College is an investment both of time and of money. But what if you could reduce your time-to-degree and costs by receiving college credit toward your degree program for experience you already have? At Colorado Technical University (CTU), we understand that not all learning takes place in the classroom, and that's why we offer several potential ways to earn college credit for prior life and work experience.
Finding out whether you are eligible to receive college credit toward your chosen degree program all starts with an assessment of any potential credit, which is completed by our Registrar Evaluation Services (RES).
Review by Registrar Evaluation Services (RES)
CTU students may earn transfer credit through completion of advanced standing options that satisfy the established criteria for credential awarding in other words, it may be possible for CTU students to receive credit for prior learning or experience based on the outcome of a review conducted by Registrar Evaluation Services (RES). During the review, a Registrar Evaluation Services Specialist (RESS) will evaluate learning that has taken place outside of the traditional academic setting (e.g., work or military experience) to determine whether a student should be awarded proficiency credit through advanced standing (PR credit) for that experience. While proficiency credit counts toward fulfilling a degree program's credit requirements, a grade of PR is not a grade in the traditional sense and therefore does not count toward a student's GPA.
The RES evaluation looks beyond previously earned college credit at an accredited postsecondary institution. In determining whether to award proficiency credit based on prior learning or experience, RES may consider the following:
1. Course Challenge Examinations
2. Experiential Learning demonstrating subject matter mastery through documented work experience
3. Military Credit for training or Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
4. Professional Training/Certification credit
5. Standardized Assessment score results (AP, CLEP, DSST)
Overview of the CTU Advanced Standing Credit Process
Once accepted to Colorado Technical University, students have the option to pursue advanced standing requirements and degree-planning assistance. Once a student submits the necessary official documentation to the RESS, they will conduct a review to determine eligibility for advanced standing credit. All documentation must meet the established assessment guidelines for transfer credit.
Ways to Earn College Credit for Work or Life Experience
CTU's Fast Track Program*
We at CTU realize that many students who pursue our undergraduate degree programs have life and work experience that may be relevant to their studies. That is why we developed CTU Fast Track™, a program that makes it possible for students to earn college credit for demonstrating their relevant life and work experience.
Each Fast Track exam is designed to test a student’s knowledge of key course objectives. Passing an exam makes it possible to skip that class while still receiving PR credit for it. Having to take fewer classes could translate into earning your degree faster and saving money. CTU Fast Track™ exams are offered at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels.
Experiential Learning
CTU awards proficiency credit for experiential learning, which is prior learning that has been acquired through employment or other experiences relevant to a particular course. To demonstrate understanding of course content in the hope of earning college credit, a student may submit an electronic Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP). Submitting an ELP allows a student to highlight experiences they believe are relevant to a particular course and tie those experiences directly to that course’s objectives. The ELP comprises a narrative essay explaining how their experiential learning relates to each course objective as well as documentation that supports the claims of the narrative. Examples of supporting documentation are work artifacts, written reports, employee evaluations, trainings or certificates, and/or supervisory verification
Military Experience or Service
Active servicemembers, reservists and veterans may be eligible to receive college credit for their military service or training. CTU uses the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in evaluating military training and experience and may award college credit for comparable lower-level courses or electives, including:
- Military Training Course
- Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
- Service Colleges
Professional Training and Certification
Another potential way to earn credit for work experience is by submitting evidence of professional training or professional certification. Professional training certificates demonstrate learning and knowledge acquired outside of the traditional academic setting in a specific subject. In addition to training programs/certifications that are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE), CTU may be willing to evaluate other types of documented training (e.g., Continuing Education Units (CEUs)) to determine whether professional training or professional certification credit should be awarded.
Standardized Tests
Submitting standardized test results is yet another way that CTU makes it possible to receive proficiency credit (college credit) for prior accomplishments
Advanced Placement (AP) At the undergraduate level, students may be eligible to receive proficiency credit for relevant lower-level courses. Students must submit an official AP score report to the Registrar Evaluation Services Specialist for an AP proficiency credit evaluation.
College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP)CLEP is a College Board program that makes it possible to earn credit for what you already know. These standardized tests offer a potential way to “test out” of introductory courses, which can reduce your total time to complete a degree. To be evaluated for this proficiency credit award, a copy of an official CLEP score report must be submitted. A CTU Registrar Evaluation Services Specialist can help determine whether a particular CLEP examination is applicable to the student’s chosen degree program. CLEP exams are currently available in the following areas of study:
- Business
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Physical Science
- Applied Technology
- Humanities
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST). DSSTs are college-subject tests originally designed by DANTES, a U.S. Department of Defense agency, to help military members earn college credit for their military experience. Nowadays, however, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests are available to anyone both civilians and military service members interested in earning credit by examination. Proficiency credit is awarded for passing scores according to ACE recommendations for the respective lower-level course requirements. A copy of an official DSST score report must be submitted in order to be evaluated for this proficiency credit award.
Find Out Whether You May Be Eligible to Receive Credit for Work or Life Experience
Whether by passing a CTU Fast Track exam, demonstrating experiential learning, having military experience, obtaining professional training/certification or submitting standardized test scores, there are various ways to potentially earn credit for prior learning or experience that can be applied to your CTU degree program. If you're interested in taking advantage of these programs and having your prior experience assessed, the first step is to reach out to a member of the CTU Registrar Evaluation Services team or your Student Success Coach (if you are a currently enrolled student).
If you'd like to learn more about how to earn college credit for your life and work experience, contact us today.
* The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
Colorado Technical University cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2142171 6/2025