Higher education is no longer focused solely on students who enroll directly after high school. According to the Lumina Foundation, roughly one-third of college students are age 25 or older, and a majority are working to support themselves while they are in school.  

Nontraditional students bring a rich perspective to their studies, and higher education institutions have evolved to recognize the knowledge and skills these students possess. Specifically, many institutions provide students with the opportunity to get college credits for their prior learning experiences. These credits enable students to reduce both the cost of earning their degree and the time it takes to earn it. 

People who have been considering enrolling in an online degree program can benefit from exploring how they can get college credit for prior learning experiences and how this can help them earn their degree. 

What Does It Mean to Earn Credit for Prior Learning?

Think of credit for prior learning as a recognition of the fact that students bring all the knowledge and skills they’ve gained from their previous life experiences with them when they come to college. In other words, learning can occur outside of traditional classrooms and academic settings, and that type of learning has value. Higher education institutions recognize that value by awarding students credit for it. 

College credits can be awarded for an array of learning experiences, such as: 

• Participating in military training 
• Completing law enforcement training 
• Performing certain types of work 
• Earning professional certifications 
• Doing volunteer work 

Benefits of Credit for Prior Learning

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) reports that students who earn credits for their prior learning can: 

• Reduce the time it takes to earn a degree. On average, adult students who have 12 or more credits from prior learning can reduce the time it takes to earn their degree by nine to 14 months. 
• Spend less to earn a degree. Adult students who have earned credits from prior learning have saved from $1,500 to $10,200 in tuition costs. 
• Improve the odds of completing a degree program.

In addition, a 2024 joint report by the American Council on Education and CAEL noted that awarding students credits for their prior learning can increase both their employment rate and their salary level. 

What Are the Types of Prior Learning Credits?

Different higher education institutions offer different ways for students to receive prior learning credits. For example, depending on the institution, students may be able to: 

• Pass exams. Students can participate in a variety of credit-by-exam programs to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject and become eligible to earn prior learning credits. 
• Provide evidence of military experience and training. Students can provide evidence of their military experience and training in areas such as communication or health perspectives to earn prior learning credits. 
• Provide evidence of licenses. Having a professional license in an area such as real estate or insurance can position students to earn prior learning credits. 
• Provide evidence of certifications. If students hold a certification such as a professional secretary certification or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, for example, they can earn prior learning credits. 
• Provide a portfolio of their work and experience. Based on a review of their portfolio, students can be awarded prior learning credits. 

How Can I Get Credit for Prior Training and Experience at SEMO?

Universities have varying policies on awarding prior learning credits. Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) offers students who are learning online or in person a variety of approaches to prior learning assessment that can enable them to earn prior learning credits. Those approaches are outlined below. 

SEMO Credit-by-Exam Programs

SEMO participates in credit-by-exam programs such as: 

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams 
• Advanced Placement (AP) exams  
• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) exams 

In addition, SEMO offers opportunities to take exams related to International Baccalaureate Organization credits, and students also can take departmental exams to earn prior learning credits. 

SEMO Prior Learning Credits for Military Experience

SEMO awards prior learning credits to students for their military training and experience based on recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE). In addition, SEMO students can earn prior learning credits for specific military training and experience such as basic naval training or having achieved an E-5 military rank. 

SEMO Prior Learning Credits for Licensure

Holding a specific license can enable students to receive prior learning credits at SEMO. For example, students can earn prior learning credits for holding a pilot’s license, real estate license or insurance license. 

SEMO Prior Learning Credits for Certifications

Students at SEMO also can earn prior learning credits if they hold a specific certification. For instance, holding a child development associate (CDA), certified professional secretary (CPS) or OSHA certification can position students to earn prior learning credits. 

SEMO Prior Learning Credits for Other Experience

SEMO students can receive prior learning credits for experiences such as: 

• Completion of a training program at a law enforcement academy 
• Completion of training in corrections 
• Experience in technology management

Examples of SEMO Prior Learning Credits in Action

In taking advantage of SEMO’s approaches to awarding prior learning credits, students can: 

• Fulfill general education requirements. For example, passing an exam through a credit-by-exam program in a subject such as history, a foreign language or government could enable a student to meet part of the general education requirements to earn a SEMO bachelor’s degree in a wide range of disciplines. 
• Fulfill course requirements for specific types of degrees. For example: 
  • Holding Microsoft Office specialist (MOS) certification could enable a SEMO student to earn college credit for an Introduction to Computer Applications course that the student could use toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management degree. INDENT
  • Holding an insurance license could enable a SEMO student to earn college credit for a Principles of Insurance course that the student could use toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a Finance concentration. INDENT
  • Holding an OSHA certification could enable a SEMO student to earn college credit for an Industrial Safety Supervision course that the student could use toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management degree. INDENT

Prior Learning Credits Acknowledge the Expertise That Students Already Have

In pursuing prior learning credits, students have the opportunity to capitalize on their learning experiences outside of traditional education. This both expedites earning their degree and lowers the cost of it. 

If you are interested in earning a degree online, explore SEMO Online’s degree programs to learn how enrolling in one of our programs can help you achieve your goals. Offering the flexibility of online learning and the potential to earn prior learning credits, our programs are designed to help you set the stage to enhance your education and progress along your career path. If you prefer in-person learning, SEMO also offers an extensive range of on-campus programs.  

Start working toward reaching your educational and career goals with SEMO today.