he following resources can help you make sure you receive all of your previously earned credit that may be applicable to the degree program that interests you. Transferable College Credits from an Accredited University
The demands of today's complicated lifestyles are changing the ways we earn our college degrees. Typical students today have often attended more than one institution before completing their degree. They may earn credits from traditional "brick-and-mortar" schools, take classes at an online university or complete courses from other non-traditional schools.
Most universities will transfer credits earned at another college or university, so long as the previous institutions are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Different schools may belong to different accrediting agencies, meaning it can get complicated to try and compare "apples to apples" with regards to coursework you have already completed.
Acceptance of credits may also depend on your academic standing and the number of credits you have already earned. Some universities will not accept upper-level coursework from other institutions, and many require all upper-level courses be completed at their school so that students complete their major at the school granting the degree.
The main consideration for transfer of credits is whether the previous school is a member of an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and a member of the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). You can check to see if your institution has proper accreditation by visiting the websites of these organizations:
You may also find it helpful to speak with an academic advisor at the university you hope to attend. These trained professionals can help you determine whether you will be able to transfer the credits you earned at another school.
Military Credit
If you have served in the military, you may be eligible for earned college credits. To determine what credits you are qualified to receive, you will need a copy of your military transcript. There are three different transcripts; the one that applies to you will depend on your military experience:
- If you have a Pay Entry Basic Date (PEBD) before October 31, 1981, visit the Washington Guard website. DD Form 295 is an Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service. This document becomes your official military transcript.
- If you have served in any branch of service and in any component (Active Duty, Reserves, Guard) on or after October 1, 1990 (to include Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted) you are eligible to receive the VMET transcript, available at the Washington Guard website.
- If you had Army National Guard or Regular Army enlisted service with a PEBD on or after October 1, 1981, request an AARTS Transcript at the AARTS Transcript Delivery website. Army National Guard soldiers must also have been on the active rolls as of January 1993.
College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP)
The CLEP program offers exams to earn college credit for what has already been learned from independent study, training or military experience. General education requirements in Math, English, Business, Science, Foreign Languages and many others can often be met through successful completion of CLEP exams.
Approximately 2,900 colleges grant credit or advanced standing for CLEP exams. The cost of a CLEP test is usually $60 for traditional students and free for military personnel and veterans. Many people take CLEP exams to earn college credits faster. To learn more about the program or to get study guides and practice tests, visit the College Board website.
Advanced Placement® Program
The AP Program offers high school students the opportunity to experience college-level academic studies. Thousands of colleges award credit or advanced placement to students who receive qualifying grades on the AP exam. The cost of the test is about $80, and a qualifying grade can make you eligible for advanced standing at over 1,400 institutions across the United States. For more information, visit the College Board website.
DSST ExamsDefense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) sponsors a variety of programs to help qualifying individuals meet their educational goals. The exams are given on more than 560 military installations by the DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO).
Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) were originally designed for the military, but they are now available to civilian students as well. The DSST program allows you to obtain college credit for what you have learned in non-traditional ways by demonstrating your knowledge in commonly taught college courses such as Business, Physical Science, Humanities, Social Science and Applied Technology. College credits are awarded based upon test scores. Visit the DSST website for more information.
Corporate Training Courses and other Experiential Learning
College credit is often awarded for corporate training courses that are recognized by various agencies such as the American Council on Education in its publication The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. You can obtain a copy of this in most libraries, or you can request a transcript from the Registry of Credit Recommendations (ROCR).
A dean or academic advisor from your college or university of choice can assist you in determining on whether or how to apply this credit to your chosen curriculum.
You may also be eligible to receive academic credit for relevant work experience in a professional field that meets experiential learning requirements. There is usually a maximum number of credit hours allowed for experiential learning at most institutions.
Make sure you get the credit you're due!
Beginning or returning to school does not need to be the daunting experience some people make it out to be. And when you leverage all of the prior learning to earn the academic credit you deserve from your prior training and/or experience, it can make a significant difference in the amount of time (and money!) it will take to make your educational dreams become reality.
