Work & Life Experience Credits

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Get a head start on your degree program at CTU.
Colorado Technical University offers numerous options for you to apply prior learning toward your CTU coursework. Through the use of our robust prior learning assessments we will help guide you through the process of uncovering these opportunities. By taking advantage of our prior learning options, you can potentially save both time and money as there will be less coursework for you to complete.

What You Need to Know
Whether you’re enrolled in an Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctorate program, you’re eligible to have your prior learning assessed. You’ll be contacted by our Prior Learning Assessment Department who will provide you with all of the options that are available to you. This team will evaluate all official documentation to ensure established Prior Learning Assessment criteria and guidelines for transfer credit are met before granting advanced standing credit.* We will also guide and coach you while exploring your best options.

Additional Ways to Earn Credit
In addition to credit earned at accredited postsecondary institutions, the following options are eligible for evaluation toward academic credit through CTU: 

1. CTU Fast Track^™ exams
2. Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP) - Degree credit for life experience
3. Military Credit for training or Military Occupational Specialty
4. Professional Training/Certification
5. Standardized Assessment

You may consult with a Prior Learning Assessment evaluator to learn more about advanced standing requirements and to seek degree planning assistance at any phase of the student lifecycle. Official transcripts and formal documents are required before evaluation of transfer credit can occur. CTU will provide unofficial evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, however, the evaluation cannot become official until we verify that your documents meet the established transfer credit criteria.

Earning Credit Through Standardized Assessments

You may be able to earn credit by demonstrating knowledge competency through standardized assessments. Here are the three most common assessments available:

Advanced Placement Examinations
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations provide you with the opportunity to complete college-level coursework while in high school and to gain valuable skills and study habits for college. If you achieve a qualifying score of a 3 or higher on the respective AP Examination, proficiency credit is awarded according to American Council of Education (ACE) recommendations for the respective lower level course requirements. You must submit a copy of an official AP score report to be evaluated for this proficiency credit award.

CLEP Examinations
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program of credit by examination to obtain recognition of college level achievement. Colorado Technical University is a registered CLEP credit granting institution and you should consult www.collegeboard.com to find a CLEP examination center in your area.

Colorado Technical University awards proficiency credit for lower level comparable coursework based on CLEP examination scores as recommended by ACE for the respective lower level course requirements. You must submit a copy of an official CLEP score report to be evaluated for this proficiency credit award. In order to ensure that a CLEP examination is transferable into your degree program, you should consult with a Prior Learning Assessment evaluator. The total number of CLEP credits applied to a degree program may not exceed 45 session hours. Please note, you may be required to pay a fee directly to CLEP.

CLEP examinations are available in the following areas of study:

• Business
• English
• Mathematics
• Social Science
• Physical Science
• Applied Technology
• Humanities

DSST Examinations
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) were originally designed for military service members but are now available to both military and civilian learners. More information on study guides and examination options is available at www.getcollegecredit.com. Proficiency credit is awarded for passing scores according to ACE recommendations for the respective lower level course requirements. You must submit a copy of an official DSST score report to be evaluated for this proficiency credit award.

**Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.