Online Colleges That Offer Credit for Work Experience in New York

If you've built valuable skills through your career, military service, professional training, or industry certifications, you may not have to start your degree from scratch. Many online colleges that accept work experience for college credit evaluate prior learning and may award academic credit for knowledge you've already gained outside the classroom. That can help you save time, reduce tuition costs, and finish your degree sooner.

New York is home to several colleges and universities with strong prior learning assessment (PLA) programs, including schools in the SUNY and CUNY systems. Depending on the institution, you may be able to earn credit through a portfolio review, professional licenses or certifications, military training, standardized exams, or employer-sponsored education.

Do Online Colleges in New York Accept Work Experience for College Credit?

Many online colleges in New York accept work experience for college credit through prior learning assessment programs. Schools may award credit for documented workplace experience, professional certifications, military training and service, apprenticeships, industry training, or portfolios that demonstrate college-level learning. Each institution sets its own policies, so the types of experience accepted and the number of credits available can vary.

New York also has systemwide support for prior learning through both the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) public school systems. Many SUNY campuses now follow shared Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) guidelines, while CUNY has adopted a university-wide CPL policy that helps create more consistent pathways for earning credit across its colleges. Individual campuses still determine how credits apply to specific degree programs, so it's important to review each school's policies before applying. 

Best Online Colleges in New York That Accept Work Experience for College Credit

The schools below all hold institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and offer online bachelor's degree programs. Each school also recognizes prior learning in some form, whether through portfolio assessments, work experience, professional certifications, military training, standardized exams, or other credit for prior learning options that can help eligible students finish a degree more quickly. 

1. Adelphi University

Adelphi University is a private university based in Garden City, New York, with online bachelor's completion programs designed for adult learners and transfer students. Students in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies can earn credit through prior learning, and it’s also one of the colleges in New York with academic forgiveness.

The university allows eligible students to earn up to 60 credits through Credit for Prior Learning. Options include portfolio assessments, professional training approved by ACE or NCCRS, military training, CLEP and DSST exams, and other individualized assessments, helping students apply relevant workplace learning toward their degrees.

2. CUNY School of Professional Studies

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is one of the top online colleges in New York. It’s based in New York City and specializes in flexible online bachelor's completion programs for adult learners, transfer students, and working professionals.

CUNY SPS follows CUNY's university-wide Credit for Prior Learning policy. Eligible students may earn up to 45 prior learning credits through portfolio assessments, standardized exams, military education, professional learning evaluations, ACE- and NCCRS-reviewed training, and other approved learning experiences, depending on their degree program.

3. Empire State University

Empire State University is based in Saratoga Springs, New York, and is known for serving adult learners through flexible online bachelor's degree programs. The university is part of the SUNY system and has one of the state's most comprehensive prior learning assessment programs, recognizing that college-level learning can happen in the workplace and beyond.

Students may earn credit for work experience, professional licenses and certifications, noncredit training, volunteer service, military learning, independent study, and other documented experiences. Empire State's individualized portfolio evaluation process can help eligible students apply a wide range of prior learning toward their degree.

4. Excelsior University

Excelsior University is based in Albany, New York, and has long specialized in online education for working adults. Its flexible degree programs are designed to maximize transfer opportunities and recognize learning gained through employment, military service, and professional development.

Students can receive credit through professional and workplace training, industry certifications, healthcare credentials, military training, educational and vocational programs, and approved college-level exams. Excelsior's broad transfer and prior learning policies can help students apply previously earned knowledge toward completing a bachelor's degree more efficiently.

5. Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State College is a SUNY school based in Farmingdale, New York, and offers a growing selection of online bachelor's degree programs for transfer students and working adults. The college recognizes that learning can happen both inside and outside the classroom, making it a strong option for students looking to apply previous experience toward a degree.

Students may earn credit through employer training, work experience, military service, professional certifications, apprenticeships, portfolio assessments, and standardized exams such as CLEP and DSST. Farmingdale also accepts eligible ACE and NCCRS credit recommendations, giving students several pathways to earn credit for prior learning.

