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Knowledge gained through work experience may be considered for college credit at CSU through a Prior Learning Assessment.
A qualified subject matter expert evaluates experiential learning to determine whether it meets CSU's standards for academic credit.
Your experience may already count toward your degree.
Returning to college can feel like starting over, especially when you are balancing a career, family responsibilities or military service. But previous work experience and professional training may help you make progress toward a degree.
Many adult learners have ample work experience before they even begin their college courses, but some might not realize that they can leverage relevant work experience for college credit, potentially helping them complete their degrees in less time and at less cost. Awarding credit for prior learning can benefit students, colleges and employers.
In this article, we provide an overview of how to get college credit for work experience, including how Columbia Southern University evaluates prior learning.
How CSU Evaluates Work Experience for College Credit
Here at Columbia Southern University, we use standard guidelines when determining credit. The process focuses on what you have learned through your experience. Submit any requested documentation as early as possible so CSU can evaluate your options.
It’s also important to note that simply having years of experience does not automatically result in credit; CSU evaluates the college-level knowledge you gained through that experience.
For experiential or equivalent learning, a Prior Learning Assessment will be conducted by qualified subject matter experts with experience in evaluating prior learning. The evaluation identifies what may apply to your selected program; it does not guarantee that all prior learning will transfer.
More details, including the maximum number of credit hours allowed for various degree levels, are available in the CSU Transfer Credit Policy.
Additional Ways to Earn College Credit
Many kinds of prior learning may qualify for college credit, and they often fall into these categories. Different schools may have their own ways of handling college credit, so contact your admissions team for more details.
Military Experience
Serving as an active or reserve member of any branch of the military may help you earn college credit. Military credits may depend on how you served, what trainings you completed, what titles you held, and what levels of proficiency you attained during your service.
Certifications, Licenses and Training Programs
If you’re self-motivated, you may have earned professional certifications related to your career, and these certifications may translate into college credit. Also, licenses in fields such as accounting, human resources, or healthcare may also be reviewed when they are relevant to your program. You may be able to leverage these credentials for college credit as well.
Tests
Certain tests, such as the College-Level Examination Program, are another way to qualify for college credits. Before you sign up, ask your school about exams like those offered in the CLEP program and determine whether they’re worth it for you to pay the fees for an exam.
Take the First Step of Returning to School
If you have paused college before, changed careers or built years of experience in the field, you do not need to figure out every credit question on your own before applying. Start by listing every college or training provider you attended, along with licenses, certifications and military records that may be relevant.
When going back to school, ask how the knowledge you’ve gained through work may be evaluated through CSU’s Prior Learning Assessment process. By doing so, you may be able to reduce the amount of time it would ordinarily take to finish a degree program and save on your tuition and overall educational costs.
To get started today and learn more about our transfer credit process here.
NOTE: This article was originally written and published by Matt Rowley in October 2021. It was edited and updated by Jazmin Hill in October 2026.
Disclaimer:
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation and the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.
Need Help Gathering Your Transcripts?
CSU can request transcripts from your previously attended institutions on your behalf. Simply add any previously attended institutions to your application for admission and authorize CSU to request transcripts. We’ll notify you once your official transcripts have been received.
