Earning Credit for Your Work Experience: The Non-Traditional Education Path

Samantha HenriksonExcelsior College7 Columbia CircleAlbany NY 12203

Non-traditional education benefits

Same rigor as traditional classroomFlexible to family and work obligationsCollege Credit awarded for on job trainingAbility to test out for additional college creditsGenerous Transfer Policy Combine work experience with the degree to advance/change your career

How Does It Work?

Faculty evaluation for college creditPrior Learning Assessment American Counsel of Education (ACE)

Example: Nuclear Power Industry

Degree Path Training

Other Examples

SANS- Credit Awarded for Training in this Field Credit award toward a degree in IT Certifications (I.E. Microsoft, COMP TIA, etc)

GE Wind TechnicianCredit awarded for their on the job training that can be applied to the Bachelor of Tech Management with a Renewable Area of Focus

Business Credits Awarded

Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) = 6 credits towards BS in Business w/ HR ConcentrationSenior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR)= 6 credits towards MBAThe majority of people who work in HR obtain these certifications over time.

Business Credits Awarded

People who work in insurance are often required to take exams/certifications

School of Business accepts credit for exams (ACE evaluated) taken through The Institutes.

Additional Examples

Credit Award for Military Training Through the College of the American Soldier Criminal Justice Training Academies can be evaluated for academic credit Nursing Students can test out of certain credits towards their degrees

General College Wide Poilcy

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) PortfolioExcelsior College offers enrolled and future students the option to pursue PLA Portfolio through a partnership with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and LearningCounts.orgTMEarn College Credit for What You Already KnowEarn up to 6 credits for each portfolio that the student completes.

Other Ways to Earn Credits

Test Out of Course Work for Arts and Science Requirements through CLEP, DANTES, Uexcel Exams. Transfer in any college credits with no time limits (in most cases) with a grade of C or betterExtra-Institutional Learning

Take Away

Many different paths to earn credits towards a degree. Easier to finally earn the degree that can lead to more success in your career.

Web Links for More Information

http://clep.collegeboard.org/

http://www.dantes.doded.mil/Programs/Exams_CLEP.htmlhttp://www.excelsior.edu/prior-learning-assessment-pla-portfoliowww.excelsior.edu

Questions