Alternative Ways To Earn College Credits

Attending college is exciting whether as a first-time or returning student. You get the chance to build your knowledge of a subject area you enjoy while setting yourself up for a great career.

But did you know you can earn college credits without taking classes? Alternative ways to earn college credits include CLEP exams, AP courses, and Prior Learning Assessments.

The more credits you earn before enrolling, the sooner you can complete your studies and start your career. If you're not familiar with this option, now's the time to learn how to get college credits without taking classes.

How To Earn College Credits Without Traditional Classes

Students have numerous options for earning credits without taking college classes. Whether you're a high school student who has yet to graduate or a professional with years of work experience under your belt, there are many ways to get an academic head start.

Credit-By-Exam Options: CLEP and DSST

Credit-by-exam enables students to test out of college courses by showing they already understand the coursework. Two credit-by-exam options are CLEP and DSST tests.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), delivered by College Board, is designed for students who want to earn college credits for knowledge they already have. Students have access to 34 exams covering college-level course concepts. Topics include:

• American government
• English literature
• college composition
• biology
• college algebra
• calculus
• financial accounting
• information systems
• Spanish with writing
• French language

Each CLEP exam costs $93 plus the test center's administration fee. Students can earn three or more credits per exam. Around 2,900 colleges accept CLEP credits.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Military members can earn college credit for knowledge gained outside the traditional classroom through DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). More than 30 tests are available. Subjects include:

• personal finance
• money and banking
• human resource management
• principles of public speaking
• fundamentals of college algebra
• astronomy
• criminal justice
• technical writing
• fundamentals of counseling

Credits earned through DSST exams can be applied toward a college degree. They can also help students save tuition assistance (TA) funds.

AP Courses and Dual Enrollment

The AP Program delivers college-level courses and tests students can take in high school. After completing AP classes and taking their final AP test, students' scores are used to help them earn college credits or advanced placement. Dozens of AP exams and courses are available in:

• English
• arts
• history and social sciences
• math and computer science
• world languages and cultures
• sciences

Dual enrollment programs are partnerships between high schools and institutions of higher education in which learners take college courses and earn credits. While most dual enrollment programs differ, they commonly require that classes meet similar standards as traditional college courses.

Professional and Life Experience

Some colleges and universities grant college students credit for professional or life experience. Liberty University offers up to 30 Experience Plus credit hours for students with on-the-job training, work-related experience, or nationally recognized professional credentials. These hours are granted as transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree.

Southern New Hampshire University offers credit for prior learning (CPL). Learners can earn credits from more than 600 experiences, including courses, exams, and professional certifications.

Military Training

At Arizona State University, students can transfer military credits gained in the armed services and apply them toward their total credits for degree completion. The university also reviews the Joint Services Transcript (JST) for potential transfer credit.

Missouri State University also offers college credits for military service. Credits are earned based on recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE). Students can receive up to 30 credit hours with no more than six granted to any one discipline.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a phrase describing the many ways students earn college credit for prior experiences. College-by-examination, ACE Guides, the evaluation of local training, and portfolio-based assessments all count as PLAs.

The University of Phoenix lets students complete a Prior Learning Assessment that outlines all prior experiences. Learners can share their training and certifications. Life experiences like parenting, yoga, and interviewing might also qualify for credits.

FAQs About Alternative Ways To Earn College Credits

Are you interested in learning more about alternative ways to earn college credits? Review these frequently asked questions.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get 60 College Credits?

There's no specific route to 60 college credits that is the fastest. You can use a combination of credit-by-exam and prior learning options depending on your background. For instance, if you're a high school student, AP courses might work best. An adult learner might use a Prior Learning Assessment, transfer credits, and internships.

Can You Skip Courses in College?

Students can skip courses via credit-by-exam options like AP, CLEP, DSST, and the Thomas Edison Credit-by-Examination Program (TECEP), which lets adult learners earn credits for life experiences. Some schools allow students to challenge courses by taking equivalency tests. If they pass, they'll receive course credits without taking the courses.

Do You Have To Pass a Class To Get Credits?

Depending on your school and academic program, you might be required to pass your classes to earn credits. If you don't pass, you could be required to retake the courses. Also, your GPA will likely be negatively impacted.

How Do You Earn College Credits in High School?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 73% of high schools offer at least one type of advanced coursework for college credit. Common options include AP courses and dual enrollment.

Students can also consider the International Baccalaureate (IB). Through IB programs, students ages 16 to 19 with high enough IB exam scores earn college credits.

How Long Do College Credits Last?

College credits generally do not expire. Once you've earned them, they won't be removed from your transcript. However, schools aren't required to accept them as transfer credits if you've been out of school for a while or the credits don't align with their transfer policy.

How Do Transfer Credits Work?

Many schools allow students to transfer credits earned at another institution and use them toward their degree. However, the credit transfer process is not always predictable. A good rule of thumb is to contact the admissions office at the school you want to attend to discover the number of credits they will accept from your previous institution.