Colleges are granting academic credit for life experiences to attract students and fill open seats.
Transforming Military and Work Experience into Academic Credit: A Growing Trend in Higher Education
A significant shift is taking place in the realm of higher education, as institutions are increasingly recognising and rewarding the skills and knowledge gained through military and work experience. The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh is leading this change by implementing policies to award academic credit for prior learning.
This initiative, known as credit for prior learning (CPL), offers numerous benefits to students. By acknowledging the knowledge students have already acquired, CCAC is helping them complete degrees faster, reducing the time and cost required to complete degree programs. This accelerated degree completion not only saves students money but also provides a flexible pathway toward higher education credentials, particularly for veterans and working adults.
One of the key advantages of CPL is the cost savings it offers. Students avoid the need to retake courses covering material they have already mastered, thereby saving thousands of dollars in tuition fees. For instance, Thomas Edison offers up to 30 credits towards associate degrees for police academy graduates, and carpenters who have completed apprenticeships can receive up to 74 credits at Thomas Edison in subjects like math, management, and safety training.
CPL also increases access and flexibility, making higher education more attainable for a wider range of individuals. This is particularly important in light of the fact that 15% of undergraduates enrolled in higher education full time and 40% enrolled part time are 25 or older.
While specific details about CCAC’s CPL initiatives for military and work experience in 2025 are not yet available, such policies are part of broader efforts by community colleges to provide credit for military training and professional certifications. This supports workforce development and student success, aligning with common outcomes of CPL programs at community colleges.
However, it's worth noting that many institutions limit the number of credits a student can receive through CPL. Despite this, the likelihood that students who get credit for prior learning will graduate is 17% higher, and they save between $1,500 and $10,200 apiece and nearly seven months off the time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree.
This trend towards recognising and valuing prior learning experiences is not limited to CCAC. The University of North Carolina System, for example, has launched its Military Equivalency System, allowing active-duty and former military service members to find out instantly if their training could be used for academic credit. Similarly, the University of Memphis collaborates with FedEx to provide academic credit for supervisory training, helping employees move up in the company.
California's community colleges are also expanding their CPL programs to increase the proportion of the population with educations beyond high school. This is particularly important in light of falling numbers of 18-year-old high school graduates, as getting at least some of these individuals to come back to college has become essential to higher education institutions.
In conclusion, the trend towards recognising and rewarding prior learning experiences is a significant development in higher education. By accelerating degree completion, reducing costs, and increasing access and flexibility, CPL initiatives are transforming the educational landscape, making higher education more attainable for a wider range of individuals.
- Higher education institutions are increasingly implementing policies known as credit for prior learning (CPL), recognizing and rewarding the skills and knowledge gained through military and work experiences, such as the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh.
- The acknowledgment of prior learning through CPL offers numerous benefits, including reducing the time and costs required to complete degree programs, offering a flexible pathway toward higher education credentials, and providing cost savings by avoiding the need to retake courses covered in prior experiences.
- This trend towards recognizing prior learning experiences is making higher education more accessible and contributing to personal growth, learning, and education-and-self-development, especially for veterans, working adults, and individuals aged 25 or older who comprise a significant portion of the undergraduate student body.
- Innovation in workforce development is being driven by higher education institutions as they invest in CPL programs, aligning with the goals of education, personal growth, and success for both students and the workforce.
