By DeVry University
May 12, 2020
4 min read
May 12, 2020
4 min read
When life abruptly changes, it can help to know that some things stay the same—including your ability to reach your education goals. In fact, there may be multiple ways you can get college credit for the knowledge and skills you’ve developed outside of your previous coursework. Discover the benefits of prior learning credit and how you may be able to use your previous work experience, a completed exam or even time served in the military to get credit for prior learning.
Previous education experience:
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.
Military coursework and training:
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.
Professional certifications and training:
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.
Examinations:
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.
Professional knowledge:
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.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Naperville Campus: 1200 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online compliant system http://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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