As anyone who's gone back to college after some time off will tell you, maximizing the number of credits you can transfer from your old school to your new one is an absolute must. It's a great way to save time, money, and effort, and it can give you a head start as you dive back into school. The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) is committed to helping students maximize their approved transfer credits and get to graduation. That’s why we offer a variety of ways to earn traditional and non-traditional college credit. See the UAGC academic catalog for our full transfer credit policies including Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Here are six ways you may apply your non-traditional (CPL) credits toward your bachelor’s degree at UAGC.
1. Credit through Prior Learning Assessment
It’s not uncommon for today’s workers to complete training programs, courses, certifications, and seminars offered by their companies. A number of leading organizations, including AT&T and Amazon, offer these types of programs to employees, and some of them could count as non-traditional prior learning assessment (PLA) college credits. UAGC will evaluate learning earned through work and life experience, and you may be able to apply up to 30 PLA credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Be prepared to document and explain how your work experiences have theoretical and conceptual value – in other words, how did they give you the kind of knowledge that a college class might? When translating work experiences into credits, this point is a major consideration.
2. College Credit for Military Experience
UAGC students who have served in the Armed Forces begin school with a wealth of experience under their belts. Some have worked with and amassed a knowledge of complicated machinery and computer systems, others have valuable leadership experience, and many more have already completed courses while serving in the military. Military Enrollment Services Advisors work with each prospective student to ensure they can maximize their credits using the Joint Services Transcript (JST), as well as any other college transcripts they possess. An incoming student with military and college experience may be able to transfer their approved credits (including non-traditional credits) toward a bachelor’s degree at UAGC.
3. College Credit from National Credit Recommendation Services for Accredited Colleges
UAGC partners with two organizations whose sole purpose is to evaluate trainings, education, and work experience from companies and other non-traditional education, course, training, and exam providers. The University uses the credit recommendations provided by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) to help determine whether what you’ve learned or done outside of the classroom can count toward a college degree. Each organization’s website provides searchable lists of companies and providers with information on trainings, courses, and exams and the credit recommendations.
The U.S. Military prints ACE credit recommendations on Joint Services Transcripts.
4. Credit from Nationally Evaluated Courses
Many UAGC students enter school having completed courses outside of college through nationally evaluated courses. These can include the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and courses through the Childcare Education Institute. During the application process, an Enrollment Services Advisor will work with you to determine whether those courses may count toward your degree.
5. Credit from National Testing Programs
Many students complete national testing programs while in high school, and while that may have been a long time ago for adults going to college, those accomplishments may still count. Talk to your Enrollment Services Advisor if you’ve completed Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the DSST Exam, or other national testing program exams.
6. Transfer Partnerships Credit
Not all of your prior experience has to come from courses offered through your employer. UAGC has transfer partnerships with several non-traditional education providers who offer online courses to students that may be applied toward a degree program. These courses are often self-paced, meaning you can learn whenever you have time, and they’re available via desktop/laptop or mobile device.
Work with your academic advisor to review the transfer guides for each of our partnerships and determine if any of their offerings are right for you!
The ability to apply non-traditional credits to a college degree rewards students for previous accomplishments and saves them from repeating lessons they may have already learned. To understand the value of your previous credits, talk to a UAGC Enrollment Services Advisor today.
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Written by University Staff