Getting credit for what you already know

Many colleges award credit for learning done outside a classroom. It is called credit for prior learning, and it can shorten a degree.

Exams

The College Board’s CLEP exams and the DSST exams cover introductory subjects such as history, psychology, math and business. A passing score can earn credit at colleges that accept them. Check each college’s policy for which exams it accepts and the score it needs.

What to do

• Ask each college for its prior learning policy
• Check which exams it accepts
• Request a Joint Services Transcript if you served
• Ask how many prior learning credits it will count

Military and workplace training

The American Council on Education reviews military training and some company training and recommends college credit for it. Service members and veterans can request a Joint Services Transcript to send to schools.

What you learned on the job can sometimes count, but only if you ask the college to look.

Portfolios

Some colleges let you document what you learned at work in a portfolio, which faculty assess for credit. It takes effort, but it can cover several courses at once.