Online Colleges That Offer Credit for Work Experience in California

Many online colleges that offer credit for work experience help students turn professional experience, military training, industry certifications, and other prior learning into college credit. For adult learners, this can reduce the number of courses needed to earn a degree and help them graduate sooner.

Not every college offers the same opportunities, though. Below, you'll find some of the best online colleges in California that recognize prior learning, along with information about how these programs work and what to consider before applying.

Do Online Colleges in California Accept Work Experience for College Credit?

Many online colleges in California accept work experience for college credit through prior learning assessment programs and other approved evaluation methods. Rather than awarding credit simply because a student has held a job, colleges evaluate whether that experience demonstrates college-level knowledge and skills. Depending on the school, students may earn credit through a portfolio, documented employer training, military service, professional certifications, or standardized exams such as CLEP.

Each college sets its own policies for prior learning credit, including the types of experience it accepts and the maximum number of credits students can earn. Before enrolling, it's a good idea to speak with an admissions counselor or academic advisor to learn how prior learning credits apply to your intended degree program and whether they can satisfy major, general education, or elective requirements.

Best Online Colleges in California That Accept Work Experience for College Credit

The schools below all offer online degree programs and documented opportunities for students to earn college credit for prior learning. Unless otherwise noted, each institution is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), ensuring students attend a school that meets recognized standards for academic quality.

1. Antioch University

Although Antioch University is headquartered in Yellow Springs, Ohio, it maintains a campus in Los Angeles and offers a variety of online bachelor's completion and graduate degree programs for adult learners. Because the university is based in Ohio, it is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) rather than WSCUC.

Antioch has one of the most comprehensive prior learning assessment (PLA) programs on this list. Students may earn up to 30 semester credits by demonstrating college-level learning gained through work experience, military service, volunteer activities, professional training, or independent study. The university also offers a portfolio development course to help students document their experience and prepare it for faculty evaluation. Additionally, it’s one of the colleges willing to accept unofficial transcripts.

2. Azusa Pacific University

As one of the best colleges in the Anaheim area, Azusa Pacific University is based in Azusa, California, and offers online bachelor's completion, master's, and doctoral degree programs in areas such as business, education, healthcare, nursing, psychology, and liberal studies. Many programs are designed for working adults seeking flexible scheduling.

Students can earn college credit through Azusa Pacific's Prior Learning Assessment program by documenting knowledge gained through professional experience, military service, volunteer work, ministry, certifications, and other forms of prior learning. The university also recognizes qualifying standardized exams and other approved credit sources, helping eligible students apply existing knowledge toward their degree requirements.

3. Biola University

Biola University is based in La Mirada, California, and offers a growing selection of online bachelor's completion, master's, and certificate programs designed for adult learners. Online students can study subjects including business management, psychology, biblical studies, and organizational leadership while benefiting from flexible course schedules.

Biola's Prior Learning Assessment program allows eligible undergraduate students to earn credit for college-level learning gained through work experience, military training, ministry, volunteer service, and independent learning. Students complete a portfolio development course before submitting documentation for faculty review, and the university also accepts qualifying ACE recommendations, CLEP, AP, IB, and challenge exams.

4. California Baptist University

Known as one of the best online Christian colleges, California Baptist University is located in Riverside, California, and offers more than 100 online degree and certificate programs across fields such as business, criminal justice, healthcare, information technology, psychology, and public administration. Many programs are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.

The university recognizes prior learning through several pathways, including portfolio assessments, military training, professional certifications, and standardized examinations. Students work with university advisors to determine which forms of prior learning may apply to their degree program, helping eligible learners build on knowledge they've already gained in the workplace.

5. Humphreys University

Based in Stockton, California, Humphreys University is one of the best colleges in California and offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and professional degree programs in areas such as business, legal studies, education, and human services. Its flexible online format is designed to serve adult learners balancing school with work and family responsibilities.

Humphreys has a dedicated experiential learning policy that allows undergraduate students to earn up to 12 quarter units for documented learning gained through work experience, volunteer service, military training, professional development, certification programs, and other nontraditional learning experiences. Faculty review each request individually to determine whether the experience demonstrates college-level learning that applies to the student's degree.

