How Colleges Award Credits for Work Experience

Want to earn college credit for work experience? Learn how these programs work, and check out our list of colleges that give credit for work experience.
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Updated March 13, 2024

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

The average cost of a single college credit is nearly $480. But what if you could earn college credit for work experience?

By the time you're in college, there's a good chance you have at least some work or life experience — especially if you're an older student. Fortunately, you can turn that work experience into college credit.

Colleges that give credit for work experience often use a portfolio review: You'll need to provide evidence of your learning to receive college credit. And not only will it save you time on your degree — it can also save you a huge amount in tuition.

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5 Colleges That Offer Credit for Work Experience

The following five schools attract nontraditional students by offering college credit for work experience. Many other institutions feature similar policies, helping learners graduate faster and save money on a degree.

Berklee College of Music

  • Online Degrees Available: Eight bachelor's degrees; four master's degrees
  • School Type: Private
  • Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Flat rate for all distance learners
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

At Berklee, you can earn up to 30 college credits for work and life experience. The prior learning credit (PLC) policy applies to undergraduates enrolled in a degree-granting program. You'll need to create a portfolio demonstrating how your prior learning aligns with a specific course in your program. For example, you can apply for credit in areas like songwriting, music production, or piano performance.

After submitting your portfolio, Berklee will review your description of the experience and learning outcomes. You can receive three credits per course for up to 10 courses. Berklee charges a $150 fee to review portfolios as of December 2023.

Berklee Online Undergraduate Degree Scholarship

Central Michigan University

  • Online Degrees Available: 24 bachelor's degrees; 18 master's degrees; three doctoral degrees
  • School Type: Public
  • Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes; flat rate for all distance learners
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Both undergraduate and graduate students can use work experience for college credit at CMU. The credit for prior learning program allows up to 60 credits toward a bachelor's degree, 12 credits toward a master of science administration degree, or nine credits toward a master of arts in education degree.

Besides college credit for work experience, CMU also awards credit for workshops, professional development classes, and volunteering. You'll need to submit a portfolio with documentation and a self-assessment of learning. CMU charges $125 to review the portfolio as of December 2023, and you'll receive credits within 6-8 weeks.

Maroon and Gold Merit Recognition Scholarships

Colorado State University's Global Campus

  • Online Degrees Available: 15 bachelor's degrees; 15 master's degrees
  • School Type: Public
  • Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes; flat rate for all distance learners
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Got years of work experience? You can turn them into up to 30 credits at CSU-Global. The prior learning assessment program can shave a year off a bachelor's degree. You'll need at least four years of work experience to qualify. Then, you'll need to submit a PLA application demonstrating that you've met the learning objectives for specific courses.

After you submit a portfolio showcasing your experience and a resume, CSU-Global will award college credits for work experience. You'll need to pay a $150 fee for each portfolio submission as of December 2023.

Academic Excellence Scholarship

Eastern Kentucky University

You can earn credit by exam or credit for work experience at EKU. The credit for prior learning options include department-specific exams to test knowledge and portfolio assessments.

You'll need to demonstrate competency in a specific EKU course to receive college credit. Current students with at least 12 credits at EKU can submit a portfolio. The portfolio should include documentation and a narrative on your learning.

Keep in mind that not every department awards credit for prior learning, and department limits on credits vary. EKU students should contact their academic advisor to learn more.

Start Strong Scholarship

Linfield University

At Linfield, you can earn college credit for life experience. That includes work experience, workshops, life experience, volunteering, and even travel. The prior learning portfolio process awards up to 31 credits toward the 125-credit bachelor's degree.

You can start the process by meeting with an advisor. Then you'll take a course on writing your portfolio with specific instructions on receiving college credit for work experience. In the portfolio, you'll provide evidence of your prior learning experience.

Linfield also awards credits through the American Council on Education (ACE), which offers exams related to business and industry skills.

Honor Society Scholarships

How Do Students Earn Work/Life Credit?

Students can earn work/life credit through examinations. Some colleges use privately developed exams to assess learners' competency in different subjects. Other schools ask faculty to create exams. Students contacting their prospective schools may discover other ways to earn credit.

Credit for Prior Learning (CLEP)

CPL features many benefits, including lowering learners' attendance costs and time in school. According to the College Board, students who pass College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams earn a higher undergraduate GPA than their peers. DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSSTs) feature similar benefits and appeal to active-duty service members. DSST offers many of the same exams as CLEP.

