It just doesn’t seem fair that people who have worked all their lives in a job fail to get the credit they deserve for their hard work and experience. Economic hardship, family difficulties, or other circumstances may force someone to enter the workforce before attending college or technical school. The good news is that the information and job experience built over a lifetime can be turned into a college degree – an accredited life experience degree.

 

One way to get academic credit for what you know is by taking a CLEP test in your area of specialization. The CLEP (college-level examination program) is administered by the College Board and is recognized by almost 3000 universities. Individuals can take one or more of the thirty-three tests offered in two broad categories: composition and literature or science and mathematics. A passing score on one of these tests can be applied to an accredited life experience degree.

 

Opting out of classes with a CLEP test will not result in earning a complete accredited life experience degree. It will enable a student to enter advanced classes and reduce the amount of time needed to earn the degree.

 

Some colleges allow students to earn credit hours toward an accredited life experience degree if they can present a legitimate case. Military experience can count toward this degree, as can job experience. The more documentation the student can provide, the more likely the college will grant him credit for what he knows. Some colleges offer the student an opportunity to give a hands-on demonstration in a particular field of study. Instructors review the demonstration and give credit accordingly.

 

There is no reason to go through life without a college degree. An accredited life experience degree shows the world and an employer that an individual has viable skills to bring to the workforce.

 

Take a look at some of the top schools offering college credit for life and work experience.