Get College Credit for Prior Learning: How to Qualify

Have you completed classes at another college or university? Leveraging your qualifying transfer credits is often the most common way that you can apply your prior learning experience. Some institutions maintain academic agreements with two- and four-year colleges and universities to ensure that students can transfer credits when eligible.

Depending on your training, you may be able to get college credit for prior learning completed during your time in the military. Each institution may have their own evaluation process, however, often your military coursework and educational experiences are based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations, so the specific military coursework accepted for prior learning credit will vary on an individual basis. For examples of military courses that may qualify, check out the ACE Military Guide.

Throughout your career or education, you may have completed certifications from companies and organizations like Microsoft, Cisco or CompTIA. Depending on your area of study and other restrictions, you may be able to get prior learning credit for earning these certifications.

Some schools offer potential prior learning credit based on certain qualifying national exams including the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and College Level Examination Program, as well as industry-specific tests such as the American Health Information Management Association Exam.

Sometimes you master skills by completing professional projects, creating your own website or other non-traditional methods of training. In these instances, you may benefit from completing your school's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) application process which could translate into earning college credit for skills demonstrated outside of a classroom.