This document discusses non-traditional education paths through Excelsior College that allow students to earn college credit for work experience and training. It provides examples of how credits can be awarded for experiences in fields like nuclear power, IT certifications, military training, nursing, and business certifications in areas like human resources. Students have flexible options to combine work experience, exams, and portfolio assessments with their degree to help advance their career.

1. Earning Credit for Your
Work Experience: The Non-
Traditional Education Path
Samantha Henrikson
Excelsior College
7 Columbia Circle
Albany NY 12203

2. Non-traditional education benefits
Same rigor as traditional classroom
Flexible to family and work obligations
College Credit awarded for on job training
Ability to test out for additional college
credits
Generous Transfer Policy
Combine work experience with the degree
to advance/change your career

3. How Does It Work?
Faculty evaluation for college credit
Prior Learning Assessment
American Counsel of Education (ACE)

4. Example: Nuclear Power Industry

5. Degree Path Training

6. Other Examples
SANS- Credit
Awarded for Training
in this Field
Credit award toward a
degree in IT
Certifications (I.E.
Microsoft, COMP TIA,
etc)
GE Wind Technician
Credit awarded for
their on the job
training that can be
applied to the
Bachelor of Tech
Management with a
Renewable Area of
Focus

7. Business Credits Awarded
Professional in Human
Resources Certification (PHR)
= 6 credits towards BS in
Business w/ HR
Concentration
Senior Professional in Human
Resources Certification
(SPHR)= 6 credits towards
MBA
The majority of people who
work in HR obtain these
certifications over time.

8. Business Credits Awarded
People who work in insurance are often required
to take exams/certifications
School of Business accepts credit for exams (ACE
evaluated) taken through The Institutes.

9. Additional Examples
Credit Award for Military Training Through
the College of the American Soldier
Criminal Justice Training Academies can
be evaluated for academic credit
Nursing Students can test out of certain
credits towards their degrees

10. General College Wide Poilcy
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio
Excelsior College offers enrolled and future students
the option to pursue PLA Portfolio through a
partnership with the Council for Adult and
Experiential Learning (CAEL) and
LearningCounts.orgTM
Earn College Credit for What You Already Know
Earn up to 6 credits for each portfolio that the
student completes.

11. Other Ways to Earn Credits
Test Out of Course Work for Arts and
Science Requirements through CLEP,
DANTES, Uexcel Exams.
Transfer in any college credits with no time
limits (in most cases) with a grade of C or
better
Extra-Institutional Learning

12. Take Away
Many different
paths to earn
credits towards a
degree.
Easier to finally
earn the degree that
can lead to more
success in your
career.

13. Web Links for More Information
http://clep.collegeboard.org/
http://www.dantes.doded.mil/Programs/Ex
ams_CLEP.html
http://www.excelsior.edu/prior-learning-
assessment-pla-portfolio
www.excelsior.edu

14. Questions