6. Mercy University

Mercy University is based in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and is known for being one of the most flexible online colleges in New York. The university encourages students to build on their previous academic, professional, and workplace experiences to shorten the path to graduation.

Students may receive credit through the Life Achievement Portfolio process, as well as ACE recommendations, military training, professional work experience, and standardized exams. Eligible students can earn up to 30 credits through portfolio assessment, with prior learning potentially applying to general education, major requirements, or elective courses.

7. St. Joseph’s University, New York

St. Joseph's University, New York is based in Brooklyn, New York, with additional campuses and online degree options for adult learners. Its Prior Experiential Learning Assessment (PELA) program is designed specifically for students whose professional or personal experiences have resulted in college-level learning.

Rather than awarding credit simply for years of employment, the university evaluates documented knowledge and skills gained through professional work, military service, volunteer activities, creative pursuits, and other experiences. Eligible students develop a faculty-guided portfolio that demonstrates how their learning aligns with college-level coursework.

8. SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is based in Canton, New York, and offers one of the largest selections of online bachelor's degree programs among SUNY campuses. The college provides multiple pathways for adult learners to earn credit for prior learning, and also has some of the highest acceptance rates among SUNY schools.

Students may earn credit through portfolio assessments, professional licenses and certifications, industry credentials, and other documented prior learning that aligns with course outcomes. SUNY Canton also evaluates eligible workplace training and professional experience when appropriate, allowing qualified students to apply previously acquired skills toward their degree.

9. SUNY Oswego

SUNY Oswego is based in Oswego, New York, and offers several fully online bachelor's completion programs for transfer students and working professionals. The university's Credit for Prior Learning program recognizes that college-level learning can take place through employment, military service, and other experiences outside the traditional classroom.

Students may receive credit through standardized exams, military education, professional certifications, employer training, ACE recommendations, and portfolio assessments. Depending on the type of prior learning, faculty may evaluate documented workplace experience to determine whether it meets the learning outcomes of specific university courses. It’s also one of the most affordable SUNY colleges.

10. SUNY Plattsburgh

SUNY Plattsburgh is based in Plattsburgh, New York, and offers online bachelor's programs designed to help adult learners complete their degrees with greater flexibility, including accelerated online bachelor’s degrees. Its Credit for Prior Learning policy allows students to demonstrate college-level knowledge gained through work, training, and other professional experiences.

Eligible students may earn credit through portfolio reviews, faculty-developed assessments, professional licenses and certifications, military education, employer training, ACE or NCCRS recommendations, and other validated prior learning. Credit can be applied toward major requirements, general education, or electives when it aligns with the student's degree program.

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. For this ranking, we focused on:

• Accreditation: We prioritized colleges and universities accredited by institutional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to help ensure academic quality and credit transferability.
• Online availability: Schools earned higher rankings by offering a wider selection of fully online bachelor's degree programs designed for working adults and transfer students.
• Credit for work experience: We evaluated each school's prior learning options, including portfolio assessments, professional certifications, military training, ACE or NCCRS recommendations, employer training, and documented work experience that can count toward degree requirements.
• Student outcomes: We reviewed graduation rates, student support services, and other publicly available outcomes data to identify schools that help students make meaningful progress toward earning a degree.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

What Types of Work Experience Can Count for College Credit?

New York colleges award credit for college-level learning gained through experience, not simply for holding a job for a certain number of years. Your experience generally must match the learning outcomes of a course or degree requirement and be supported with clear documentation.

Qualifying experience may include:

• Professional employment: Work in business, healthcare, education, technology, public service, or another field may qualify when your responsibilities align with college coursework.
• Employer-sponsored training: Corporate courses, leadership programs, workshops, apprenticeships, and continuing education may be eligible for review.
• Professional licenses and certifications: Credentials in areas such as information technology, healthcare, public safety, project management, or skilled trades may lead to academic credit.
• Military service and training: Colleges may review military occupations, service schools, language training, and other experience documented on official military transcripts.
• Volunteer and community service: Leadership roles, nonprofit work, community programs, and other service may qualify when they demonstrate college-level learning.
• Independent learning: Research, professional projects, seminars, noncredit courses, and structured self-study may be considered.
• Creative or technical experience: Some schools evaluate professional learning in fields such as media, design, theater, music, computer science, and business.

