How to Earn College Credit for Work Experience

Experiences outside a college classroom can be as valuable as those inside. Real-world activities, such as on-the-job training, professional seminars, and military service, can sometimes lead to college credit.

This is especially true at many online colleges, which often have flexible policies for evaluating prior learning. If you earn credit for work experience, it counts toward your degree. Schools base this credit on your past jobs, internships, or training related to your field.

Discover how schools evaluate and award college credit for work experience in the following guide.

There are several ways to turn your work and life experience into college credits, including passing exams, obtaining licenses or certifications, and leveraging relevant professional experience. Below is an overview of five popular options.

Military-connected students can often receive academic credit for their military learning experience and service. The American Council on Education (ACE) makes recommendations on how many credits military service members and veterans should receive for their experience.

If you’re a military-connected student, you should request a transcript listing your training and military jobs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides additional information on requesting transcripts. That transcript will list the number of credits ACE recommends colleges grant for your military experience. Schools then decide how much credit to award.

Workplace training programs and professional certifications may also translate into college credits. ACE reviews workplace training programs and recommends academic credit policies. The ACE National Guide provides additional information on credit for corporate training.

Some colleges grant credit for professional licenses and certifications as well. For example, many RN-to-BSN programs grant credit for passing the NCLEX exam and holding a valid registered nurse license. Industry certifications in healthcare, technology, or business may also qualify for college credit.

You might qualify for college credit based on the professional licenses and certifications you’ve earned. Many colleges recognize the skills and expertise these credentials represent, treating them as prior learning. This can allow you to bypass certain courses and accelerate your path to graduation.

For example, Purdue Global partners with ACE and the National College Credit Recommendation Service. These organizations assess and recommend licenses and certifications for college credit.

A portfolio assessment allows you to earn college credit for learning that occurred outside a traditional classroom. You can present your experience by submitting essays and publicly verifiable documentation.

The types of experiences eligible for portfolio assessment vary by institution. For example, at Penn State, college-level learning may be demonstrated through experience in full- or part-time jobs, independent reading or study, volunteer work, or military service.

You can earn credit for your work experience by demonstrating your knowledge through nationally recognized exams, often referred to as prior learning assessments. The two most common exams include the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST).

The CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-exam program, utilized by more than 2,900 colleges in the U.S. The DSST is another popular option, with more than 1,500 colleges awarding credit for DSST scores.

Both the CLEP and DSST exams award college credit for passing scores. However, their tests cover different topics, and not every school accepts both exams. Before registering for either test, check which one your school accepts.

Some of the best online colleges also give credit for work and life experience, anywhere from six to 90 credits towards your bachelor’s degree. Below is an overview of some top programs that can help you earn more college credits to save more and graduate faster.

Earning college credit for work experience can save you time and money on your degree. By applying CPL, you may be able to graduate faster. For instance, undergraduates who earn 30 credits through work experience can complete their bachelor’s degree up to a year earlier than traditional students.

This approach is also significantly more affordable. At public four-year institutions, students pay $406 per credit, on average, meaning a three-credit course costs over $1,200. In contrast, a PLA can award you three credits for just $93 — the cost to take the exam. Additionally, this process recognizes the value of what you already know, turning your experience into tangible progress toward your degree.

CLEP exams, military service, and even professional licenses do not guarantee college credits. You need to carefully research college policies on PLAs and CPL before applying to schools. Choosing a college with a more generous CPL policy can pay off.

You should also research the school’s specific certifications or corporate training programs to maximize your opportunities for credit.

Finally, check with colleges about their own PLA programs. Many colleges offer their own exams to test out of lower-division math, English, or world language courses. These programs can help you graduate faster.

In addition to colleges and universities offering their own CPL and PLA programs, there are also organizations dedicated to helping you turn your work and life experiences into college credit. These organizations are working toward standardized policies that emphasize affordability.

ACE learning evaluations can help you receive college credit for a variety of educational, work, and life experiences, allowing you to earn credits, save money, and graduate sooner. You can take ACE evaluations for experiences including:

If your college allows ACE credit for prior learning, a team of faculty members and other subject matter experts will assess your relevant learning. They will determine if your knowledge aligns with the recommended coursework for your college and suggest the appropriate academic credits.

The CAEL provider network is a nationwide list of public and private institutions that offer credit for prior learning or work. On CAEL’s interactive map, you can search the nationwide network by institution or region to find postsecondary institutions that offer prior learning credits for your experience.

CAEL supports registered institutions in assessing and awarding credit but does not charge students a fee for prior learning assessment. However, your college may charge a prior learning assessment fee independently of CAEL.