CAEL helps prospective college students research online colleges with work experience credit. 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
Founded in 1918, ACE advocates for about 1,700 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 College
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Experience for College Credit
How many credits can you typically earn from work experience?
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 credit-by-exam programs.
You usually can’t earn a degree based only on prior learning or work experience. For example, after earning 30 credits for work experience, you’ll still need 90 more credits for a bachelor’s degree.
However, each college treats work experience credits differently, so check your school’s policies. Some schools don’t offer any credit for work experience.
How long does the process take to apply for credits?
Most prior learning assessment (PLA) applications take 2-4 weeks to process. The time frame depends on the college’s policies and your experience. You may need to submit relevant documents such as a certification or professional portfolio, or you may need to complete an exam.
Online colleges that offer credit for work experience may not count that credit toward the minimum attendance requirement. Many schools require transfer students to earn at least 30 credits through coursework at the degree-granting college. And some colleges charge a fee for each PLA credit.
If you earned work experience credits at one college, can you transfer them to another?
Whether you can transfer work experience credits depends on your college’s policies. Your college’s transfer advisor can help you determine if and how credits transfer to another school. Many colleges post their credit transfer agreements online.
Work experience credits may not transfer even if standard coursework transfers. However, you can complete the same PLA process at your new college if it offers credit for work. You can contact your new college to research transfer credit policies and determine the tuition and time needed to graduate.
What are the best ways to get college credit for work experience?
You can get college credit for work experience in many areas, including military service, certifications, and licensure. Creating a portfolio of work experience to showcase your knowledge and expertise is a good starting point.
If your college accepts CLEP exams, you can browse more than 30 available subjects and consider taking these or other PLAs to prove your knowledge. CLEP exams cost $95 each and are free for qualified military service members. Subjects span history, social sciences, arts, math, science, business, and world languages.
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