Get Credits
Have you ever thought your life experience could help you earn credits for a college degree? Empire State University’s innovative Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process lets you earn credit for the knowledge and experience you already have. This saves you time and money. Whether from work, training, service, or previous college credits, you can use your past to get ahead faster.
Turn Knowledge into Savings
$10k
amount you could save through CPL earning your bachelor’s degree
2 Years
average time saved on earning a degree
1,500+
opportunities to earn credit for your learning
Credits Hidden in Plain Sight
You can turn all types of prior experiences into college credits. Here are just a few examples:
- AP courses: History, Calculus, Chemistry (the list goes on!)
- Speaking a second language (more credits for more proficiency!)
- CVS Shift Supervisor Training
- FDNY training courses (boot camp, computer training, and more)
- Sophia Learning and Study.com courses
- Google UX Design Certificate
Get started with our simple assessment. We’ll work with you to maximize your credits and move you closer to graduation!
Credit for Prior Learning
Common Credit Areas
These areas offer some of the most straightforward ways to earn credit. Don’t worry
if none of these apply to you — there are many other ways to receive credit for your
learning.
Previously earned college credits may transfer to SUNY Empire. We assess your past
coursework from accredited institutions and apply your credits to courses on your
degree track.
Military service members can receive credit for training documented on a Joint Services
Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) record. Let your service
work for you!
Earn credit by passing standardized exams such as CLEP and DSST. These exams let you
demonstrate your knowledge and skip courses in subjects you already understand.
Get credit for training, certifications, and other professional learning. We evaluate
your work-based learning to determine how it applies to your degree program.
Life Experience Supports Your Degree
We go beyond simply awarding credit for your experience. We match your knowledge to
degree requirements, helping you graduate faster and advance in a field you love.
Earning my degree was way overdue. I was doing some research, and actually came
across Empire State University. I said, this is the place. I was impressed with the
support system that it has for students, and the fact that it is geared to us — people
coming back to school.
Ronald L.
Public Affairs, '25
Are You a High School Senior?
Some experience seniors get credit for include:
- Volunteer work
- Playing a musical instrument
- Speaking a foreign language
- Coding or IT work
FAQ
The best place to start is with a resume. We use this as a starting point to get a
big picture of your experience. If you don’t have a resume, create a list of your
jobs, certifications, trainings, and any other experiences that might count toward
credit.
You’ll collaborate with your mentor or enrollment officer to complete the Prior Learning Assessment. This simple process helps us uncover all the credits you can earn from your experiences.
We can start finding credits for you when you apply to SUNY Empire and throughout
your time as a student here.