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) developed standards many colleges use for CPL. A CAEL-approved portfolio includes relevant documents. Students may take up to six months to submit a final portfolio. A successful portfolio translates into a passing grade.

Standardized Tests

College-developed exams evaluate students' prior knowledge in much the same way as CLEP or DSSTs. Test takers should ask whether their school provides test preparation materials or other resources. An admissions or enrollment advisor can provide this information.

Nontraditional students can also take the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Learners can take an AP exam without completing the course. A typical AP exam features multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay sections. Colleges use different score cutoffs when awarding credit.

The Pros and Cons of Work Experience Degrees

Pros of Work Experience Degrees


  • Gain Hands-On Experience: Many schools with college credit for work experience offer hands-on experiences. These graduation requirements help students master in-demand skills they'll use in their careers.
  • Study at Your Own Pace: Many nontraditional students who work benefit from a slower, self-paced curriculum. Other degree-seekers use this advantage to finish college courses in less than one semester.
  • Skip Prerequisites: Degree-seekers can avoid taking unnecessary courses. Skipping prerequisites allows them to start gaining new skills immediately.
  • Save Money: Students receiving college credit for work experience save money on their education. They may apply these savings toward another academic program or personal expenses.

Cons of Work Experience Degrees


  • Earning Credits May take Longer: Online students in a self-paced curriculum may need longer to earn a degree than their peers. However, receiving college credit for work experience helps many learners graduate on time.
  • Missing Out on the Traditional College Experience: Online degree-seekers miss out on the traditional college experience. However, this experience may not appeal to nontraditional students with a career or family.
  • Lacking Textbook Knowledge of a Subject: Although some students have relevant work experience, not taking introductory courses may cause them to miss out on core knowledge and skills.
  • Missing Out on Opportunities to Build Relationships and Network with College Peers: Online learners receive fewer opportunities to network with peers and professors. Colleges help students overcome this disadvantage by providing virtual academic and career-planning resources.

Additional Resources: Work Experience for College Credit


Council for Adult and Experiential Learning

Founded in 1974, CAEL helps prospective college students research online colleges with work experience credit. The organization promotes workforce economic development by partnering with employers nationwide. CAEL's training programs help educators provide nontraditional learners with the best educational experience.

American Council on Education

Founded in 1918, ACE advocates for about 1,700 member colleges, universities, and other education providers. ACE develops policies for online colleges with work experience credit. Programs promote expanding the number of schools with CPL and standardizing requirements among them. Special sections on the ACE website provide resources for military and veteran degree-seekers.

Excelsior College

Excelsior's UExcel Credit By Exam program offers new students an affordable CPL experience. Degree-seekers may take exams at home with an online proctor. Exams include anatomy and physiology, business information systems, and contemporary mathematics. Each exam offers a detailed content guide breaking down covered topics. Learners receive a MyExcelsior transcript. Some credits transfer to other colleges.

Western Governors University

WGU offers students a unique CPL policy. Learners sign up for courses like their peers without work experience. However, they may skip lessons by taking assessments when they're ready. This feature allows some degree-seekers to finish courses quickly and start their next course. WGU's per-semester credit policy means accelerated students save money.

Frequently Asked Questions About Work Experience for College Credit


How many credits can you typically earn from work experience?

Colleges that give credit for work experience typically allow up to 30 credits from the portfolio review process. Some schools may award more credits through credit-by-exam programs.

What does that mean in practice? You generally can't earn a degree based only on prior learning. After earning up to 30 credits for work experience, you'll still need 90 more credits for a bachelor's degree. Each college sets its own policies on work experience for college credit, so make sure to check the policies at your school.

How long does the process take to apply for credits?

Most PLA application processes take 2-4 weeks. The time frame depends on the school and learners' work experience. The process involves completing a form and submitting relevant documents to a school's PLA coordinator. These documents may include certification, professional portfolio, and proof of CE completion.

Online colleges with work experience credit may not count that credit toward the minimum attendance requirement. Many schools require transfer students to earn at least 30 credits through coursework.

If you earned work experience credits at one college, can you transfer them to another college?

Transfer advisors can help students determine if and how credits transfer to another school. Many colleges post their credit transfer agreements online. Students who earned college credit for work experience should note that this credit may not transfer. As a result, they must complete the same PLA process at their new school.

Learners should contact their prospective schools to research transfer credit policies. This information can help them determine the total tuition and time needed to graduate.


Page last reviewed June 21, 2023.

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