Get College Credit for Your Work Experience

by Lori Johnston

Your on-the-job training can come in handy when considering returning to school. And in the past couple of years, there has been a bigger push for universities and other higher education institutions to give students credit for work experience. Two main work experience programs allow adult workers to transfer their work experience to the classroom, and get the credit they deserve.

CLEP
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers 34 examinations that test knowledge workers have gained on the job, through professional development training and other options. According to the CLEP site program, exam takers have included working adults, veterans and those serving in the military, parents juggling jobs, family and other responsibilities, and individuals in the midst of a career change.

The exams, which cost $72, are given by the College Board in subjects ranging from biology to principles of marketing to American government. Students can receive from three to 12 undergraduate credits, as determined by each institution’s policy and discretion. Passing a CLEP can mean skipping over introductory courses so you can spend their time on more advanced classes, or it could help you reach proficiency requirements.

Find out if your college accepts CLEP by contacting the admissions office, academic advising department, and testing center; approximately 2,900 institutions offer credit for CLEP exams. Some of the guidelines may fall under categories such as credit-by-examination, advanced placement, external degree program or advanced standing on your school’s website or in its catalogue.

CREDIT
The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT) is another program accepted by some colleges in the U.S. The CREDIT program takes the education that workers have received through formal courses taken outside of the college or university degree programs for professional training, certifications, military service, labor union apprenticeships, or other purposes. Awarding credit for prior learning and experience will motivate students to enroll in formal postsecondary programs of study, according to the program, which began in 1974.

The CREDIT program evaluates courses based on policies set by the Commission for Lifelong Learning. Students can seek credit when applying to a college for courses they’ve taken through outside organizations. To qualify, the college will need to receive a transcript from the Ace Transcript Service. The CREDIT program looks at courses offered by companies and organizations ranging from the American Bankers Association to the Fire Department of New York City to Sun Microsystems to the Virginia State Police Academy. Credit for the course will be accepted in cases where the course is required for a degree or certificate, according to the program’s guidelines.

These programs reflect the ways your work experience can be beneficial, whether you’re looking to change careers or boost your knowledge to move onto the next step professionally. Having a head start might be just the boost you need.