This article was originally published February 19, 2024, and was updated.
If you’re thinking about going back to college as an adult, you should find a school that respects all your previous life experiences – and reviews the possibilities of translating those experiences into college credits. By applying your school, work, and life experience toward your degree, you could reduce the cost of tuition and graduate faster.
Transcript
| VIDEO | AUDIO |
Title: Credits for Prior Learning | (Music begins) |
See students from different walks of life Graphic: Translate your life experiences into college credits Reduce the cost of tuition Graduate faster Grad walk shots | Narration: Want to know how to apply your school, work, and life experience toward your degree? If you’re an adult, maybe a working parent, or even in the military; and you’re thinking about going back to college, you should find a school that respects all your previous life experiences – and reviews the possibilities of translating those experiences into college credits. By doing that, you could reduce the cost of tuition and graduate faster. |
Cupola shot Maddie Loveless on camera Lower third Maddie Loveless Office of Student Success | All while earning a top-notch degree from the university founded for working adults more than 75 years ago. Hi, my name is Maddie. I work here at ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ in the Office of Student Success, and I am here to tell you to look no further than UMGC when it comes to what we call -- credits for prior learning. |
Graphic: UMGC is the #1 public university for transfer students in the United States Maddie on camera Graphic: You can earn credits from another college | Narration: We truly put students first. We want you to succeed.  So, what are some ways you can earn prior learning credits from UMGC? The most common is credit from time spent in a  classroom at another four-year institution or a community college. |
Lower-third Tia Little John-Adams UMGC Graduate UMGC Webpage screenshots: Transfer credits | Tia Little John-Adams: I didn't have to retake anything. And of course, everything that came over from the community college. So, I think when I started back here, I had like 70 credits, so I didn't have that long to go, to finish. |
Graphic: You can earn credits from Military service Lower third Alan Dinsmore UMGC Graduate Military students b-roll | Narration: If you are currently serving in the military or have in the past, that training can translate into academic credits, too. When I went to transfer my military experience, they were the best college to actually take most of those credits. So, it really cut down on the expense and time it took for me to get to this degree. |
Maddie on camera Graphic: You can earn credits from Job or life experiences | Narration: We also look at certificates earned while on the job, corporate or vocational training, and credits for work or life achievements presented in a written report that aligns with the requirements of specific UMGC courses. |
UMGC Webpage screenshot: Portfolio Lower third Bernetta on her laptop Lower third Dominique Hawkins UMGC Graduate UMGC Webpage screenshots: Credit for industry certification | Bernetta Reese: So, with 20 years in public service, I had a lot of experience. I think I knocked off at least a good semester's worth of classes Dominique Hawkins: I had my Cisco Certified Networking Plus certification that allowed me to transfer into college credits as well as my MCSE certification through Microsoft which allowed me to further complete my degree a lot faster than it would have normally taken. |
Graphic: | Narration: You can even earn credits by taking an exam and testing your knowledge level. Our goal is to help you find the fastest path to your dream degree. |
Maddie on camera Disclaimer: the awarding of prior learning credits is not guaranteed. UMGC uses a number of different criteria to decide whether your credit is transferable and applicable to your UMGC program. | Narration: In total, UMGC’s transfer credit policy is very generous. From a combination of different eligible sources, we may be able accept up to: 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, or |
Maddie on camera | Narration: If you are applying to a bachelor’s program at UMGC, and want to see how many credits you might be able to apply here, go to the Transferology website for an unofficial evaluation. Or talk to someone in Admissions. If it takes 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s, you can quickly see the advantage of  bringing credits with you. |
Student b-roll Graphic: UMGC may award up to 9 credits for an undergraduate certificate 12 credits for a graduate degree 6 credits for a graduate certificate | If you have already completed some other college experience, some of those credits can be applied too. We can award up to: 9 credits for an undergraduate certificate, 12 credits for a graduate degree, and 6 credits for a graduate certificate. |
Maddie on camera Student b-roll | Narration: Your work and life experiences matter and we want you to get credit for that so you can graduate faster and begin the next phase of your life. So, apply to UMGC and find out how much your previous life successes can help you succeed again. |
UMGC Logo Animation Learn more at umgc.edu ADMISSIONS PHONE NUMBER 855-655-8682 | (Music ends) |
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party. 
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