This document discusses how adults can earn a college degree through credit for self-directed learning and work experiences. It outlines several ways to earn college credit, such as through standardized exams, military training evaluations, online courses, and prior learning assessments. It also provides information on accreditation and resources adults can use to earn credit and complete their degree in a cost-effective manner. The goal is to help adults optimize their career opportunities and earnings potential through obtaining a college degree.

1. A College Degree: Closer Than You Think
How to Earn College Credit for Self-directed and Workplace Learning
Jack M. Kenner
Senior Partner
Adult Continuing Education & Career Advancement Resource Network
Phone: 443-364-9134
jackkenner@acecarnetwork.org

2. You Will Learn:
 Why A College Degree: What’s In It For Me?
 About the many ways you can earn college credit
 To use flexible credit recognition opportunities to help you
more quickly complete a degree
 How to use your earned credit to help you get a legitimate, accredited
academic degree
 What is Regional and National Accreditation?
 About resources and tools that will help you take next steps to completing
your degree in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

3. A College Degree: What’s In It For Me?
 College graduates earn an
average of 98% more income
 Those with an advanced
degree earn 177% more, and
the gap is widening
 Optimizes your employability
value
 Increases your career
advancement opportunities
 “Completes” YOU
Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

4. Ways to Earn College Credit
 Self-directed and Workplace Learning
 Credit By Examination
 Lifelong or Experiential Learning
 Military
 Colleges and Universities
 Course articulation agreements

5. Ways to Earn College Credit
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Credit-by-exam Evaluation Portfolio College-
Assessment Sponsored
College/Department Licenses
Challenge Exams Military Training Internship
Business Training Field wok
Nationwide Exams Professional Training Co-op
ACE College Credit Practicum
Recommendation
Svc

6. American Council on Education
The American Council on Education's
College Credit Recommendation Service
(CREDIT) connects self-directed and
workplace learning with colleges and
universities by helping adults gain access to
academic credit for formal courses and
examinations taken outside the traditional
classroom.

7. American Council on Education’s
College Credit Recommendation Service
The ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce
Training contains ACE credit recommendations for formal
courses or examinations offered by various organizations, from
businesses and unions to the government and military.
The ACE CREDIT College and University Network are
institutions that use ACE college credit recommendations for
courses, apprenticeship programs, and examinations.

8. StraighterLine
( ACE CREDIT Approved Courses)
Example ACE Courses ACE Credit Recommendations
 3 SH LD
 Accounting I (ACC101)  3 SH LD
 Accounting II (ACC102)  3 SH LD
 Business Statistics (MAT150)  3 SH LD
 College Algebra (MAT101)  3 SH LD
 Economics I: Macroeconomics  3 SH LD
(ECON101)  3 SH LD
 Economics II: Microeconomics  3 SH LD
(ECON102)  3 SH LD
 English Composition I (ENG101)  3 SH LD
 English Composition II (ENG102)
 Pre-Calculus (MAT201)

9. ACE Military Evaluations
 Evaluates formal training
 Recommends college credit
 Endorses and supports Military Transcript
services
 Publishes ACE Military Guide
http://www.militaryguides.acenet.edu
Examples
 Navy: Basic Electronics Rate Training
 Marine Corps: Engineer Equipment Chief

10. Types of Colleges and
Universities
 Two- and four-year
accredited institutions
 Adult-centered institutions
 Distance learning
 External degrees
 Weekend colleges

11. Generally Accepted Accreditation Principles
(GAAP) Criteria
 For schools based in the U.S.:
accreditation by an accrediting agency
recognized either by the U.S. Dept of
Education (www.ed.gov) and/or by the
Council on Higher Education
Accreditation (www.CHEA.ORG)
 http://www.chea.org/heta
The agencies that recognize accrediting agencies.

12. Credit by Examination
 Nationally Standardized Examinations
 Offered for a variety of subjects
 Minimum scores can result in 3-6 credits
 Saves the adult learner time and money
 Saves the agency money
 Course or Department Challenge Exams
 Take the final examination in lieu of the course
 Saves the adult learner time and money
 Saves the agency money

13. Some Widely Recognized Exams
 College-Level Examination Program
(CLEP) http://www.collegeboard.org
 Chauncey Group International - DSST
http://www.getcollegecredit.com
 Excelsior College Examinations
http://www.excelsior.edu

14. Questions? Advice? Contact …
Jack M. Kenner, Senior Partner
ACECAR Network
4920 Water Grove Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21043
jackkenner@acecarnetwork.org
1-443-364-9134