6. National University

National University is headquartered in San Diego and offers one of the largest selections of fully online degree programs in the state. Students can choose from associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in fields including business, education, healthcare, psychology, engineering, and information technology.

The university's Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program helps students earn credit for college-level knowledge gained through work experience, military service, professional training, industry certifications, and standardized examinations. National also offers portfolio assessment opportunities, allowing eligible students to demonstrate learning acquired outside the traditional classroom and potentially shorten the time needed to complete a degree.

7. Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College is based in Pasadena, California, and offers online bachelor's completion, master's, and doctoral programs with a focus on education, human development, business, and social sciences. Many of its online programs are designed for adult learners who want to build on previous college coursework and professional experience.

Through its Credit for Learning from Experience (CLE) program, eligible bachelor's students can earn up to 24 semester credits by documenting college-level learning gained through work and life experience. Students complete a portfolio development process before faculty evaluate their work, and the college also accepts qualifying military training, ACE-recommended professional training, CLEP, DSST, AP, and IB credits.

8. Touro University Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide is headquartered in Los Alamitos, California, and offers fully online bachelor's completion, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in business, education, health sciences, human services, and psychology. The university focuses on flexible learning options for working adults and military-affiliated students.

Students may receive credit for prior learning through several pathways, including portfolio assessment, military training, professional certifications, ACE-recommended learning, and standardized examinations. Touro's prior learning options allow eligible students to apply documented workplace knowledge and other qualifying experiences toward their degree while maintaining the university's academic standards.

9. University of La Verne

One of the top schools in the Los Angeles area, University of La Verne, is based in La Verne, California, and offers a variety of online bachelor's completion, master's, and doctoral programs in areas such as business, public administration, education, and organizational leadership. Many of its online programs are designed for transfer students and working adults seeking flexible pathways to a degree.

The university accepts several forms of prior learning that can help students earn college credit before enrolling in additional courses. Eligible students may receive credit for military experience, ACE- or PONSI-approved corporate training, challenge exams, CLEP and DSST exams, and other documented learning experiences that meet university requirements. Advisors review each student's prior learning to determine how it applies to their degree plan.

10. University of Massachusetts Global

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Global is headquartered in Irvine, California, and offers fully online bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs across disciplines including business, education, healthcare, information technology, psychology, and public administration. The university was created to serve adult learners and provides multiple start dates throughout the year.

UMass Global has one of the state's most established Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs. Eligible students can earn college credit through portfolio assessments that document college-level learning gained from work experience, military service, volunteer activities, and professional training. The university also accepts qualifying military credit, industry certifications, ACE-recommended learning, and standardized examinations, giving students several ways to apply existing knowledge toward their degree.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because this ranking focuses on online colleges that award credit for prior learning, we gave additional consideration to:

• Accreditation: We prioritize nonprofit colleges and universities accredited by institutional accreditors recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Online availability: We consider the variety of fully online and degree completion programs available, with preference given to schools that offer flexible learning options for working adults.
• Credit for work experience: We look for documented opportunities to earn credit through prior learning assessment, portfolio evaluations, military training, professional certifications, ACE-recommended training, challenge exams, and other recognized forms of experiential learning.
• Student outcomes: We review available data on graduation rates, student support services, and other indicators that reflect a school's commitment to helping students complete their degrees.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

What Types of Work Experience Can Count for College Credit?

Colleges do not award credit simply for the number of years a student has worked. Instead, they evaluate whether the experience helped the student gain knowledge and skills that match the learning outcomes of a college course.

Qualifying experience may include:

• Professional employment: Work in business, healthcare, technology, education, public service, or another field may qualify when job duties align with a specific course.
• Military training: Colleges may award credit for military occupations, courses, and training documented on an official military transcript.
• Industry certifications: Credentials in areas such as information technology, project management, human resources, healthcare, or skilled trades may qualify for credit.
• Employer training: Formal workplace courses, management programs, and corporate training may count, especially when evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).
• Apprenticeships and vocational training: Documented hands-on training may apply toward technical, career-focused, or elective requirements.
• Volunteer and community service: Leadership, nonprofit work, ministry, and other types of service may qualify when students can show college-level learning.
• Independent learning: Some colleges consider knowledge gained through research, professional projects, conferences, or other structured learning outside the classroom.

