How to Earn a Life Experience Degree

1. Assessing Prior Learning

Typically, the college you apply to will require a copy of your transcripts and a portfolio that includes a written description and samples of your prior experience. The school evaluates your transcripts and experience and helps you design a plan to earn a college degree. Your plan may involve taking a series of exams to verify your prior learning, along with additional course work.

2. What Counts Toward Prior Learning

If colleagues consider you the “expert” in your field or if you’ve mastered a craft through years of self-study, you may be able to translate that extensive knowledge and experience into credits towards a valuable college degree. Knowledge may come from work experience, military service, prior college work, professional development courses or certificates, community and volunteer services or travel.

3. Costs and Fees

Keep in mind that different colleges have different policies regarding life experience credit, and some may require a fee to assess your prior learning. Some schools charge a per credit fee like those for regular course credit; however, a life experience credit costs less. Before you apply, carefully research your college's life experience degree program to discern its costs and the process you must follow to receive credits for your experience.

4. Choose Accredited Schools Only

Look for accredited online schools that suit your academic goals, career objectives, schedule and budget. Unfortunately, not all schools offer credible life experience degrees, so if this is something that could be applicable to your education, examine your college choices thoroughly.