Maximize your work and life experience through Credit for Prior Learning

Stevenson University Online’s Credit for Prior Learning Program can help you finish your degree faster and more affordably by earning credit for significant work and life experiences, military training, formal and informal education, certificates, or training from non-collegiate institutions, in addition to college credits you may have already earned.

Benefits of the Credit for Prior Learning Program

Save Time

You are able to earn college credit for prior learning applied to your bachelor’s or master’s degree, reducing the time from start to completion of your degree.

  • Use credits to fulfill core, program, and elective requirements
  • Reduce the amount of time required to graduate

Save Money

You can use knowledge gained from professional or prior learning experience as credits towards your bachelor’s or master’s degree by demonstrating what you have learned.

  • Earn up to 30 credits toward degree requirements for undergraduate programs
  • Benefit from significant savings on tuition costs

Stevenson University Online offers several options for assessing and awarding college credit for prior learning. If you have questions about the Credit for Prior Learning options or our prior learning assessment options, contact us at suo-inquiry@stevenson.edu or call 1-877-531-7118.

Credit for Prior Learning Options

Prior Learning Portfolio

A portfolio is a prior learning assessment of the knowledge a student has gained from work and other life experiences outside of the traditional classroom. Using guidelines provided by Stevenson University Online, students create their prior learning portfolios following an academic model. To earn credit for prior learning, students are required to write a narrative and to include documentation supporting the experiential learning presented within the portfolio. The cost is a $195 evaluation fee per course attempted. Contact Stevenson University Online for graduate courses that are eligible for credit via portfolio.

Certificates

Examples of certificates accepted for PLA credit are listed below. Click to review additional information and equivalencies at Stevenson University. Certificates not listed can be submitted for consideration. Contact Stevenson University Online for more information regarding accepted certificates for undergraduate programs.

  • CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner
  • CISSP – Certified Information System Security Professional
  • CSSBB – Six Sigma Black Belt
  • CSSGB – Six Sigma Green Belt
  • GCFE – GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner
  • HRCI PHR – HR Certification Institute Professional in Human Resources
  • Microsoft Office Specialist
  • PMI – Project Management Institute (PMP, PgMP, PfMP, CAPM, PMI_BA, PMI_ACP, PMI_RMP, PMI-SP)

Prior Learning Portfolio

A portfolio is a prior learning assessment of the knowledge a student has gained from work and other life experiences outside of the traditional classroom. Using guidelines provided by Stevenson University Online, students create their prior learning portfolios following an academic model. To earn credit for prior learning, students are required to write a narrative and to include documentation supporting the experiential learning presented within the portfolio. The cost is a $195 evaluation fee per course attempted. Contact Stevenson University Online for undergraduate courses that are eligible for credit via portfolio.

Exams

College-Level Examination Process (CLEP)
CLEP is a nationally standardized credit-by-examination program that offers 33 exams in five subject areas, covering content typically taught in lower-level courses. By passing a CLEP exam, students are eligible to earn credits. The estimated fee starts at $87 per exam.

Click here to review the CLEP equivalences at Stevenson University. For further information, visit CLEP’s website.

Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
DSST is a nationally standardized credit-by-examination program that offers 30 exams as an effective method of providing universities with evidence of prior learning. Adult learners and military veterans are eligible to earn lower and upper-level credits through DSST. The estimated fee starts at $85 per exam. The first attempt on any DSST exam by an active duty, guard, or reserve military member is funded by DANTES and some veterans are eligible to be reimbursed for the exams.

Click here to review the DSST equivalences at Stevenson University. For further information, visit DSST’s website.

Departmental Assessment
Departmental prior learning assessments allow students to earn credits for undergraduate courses by demonstrating they have previously gained the necessary knowledge to complete the courses. These exams may include any or all of the following: a comprehensive exam, project, or research paper. Departmental assessments are administered by the course’s department coordinator or chair. The cost is $195 per Departmental assessment.

American Council on Education (ACE)
ACE provides universities with credit recommendations for students based on military transcripts. In addition, ACE supplies official transcripts to students who successfully complete a course, examination, or certification with an ACE recommendation. The transcript reviews are then conducted by Stevenson academic administrators for final approval.

Visit ACE’s website for more information. Please note that not all ACE-approved credits are guaranteed to transfer to Stevenson. Students are encouraged to contact their assigned Enrollment Counselor or Student Success Coach to determine transferability of ACE credits.

Certificates

Examples of certificates accepted for PLA credit are listed below. Click to review additional information and equivalencies at Stevenson University. Certificates not listed can be submitted for consideration. Contact Stevenson University Online for more information regarding accepted certificates for undergraduate programs.

  • CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner
  • CISSP – Certified Information System Security Professional
  • CSSBB – Six Sigma Black Belt
  • CSSGB – Six Sigma Green Belt
  • GCFE – GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner
  • HRCI PHR – HR Certification Institute Professional in Human Resources
  • Microsoft Office Specialist
  • PMI – Project Management Institute (PMP, PgMP, PfMP, CAPM, PMI_BA, PMI_ACP, PMI_RMP, PMI-SP)