Online Degree Programs Designed for Prior Learning Credit

Why Prior Learning Credit Matters for Adult Learners

Credit for prior learning online programs (sometimes called prior learning assessment or PLA) helps students turn real‑world knowledge into college credit. Instead of spending extra time and money repeating what they already know, students can skip those classes. It means they can finish their degree faster and save money at the same time—two big wins for busy adult learners.

Adult learners are one of the fastest‑growing groups returning to college. Recent data shows double‑digit growth (about 16.7%–19.7%) in non-traditional undergraduate enrollment. At the same time, traditional freshman enrollment declined, signaling that adult learners are increasingly driving overall enrollment trends.

If someone wants to finish a degree faster with prior learning, the key is to find schools that are open to giving credit for prior learning in online programs. These schools are especially good for people balancing jobs, family life, and school.

This article lists some of the top providers of online degree programs for prior learning credit.

Related:

Schools Known for Adult-Friendly Policies (WGU, SNHU, Charter Oak, UMGC)

Western Governors University (WGU)

Western Governors University, or WGU, is one of the leaders in online universities that accept work experience.

WGU is known for its competency-based degree programs. That means students don’t move through the program by spending time in class. Instead, they move forward by showing what they know.

WGU is fully online, and adult learners can use their existing experience, work knowledge, or professional certifications to speed up their degree path. For example, if someone already knows networking or business basics from years on the job, they could test out of those parts of the program instead of sitting through the class again.

This model fits well with the needs of working adults and military students because it doesn’t force them into a traditional semester schedule. Instead, they set the pace based on their own expertise.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Southern New Hampshire University has one of the most adult-friendly online degree programs in the country. SNHU accepts a large number of prior learning and transfer credits. They accept up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, or about 75% of the total credits needed.

But SNHU doesn’t stop with traditional transfer credits. They are also known to be one of the top colleges that accept PLA credit. The school offers more than 600 ways to earn credit for work experience, professional certifications, licenses, and specialized training.

Students can bring in industry credentials like AWS, CompTIA, Google, Microsoft, Cisco, or Project Management certificates, and SNHU will review them for college credit. Military credits are also accepted, making it a great choice for veterans or active-duty students.

This flexibility makes SNHU ideal for adult learners in business, psychology, IT, healthcare, or other fields that value real‑world experience. With fully online programs and 8‑week terms, students can work on courses whenever it fits their schedule.

Since 2018, SNHU students have saved over $100 million by earning credit for prior learning, cutting both the cost and time needed to complete a degree.

Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is designed for adults who want to turn prior learning into college credit. The college works with students who have experience from work, military training, certifications, or learning from non-traditional programs.

Charter Oak doesn’t rely solely on traditional classes. Instead, it accepts credit from approved non-collegiate course providers like:

CLEP
DSST
Study.com
StraighterLine
AP
Cambridge International

The college reviews these courses and exams to make sure they align with its curriculum before awarding credit. Students can also bring in credit recommended by ACE or NCCRS programs, which helps convert professional training and other structured learning into college credit.

This approach means adult learners can potentially reduce the number of courses they need to graduate, without having to repeat material they already know. Charter Oak is especially helpful for those in business, healthcare, IT, or other fields where prior training and experience matter.

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

UMGC is among the most popular schools with generous transfer credit policies.

They are especially friendly to adult learners and veterans because it makes it easy to turn real-world experience into college credit. Students can earn credit through:

Military transcripts
Professional certifications
Corporate training
Workplace learning

At UMGC, there are a few ways to earn credit. Some students take course challenges, which let them pass an exam instead of sitting through a full class. Others create portfolios that demonstrate what they’ve already learned on the job.

UMGC is known to be one of the best online colleges for adult learners moving into fields like cybersecurity, IT, or business. The flexibility helps students finish their degree faster while making the most of their prior experience.

Other PLA-Friendly Colleges Worth Noting

A few other online colleges are also worth mentioning for adult learners because they have generous transfer policies or good prior learning options:

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is known for flexible adult‑centered programs.
Excelsior University accepts a large amount of transfer credit and uses competency‐based assessments.
Purdue University Global offers transfer and PLA support online.
Liberty University Online provides transfer and experience credit options.
Colorado State University Global supports adult learners with flexible online education.

These schools aren’t as focused on PLA as WGU or Charter Oak. However, they still help adult learners use prior learning to finish degrees faster.

How These Schools Integrate PLA Into Program Design

Transfer Credit Evaluation First, Not Last

One of the smartest moves adult‑friendly schools make is front‑loading transfer credit evaluation. That means students aren’t left wondering later whether their credits will count. Instead, schools review military transcripts, corporate training, and tests like CLEP or DSST before the student starts the program. That way, students know from day one how many credits they need to finish their degree.

This early evaluation prevents wasted time and makes sure students only take the classes they truly need. It’s a big part of how students finish a degree faster with prior learning.

Multiple PLA Pathways Built Into the Curriculum

Adult learners bring all kinds of experience with them to school. That’s why schools that lead in PLA don’t just offer one pathway, they offer many:

Portfolio assessment: students compile documents and proof of their prior learning that match college‑level outcomes.
ACE/NCCRS credit: credits recommended by national organizations for workplace or training programs.
Credit for industry certifications: IT, HR, healthcare, and business credentials can count as college credit.
Course challenges and exams: like CLEP, which lets students test out of courses they already know.

By weaving these options into their programs, schools make PLA a real part of the degree journey, not an add‑on.

Competency-Based Education (CBE) as a PLA Accelerator

Some schools, especially WGU, use competency‑based education as a core part of their model. Instead of moving through classes by time, students move through them by mastering the skills. That means students with experience can move faster, sometimes finishing 12–24 months sooner than in a traditional model.

Stackable Micro-Credentials + PLA Credits

Another trend is stackable micro‑credentials. These are short courses or certificates that stack up and convert into degree credit. These are great for adult students who need quick wins and real skills from the workplace. Many schools let these micro‑credentials count toward a degree, especially when they match certain industry standards.

By combining stackable credentials with PLA, students can upskill for work and make progress toward a degree at the same time.

How PLA Reduces Tuition Costs

When adult learners use credit for prior learning, they need fewer total courses. That means:

Fewer credits to pay for
Fewer semesters of tuition
Reduced student debt

People often find that earning a degree in 12–24 months instead of four years makes a huge financial difference.

Who Benefits Most From Online PLA-Focused Programs

Online degree programs for prior learning credit are life‑changing for many kinds of students:

Working adults who can’t take time off work
Parents returning to school after time away
Military and veterans with training and experience
Career changers with real‑world skills
Students with corporate training or professional certifications

PLA-friendly colleges build on the learning adults already have and put it to use, allowing them to finish their degree on their terms.

Conclusion: Prior Learning Turns Experience Into a Faster, Cheaper Degree

Online degree programs for prior learning credit have become very important and in demand. For adult learners, it turns a lifetime of experience into college credit. That means less time, less cost, and more confidence in finishing a degree.

Adult‑focused colleges like WGU, SNHU, Charter Oak, and UMGC make it easier than ever to take advantage of what you already know. If someone is thinking about going back to school, the first step should be requesting a PLA evaluation before enrolling. That one move could cut months or years off the path to graduation and put learners in charge of their own success.

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