At Purdue Global, we want to help you succeed in your courses, earn the degree you want, and achieve your career goals. As part of that, we launched the Alternative Credit Center to help save you time and tuition on topics you’ve already mastered.
“The Alternative Credit Center aims to serve students by addressing their past, current, and future opportunities,” says Michele Riley, associate dean for programs and alternative credit at Purdue Global. “We work with students to capture prior learning experiences and help them translate them into college credit, provide opening learning courses and continuing education and training opportunities."
You may be able to receive college credit at Purdue Global with on-the-job training, by passing certain exams, and by earning select certifications. Learn more in this guide.
Corporate Learning, Certifications, and Trainings
Certain coursework, certifications, and on-the-job training may earn you college credit.* These fall under three categories:
1. ACE-Evaluated Corporate and Organizational Learning
Purdue Global awards credit for professional coursework that has been reviewed by the American Council of Education (ACE) or Purdue Global staff using ACE guidelines.
“Examples of such coursework include formal educational exams, programs, and courses offered by organizations for their employees, members, or customers,” says Riley. “These organizations may include business and industry, labor unions, professional and voluntary associations, schools, training suppliers, and government agencies.”
ACE’s Working Transcript includes credit recommendations and competencies that learners have earned. Request an ACE transcript.
2. IT Certifications and Examinations
Dozens of information technology exams and certifications can earn you college credit with Purdue Global. Find a full list here: IT Certifications/Examinations Approved for Transfer, as well as information on how to request transcripts.
3. Fire Service and Law Enforcement Training
- Fire Service Training: If you plan on attending Purdue Global for a fire science degree, you may be able to receive credit for some fire service-related certifications you already hold. Toward that end, Purdue Global has set up articulation agreements with several fire academies and fire service associations. Learn more about fire academy and fire service association articulation agreements.
- National Peace Officer Standard Training: If you are currently a certified U.S. law enforcement officer, your training may qualify you to receive credit in any of our undergraduate programs. Request to speak with an Advisor to learn more.
Assessments of Skills and Knowledge (ASKs)
Purdue Global offers Assessments of Skills and Knowledge (ASKs), assessments of prior learning that allow Purdue Global students to “test out” of an entire course. ASKs can be used to waive prerequisites, determine class placement, and earn college credit.
“The new ASKs are one of the many ways that Purdue Global is providing students alternative pathways to degree attainment,” says Kathy Ingram, assistant dean of curriculum. “Prior learning assessment is important to our adult learners’ success, as it provides a more time-efficient and cost-effective opportunity to achieve a college degree.
“The ASKs offered at Purdue Global provide the flexibility, quality, and variety of choice to meet the university’s mission of delivering ‘personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals.’”
ASKs are available in:
- Accounting
- Childhood Education
- Criminal Justice
- Communication and Composition
- Professional Studies
- Graduate Business
- Health Information
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Legal Studies
- Mathematics
- Management
- Science
External Exams and Assessments
Several exams administered by organizations outside of Purdue Global offer opportunities to earn college credit. These external exams test for skills and knowledge acquired on the job, from life experience, and from military training:
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Advanced Placement Program (AP)
- DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
- Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
- Other eligible standardized exams
Save Time and Money on Your Education With Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers 175+ online programs including associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and certificates. With a focus on busy working adults, we can help you earn college credits via a number of sources, such as work or life experiences, military training, industry certifications and training, and skill/knowledge exams. Learn more at our Alternative Credit Center.
Or, reach out today to learn more.
About the Author
Purdue Global
Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.