Policies vary, and some colleges limit prior learning credit to electives or approved courses. Students should ask how their credits would apply before committing to a program.

How To Turn Work Experience Into College Credit

The process to get college credit for work experience usually begins with a review by an admissions counselor, academic advisor, or prior learning specialist. Students may need to complete several steps before the college decides whether to award credit.

1. Choose a college with a prior learning policy. Review the school's rules, credit limits, fees, and eligible degree programs.
2. Discuss your experience with an advisor. An advisor can identify courses that may match your professional knowledge and help you avoid submitting experience that is unlikely to qualify.
3. Gather supporting documents. Useful records may include job descriptions, employer letters, performance reviews, licenses, certificates, military transcripts, training records, and examples of completed work.
4. Complete the required evaluation. Depending on the college, this may involve building a portfolio, taking a challenge exam, submitting an ACE transcript, or providing proof of a professional certification.
5. Wait for faculty review. A faculty member or academic department typically compares the student's evidence with the learning outcomes of a college course.
6. Review how the credits apply. Approved credits may count toward the major, general education, electives, or an internship requirement, depending on the institution.

Students should complete this process early in their program. Knowing how many credits apply can make it easier to estimate the remaining time and cost of the degree.

Benefits of Earning Credit for Work Experience

Earning credit for prior learning can help students avoid repeating material they already understand. Depending on the college's policies and degree requirements, these credits may reduce the number of courses needed to graduate.

Potential benefits include:

• A shorter path to graduation: Applying previous learning toward a degree can reduce the number of remaining credits.
• Lower overall college costs: Students may pay less in tuition when prior learning replaces required courses, although portfolio reviews and exams may carry fees.
• More efficient degree planning: Students can focus on new subjects instead of retaking content they already use in their careers.
• Recognition of professional knowledge: Prior learning assessment gives students a formal way to document skills gained through employment, military service, training, and certifications.
• Greater flexibility for working adults: Fewer required courses can make it easier to balance college with work and family responsibilities.

The value of prior learning credit depends on where it applies. Credit that satisfies major or general education requirements may be more useful than credit that only counts as an elective.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges That Offer Credit for Work Experience in California

Earning college credit for prior learning can help students finish a degree more efficiently, but each school has its own policies and requirements. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about online colleges that offer credit for work experience in California.

Can you get college credit for work experience in California?

Many California colleges offer Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs that allow students to earn credit for college-level knowledge gained through work experience, military service, professional training, industry certifications, and other documented learning. Students typically must demonstrate that their experience meets the learning outcomes of a specific college course.

How many college credits can you earn for work experience?

The number of credits varies by college. Some California schools award as few as 12 credits through prior learning assessment, while others allow students to earn 24, 30, or more credits through portfolios, challenge exams, military training, and other approved methods.

Is work experience the same as transfer credit?

Transfer credit is awarded for courses completed at another accredited college or university. Credit for work experience is earned by demonstrating college-level learning through prior learning assessment, portfolios, certifications, military training, or other approved evaluation methods.

Will employers recognize a degree earned with prior learning credit?

As long as the degree comes from an institutionally accredited college or university, employers generally evaluate the completed degree rather than how individual credits were earned. Prior learning credit appears on a transcript according to each college's policies and does not change the degree awarded.

Do all online colleges in California accept work experience for college credit?

Some colleges offer comprehensive portfolio-based prior learning assessment programs, while others only accept military training, ACE-recommended learning, or standardized exams such as CLEP. Before applying, review each school's policies to understand what types of prior learning are accepted and how those credits apply toward your degree.

Explore Online Degree Programs

Find California colleges that accept work experience for credit by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and transfer policies.