Make Your Work Experience Count: Earning College Credit for Your Career

Have you been working for a few years and now want to go back to school? Or are you currently working and hoping to fit in college classes around your busy schedule? If so, you’re probably wondering how you can maximize the time and money you’ll invest in higher education.

The good news is, your work experience may help you earn college credits saving you both time and tuition costs. Many colleges offer assessments that translate your on-the-job learning into academic credit.

In this article we’ll explain how you can get college credit for work experience and highlight the key benefits. Read on to learn how to make the most of your career when heading back to school.

What is Credit for Prior Learning?

Credit for prior learning (CPL) allows students to use their work experience and other learning outside the classroom to earn college credit. Schools typically assess prior learning through a prior learning assessment (PLA).

With a PLA you can showcase evidence of your work-related skills and knowledge. If you can prove you’ve mastered material normally taught in college courses, you may test out of those classes.

By earning CPL, you can graduate faster, saving both time and tuition costs. For example, if you earn 30 credits for work experience, you could finish your bachelor’s degree in just three years instead of four.

CPL offers adult and nontraditional students an affordable way to leverage their career for college credit. However, it benefits all types of learners, allowing both working students and recent high school graduates to translate relevant experience into college credit.

The Benefits of Credit for Prior Learning

Earning credit for your work experience offers many advantages:

• Save time earning your degree. By earning credits for what you already know, you can accelerate your time to graduation.

• Reduce tuition costs. Earning credits through experience rather than taking classes can result in thousands in tuition savings.

• Make good use of your work experience. Get credit for your effort at work rather than repeating what you already know.

• Validate your knowledge. Demonstrate that your skills meet college standards.

• Build confidence. Testing out of classes shows you can succeed in college academics.

• Enroll in more advanced courses sooner. Move right into higher-level classes in your major.

As you can see, college credit for work experience offers multiple benefits that help learners of all types maximize their prior learning.

How to Earn Credit for Prior Learning

If you want to turn your work history into college credit, here are some of the main options:

Credit by Exam

Standardized exams offer one route to test out of certain college courses. Two common examples include:

• CLEP: The College Level Examination Program offers 33 exams in topics like business, history, economics, and more. Over 2,900 schools accept CLEP.

• DSST: The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests focus on humanities, math, and technology. Over 1,500 colleges grant credit for passing scores.

Before taking CLEP or DSST exams, check that your school accepts scores for credit.

Portfolio Assessment

Many colleges allow you to put together a portfolio demonstrating your work-related learning. The portfolio ties your experience to the academic knowledge and skills you’d gain in college courses.

Faculty reviewers assess your portfolio and determine how many credits you’ve earned. Portfolios often include:

• Resume and training documents
• Manager affidavits confirming your skills
• Work samples like reports, projects, presentations
• Reflective narrative essay

Portfolio review costs range from $50 to $300 per portfolio, still far less than a three-credit course. Expect the process to take a few months.

Evaluation of Corporate and Military Training

Colleges may award credit for professional licenses, corporate training, and military experience. Organizations like the American Council on Education (ACE) help colleges translate these experiences into academic credit.

For example, military training is evaluated by ACE and credit recommendations are listed on transcripts. Check with your school to see if they accept ACE or corporate training for credit.

Credit for MOOCs and Certificates

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) from platforms like Coursera, Udacity, and LinkedIn Learning are another option. Some colleges award credit for passing verified courses. Professional certificates can sometimes translate to credits as well.

Departmental Exams

Many college departments offer challenge exams that allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in a subject. Tests are available for commonly waived courses like intro business, biology, and Spanish.

Key Tips for Earning CPL

If you want to maximize potential credits for work experience, keep these tips in mind:

• Research school policies. Look for generous CPL policies when choosing a school. Public colleges tend to be more flexible.

• Save evidence from training and work. Gather licenses, course certificates, awards, and work samples to showcase in a portfolio.

• Match experience to course objectives. Align your skills and knowledge with learning objectives for target courses.

• Keep skills current. Colleges may require recent or current work experience to award credit.

With some advance planning, you can optimally position yourself to earn credits for your work experience.

Turning Work Experience into College Credit

As you consider heading to college, don’t let your work history go to waste. With credit for prior learning, you can exchange your career experience for valuable college credits.

Carefully research the CPL options available and take advantage of assessments like CLEP exams and portfolio reviews. With some strategic planning, you can maximize the number of credits you’ll earn.

The bottom line? College credit for work experience can help you graduate faster, save money, and make the most of your career.