<p>Hi, I'm a first-time poster. I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences seeking and receiving college credit for experiential learning. I have slightly less than two years' college credit, and I would like to earn my bachelor's degree and go on to graduate study. I have been teaching university courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels for four years and am well-known in my field, but without a graduate (or any) degree advancement beyond adjunct or visiting professor positions is virtually impossible. While I'd very much like to re-enroll as a full-time undergraduate, practical considerations -- e.g., my various personal and professional responsibilities -- make this a difficult option, not to mention the obvious awkwardness of possibly being enrolled as an underclassman at one of the several universities where I teach and advise graduate students. Anyway, any gripes, anecdotes, warnings, etc. would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I find it very hard to believe you are able to teach and advise graduate students without even having an undergrad degree. Can you elaborate on that?</p>
<p>Sure. As I said in my post, I’m a very well-known practitioner in my field. I’ve written several books and have dozens of other publications, including scholarly articles.</p>
<p>If your vita is that good, I would search for a place that would let you get your Ph.D. in a short time basically for the work you have already done or for extensions that you are currently working on.</p>
<p>Presumably you should be well-connected and you can ask around for this kind of deal.</p>
<p>Well, even if such a deal was available – and I’m pretty certain it isn’t – I’m not trying to circumvent the formal requirements for a graduate degree, spurster. Or for a bachelor’s, really, although I am interested in hearing from anyone who’s gone through the process of having their life experience evaluated for college credit.</p>
<p>CLEP tests might be appropriate; however, I don’t know whether they would be the level of credit you need. I am not an expert.</p>
<p>Each institution sets its own policy about graduate admission, and it is rare, but not unheard of, for students to be admitted to graduate programs without completing a full undergraduate degree. If a Ph.D. is a specific goal of yours, it may be worth your while to ask around within your profession to find out if this is an option for you.</p>
<p>At the same time, there is nothing wrong with wanting to complete a Bachelor’s degree just for your own sense of accomplishment. The University of Maryland University College has very generous credit for experience policies, as well as an extensive distance ed. program. [UMUC</a> - Homepage](<a href=“http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml]UMUC”>http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml) One of my cousins completed her undergraduate degree there and was able to receive quite a bit of credit for her work experience.</p>
<p>A good source for information about these kinds of programs is “Bear’s Guide to Distance Learning”. You should be able to pick up a copy at your local public library.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Be cautious and make sure you go with programs that are from real, legit, degree-granting colleges. Purporting to grant college credit and/or degrees for “life experience” is a common scam run by diploma mills and similar phony outfits.</p>