College Credit for Experience
Yes, college credit for experience is still a viable concept. Many colleges and universities offer programs like Credit for
Prior Learning (CPL) and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to recognize and give credit for the knowledge and skills that individuals
have acquired outside of traditional academic settings
[8]. These programs can help adult learners, non-traditional students, and those with significant life or work experiences
to accelerate their degree completion and reduce the time and cost of education.
Some ways to earn college credit for life experience include:
Military experience: Service members can earn college credit based on their work experience, training, and courses taken while
in the military. They need to request their Joint Services Transcript, which lists official college credit recommendations
made by the American Council on Education (ACE) based on their service record.
Corporate training and professional credentials: Many colleges offer credit for recognized industry certifications and training
programs. For instance, Purdue Global will award credits for a large number of IT certifications if the certification was
earned within the last three years.
Competency-based education: Students can move at their own pace through course material and take assessments whenever they
are ready. Demonstrating knowledge through competency-based education can allow you to progress more quickly through a program
than through a traditional pathway.
Online colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, Excelsior University, and Purdue Global are known for their robust
programs that accept prior learning and work experience for college credit.
To determine if earning college credit for life experience is right for you, consider whether you understand the ideologies
behind your experiences and the concrete steps you took to gain that knowledge.
online.champlain.edu
Credit for Prior Learning: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting College Credit for Life Experience
cmich.edu
9 ways to turn life experience into college credit
geteducated.com
6 Ways to Get College Credit for Work & Life Experience | GetEducated
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Thomas Edison State University Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program Details
Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program that allows students to convert their
professional and life experiences into college credits. This program is designed to help students fast-track their degrees
and save time and money. Here are the key details:
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled and matriculated to fill out the PLA form. Graduate students can utilize the Grad PLA
process.
Types of Courses: Credit cannot be earned through portfolio assessment for certain types of courses, including:
Physical education activity courses
Courses that must be fulfilled through direct current experience, such as practicum courses, field experiences, internships,
student teaching, cooperative education, senior seminars, capstones, and lab courses not accompanied by related lecture/theory
courses
English composition and most math courses (though TECEP exams are available for these subjects)
Process: Students can earn credit by demonstrating that their knowledge is equivalent to what they would have learned in an
equivalent college course. This is done through a portfolio that identifies and articulates the knowledge gained from various
experiences such as work, training programs, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies, community or religious
activities, organizational memberships, adult education, noncredit courses, study abroad, and military training.
Tools: TESU provides a Credit Predictor Tool, which is free to use and helps students build their professional training profile
to identify certifications, credentials, and training that may be worth college credit.
Additional Options: TESU offers TECEP® exams, which are credit-by-examination tests. These exams are available in a wide range
of business and liberal arts subjects, including psychology, management, English composition, and marketing. The University
also accepts CLEP®, DSST®, and Excelsior exam credits where appropriate.
Excelsior University Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program Details
Excelsior University also offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program to help students earn college credits for their
prior learning and experiences. Here are the key details:
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled and matriculated to participate in the PLA program.
Types of Courses: Similar to TESU, certain types of courses are not eligible for PLA credit, including:
Physical education activity courses
Courses that must be fulfilled through direct current experience, such as practicum courses, field experiences, internships,
student teaching, cooperative education, senior seminars, capstones, and lab courses not accompanied by related lecture/theory
courses
English composition and most math courses (though alternative assessment methods like exams may be available)
Process: Students can earn credit by demonstrating that their knowledge is equivalent to what they would have learned in an
equivalent college course. This is done through a portfolio that identifies and articulates the knowledge gained from various
experiences such as work, training programs, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies, community or religious
activities, organizational memberships, adult education, noncredit courses, study abroad, and military training.
Additional Options: Excelsior University offers a variety of credit-by-examination options, including CLEP®, DSST®, and Excelsior
College Examinations (Excelsior Exams). These exams cover a wide range of subjects and can be used to earn credit for prior
learning.
Purdue Global Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program Details
Purdue Global offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program to help students earn college credits for their prior learning
and experiences. Here are the key details:
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled and matriculated to participate in the PLA program.
Types of Courses: Certain types of courses are not eligible for PLA credit, including:
Program capstone courses
Courses with specific time frame requirements (refer to your school’s and program’s policies for more details)
Process: Students can earn credit by demonstrating that their knowledge is equivalent to what they would have learned in an
equivalent college course. This is done through a portfolio that identifies and articulates the knowledge gained from various
experiences such as work, training programs, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies, community or religious
activities, organizational memberships, adult education, noncredit courses, study abroad, and military training.
Credit Limits: Credits awarded in any combination of externally assessed prior learning may not exceed 75 percent of the credits
required in an undergraduate credential or 50 percent of a graduate credential. Refer to the policies of individual doctoral
programs for more information about prior learning restrictions at the doctoral level.
Documentation: All prior learning is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and credit is awarded ultimately at the discretion
of the University. Official documentation is required to receive credit. Official documentation is typically an official transcript
sent directly from the source institution to the Office of the Registrar. For alternative credit sources that do not provide
an official transcript, consult your advisor to learn what official documentation is accepted.
Summary
Thomas Edison State University: Offers PLA and TECEP exams, with restrictions on certain types of courses.
Excelsior University: Offers PLA and various credit-by-examination options, with similar restrictions on certain types of
courses.
Purdue Global: Offers PLA with credit limits and specific documentation requirements, with restrictions on capstone courses
and time-sensitive courses.
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