Earn College Credit with Prior-Learning Assessments

Prior-learning assessments (PLAs) award college credit, certification or advanced standing for a student’s non-academic experiences and training. Students that participate in PLA testing can use these credits as a shortcut to graduation.

While the concept of credit-for-experience is not new, PLAs have gained considerable traction in recent years due to the rising costs of higher education and the expansion of non-traditional training programs. Thousands of accredited U.S. colleges now recognize and grant credit for PLAs.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

There are a number of ways for adults, part-time students and working professionals to earn PLA credits for the skills and expertise they already possess.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) has been in place for over 40 years and is one of academia’s most trusted sources of prior learning credits. The CLEP program is administered by the College Board, the same organization that manages the SAT exam and the Advanced Placement (AP) program.

Currently, 33 examinations are available across a variety of subject areas. Homeschooled students, academically gifted high schoolers, military personnel and students who have gained subject-specific job experience are all eligible for CLEP tests. Exams are grouped among five areas:

Depending on the exam and the college where you plan to attend, you may earn between 3 to 12 credits by passing one of these exam. Each exam is $80. Downloadable guides are also available.

The DSST exam, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, first established in 1974, was originally intended exclusively for military personnel. DANTES stands for Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. These exams were funded for active service members and their spouses and awarded college credit for training received on the job.

In 2006, DSST administration was purchased by a contracted test administrator. Though the acronym remained the same, the exam content was modified to be applicable to a civilian audience as well. Now any student who seeks recognition for learning done outside the traditional classroom can take the DSST, including military service members, adult learners and high school students.

DSST exams function much like CLEP exams and complement CLEP offerings. Over 30 exams are available; while members of the military and their spouses are still able to take DSSTs at no cost, other test-takers are charged $80 per exam. Tests covering mastery in business, humanities, math, physical science, social sciences and technology each provide 3 credits. Students who would like to practice can access sample question sets for free online or purchase full exams from test prep providers like Peterson’s or Prometric.

Excelsior College is an accredited online school that targets nontraditional students. Of its undergraduate and graduate 2014 enrollment totaling over 36,000 students, 77% of these students were employed full-time and 13% part-time. Military service members also represent a significant chunk of its student body: 30% were active duty and 10% were veterans.

A major initiative at Excelsior is the UExcel Exams, which offer course credit in exchange for passing proficiency exams. These computer-based exams are administered at multiple global testing centers. Topical tests in business, education, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, nursing, and social sciences and history are all offered.

Excelsior students are encouraged to take UExcel Exams if applicable. Students at other colleges, high schools, and working adults may also take these exams. In fact, hundreds of schools (accept transfer credits) earned through Excelsior exams and programs. Depending on the course, fees range from $95 to $445. Students may earn from 3 to 8 credits per exam.

This organization, recognizing that learning frequently happens outside of a traditional classroom, offers a different option for students to earn college credit for information they already know. Online portfolio development courses are designed to help students present a body of knowledge in a given subject. Once completed, this portfolio is evaluated for college credit at participating schools.

Students may choose an instructor-led course that lasts six weeks, or a do-it-yourself portfolio development that allows a more flexible schedule. Each developed portfolio is matched to a course at your college worth 3 credits. The instructor-led course is $895 and earns 3 credits. They also offer a DIY module for $149, which takes students through the ins and outs of PLA-driven credit so they can best plan and present their own PLA coursework for credit. However, this self-taught program does not directly reward any credits.

Western Governors University approaches education with a unique bent. Its Competency-Based Education program allows students to earn a college degree through a series of skills assessments. Students still have to complete assignments, write papers, and pass tests. However, WGU removes the traditional focus on “seat time.”

Tuition is charged at a flat rate every six months. The tuition price has no bearing on the number of credits you earn. Instead, you can optimize the time to best suit your learning style and schedule. Motivated learners can often accelerate their degree completion schedules via this unique structure.

Typically, students take four courses for each six-month time frame. Tuition varies per degree program. A bachelor’s degree in business, for example, costs $2,890 every six months. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is considerably more, at $4,250 per six months.