How To Earn an Accredited Life-Experience Degree
This page provides information on how and where to earn an accredited life experience degree online with your professional accomplishments and personal achievements.
An accredited life experience degree is offered through an accredited college or university that accepts life experiences for credits toward earning your degree.
If you are interested in earning an accredited life experience degree, there are steps you can take to meet your educational goals.
Gain life experiences through professional and community work or personal achievements. Then, find an accredited educational institution to use your life experiences for college credit.
See more information on the steps to earning an accredited life experience degree below.
Steps to Earning an Accredited Life Experience Degree Online
Use the steps below to earn an accredited life experience degree.
Discover Accredited Online Programs
Find the program that works best for you and apply today.
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Step 1. Gain Life Experiences
Gaining life experience is the first step toward earning an accredited life experience degree. Many accomplishments and personal achievements may be accepted for college credit.
Pursue professional credentials that support your career goals. The training you receive from the military or to earn a certification or license may be approved by a college for credit toward your degree.
You can also gain life experience credit for proven experiences in ministry, parenting, communication in management, community work, and more.
Step 2. Find An Online Accredited College or University
There are many regionally and nationally accredited online educational institutions that accept life experiences for college credit toward earning your degree.
You can explore accredited colleges and universities in your state by using the college navigator tool on the National Center for Education Statistics website. See a few examples of accredited institutions below:
Hyles-Anderson College
You may be able to earn up to half of the college credits you need to earn your degree with life experience credit at Hyles-Anderson College.
Several experiences are accepted such as certifications, ministry experience, and military service.
Purdue Global
Consider submitting an experiential learning portfolio or passing an assessment of skills and knowledge exam at Purdue Global if you want to pursue an accredited life experience undergraduate degree.
Life experiences such as on-the-job training and volunteering may be approved for college credit.
Southern New Hampshire University
You may receive credit for prior learning at Southern New Hampshire University. Certifications, military service, and testing programs are some of the experiences accepted at SNHU for college credit.
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix offers college credit towards obtaining your degree for professional credentials and life experiences.
Examples of life experiences that may qualify for credit for include:
- interviewing
- family relations
- bible literature
- working women and family
Step 3. Use Your Life Experiences for College Credit
There are several ways to use your life experiences for college credit. The way you use your life experiences for college credit depends on the accredited college.
Some online colleges provide a competency based education format for degree seekers who can demonstrate knowledge and skills that meet course requirements.
Other ways to use your life experiences for college credit include submitting an experiential portfolio, testing scores, certifications, and more with your application.
Paying For An Accredited Life Experience Degree
There are many ways to pay for an accredited life experience degree. For example, you can still use transfer credits from an accredited institution to meet course requirements and save money for your degree.
Explore grant and scholarship opportunities by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and other applications offered internally through your accredited college or through private organizations.
Other ways to pay for an accredited life experience degree include a tuition reimbursement program, tuition waiver, or other form of financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions On Accredited Life Experience Degrees
The FAQs below may answer many of your questions regarding an accredited life experience degree.
What Is An Accredited Life Experience Degree?
An accredited life experience degree is any degree earned from an accredited institution that accepts your life experiences for college credit.
Many colleges allow you to use life experiences to cover up to half of the credits you need to earn your degree.
Can You Earn An Accredited Life Experience Degree Online?
Yes, you can earn an accredited life experience degree online.
There are many accredited colleges and universities that offer accredited degree programs online and accept life experiences for college credit toward earning your degree.
Do Accredited Life Experience Degrees Cost Less Than Traditional Degrees?
Yes, accredited life experience degrees will cost less than traditional degrees.
Because accredited life experience degrees use life experiences to meet credit course requirements, your degree will ultimately cost less than the original cost and you can also earn your degree faster.
How Will I know If My Life Experience Will Be Accepted?
The most common forms of accepted life experiences include military service, on-the-job training, and certifications and licenses earned.
Still, you should contact the accredited institution you are interested in to consult what is considered approved life experiences.
Earn An Accredited Life Experience Degree
Obtain certifications and licenses, volunteer for community work, complete on-the-job training, or pursue other life experiences and find an accredited college or university to earn an accredited life experience degree online.