SUNY and CUNY campuses follow systemwide Credit for Prior Learning policies, but individual colleges and academic departments decide which experiences qualify and how credits apply.

How To Turn Work Experience Into College Credit

The process to get college credit for work experience usually starts with an academic advisor or prior learning specialist who reviews your background and identifies possible credit options. Depending on the college, you may need to complete a portfolio, submit professional credentials, or take an exam.

1. Choose a college with a CPL or PLA policy. Compare eligible degree programs, credit limits, assessment methods, and possible fees.
2. Meet with an advisor. An advisor can help identify courses that may match your professional knowledge and explain which documentation you need.
3. Collect supporting evidence. Useful records may include job descriptions, employer letters, licenses, certifications, training records, military transcripts, performance reviews, and work samples.
4. Complete the required assessment. You may need to prepare a portfolio, pass a challenge exam, submit an ACE or NCCRS transcript, or request an evaluation of professional training.
5. Submit your materials for faculty review. Faculty members compare your documented learning with course outcomes and decide whether to award credit.
6. Confirm how the credit applies. Approved credit may satisfy major requirements, general education, electives, or another part of your degree plan.

Start the process early, preferably before or soon after enrolling. This can help you understand how many courses remain and develop a more accurate estimate of your program length and costs.

Benefits of Earning Credit for Work Experience

Credit for prior learning can help adult students receive formal recognition for knowledge they already use in their careers. The value depends on how many credits the college awards and where those credits fit into the degree.

Potential benefits include:

• Faster degree completion: Prior learning credit may reduce the number of courses needed to graduate.
• Lower college costs: Students may avoid paying full tuition for courses that cover familiar material, although portfolio reviews and exams can carry fees.
• Recognition of professional skills: CPL and PLA programs turn workplace learning, training, certifications, and military experience into documented academic credit.
• A more focused degree plan: Students can spend more time developing new skills rather than repeating subjects they already understand.
• Greater flexibility: A smaller remaining course load may make college easier to balance with employment and family responsibilities.
• Transfer support within public systems: CPL awarded at one CUNY college may transfer within the CUNY system when applicable, while SUNY policies support consistent evaluation and transfer pathways across participating campuses.

Credit that fulfills major or general education requirements may be more valuable than credit that only counts as an elective. Ask for a full degree evaluation before committing to a program whenever possible.

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

Earning college credit for work experience can help many adult learners finish a degree more quickly, but policies vary by institution and program. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about online colleges that accept work experience for college credit in New York.

Can You Get College Credit for Work Experience in New York?

Many colleges and universities in New York award credit for prior learning through portfolio assessments, professional certifications, military training, standardized exams, or evaluations of employer-sponsored training. Schools within the SUNY and CUNY systems have Credit for Prior Learning policies, although the amount and type of credit available varies by campus and degree program.

How Many Credits Can You Earn for Work Experience?

The number of credits depends on the college and your program. Some New York schools allow students to apply dozens of prior learning credits toward a bachelor's degree, while others set lower limits or only award credit in specific subject areas.

Does Work Experience Count the Same as Transfer Credit?

Credit for Prior Learning is often recorded as transfer or nontraditional credit on your transcript, although it does not affect your GPA. Each college determines how those credits apply toward general education, major requirements, or electives.

Do All Online Colleges in New York Offer Credit for Work Experience?

While many schools recognize prior learning, the policies and evaluation methods differ. Some colleges offer portfolio assessments, while others focus primarily on professional certifications, military experience, or standardized exams, so it's important to review each school's requirements before applying.

Is Earning College Credit for Work Experience Worth It?

If your experience matches college-level learning outcomes, earning prior learning credit can reduce the number of courses you need to complete, helping you save both time and tuition while finishing your degree sooner.

Explore Online Degree Programs

Find colleges in New York 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.