Earning Credits Towards Your Degree

Prior Learning Assessment

Adult/non-traditional students are likely to have acquired college-level learning outside of the academic classroom. In addition to evaluating transfer credit from prior college work, Pace University offers assessment of prior learning, including credit by examination, experiential learning assessment, and acceptance of ACE/NCCRS-recommended credit.

Experiential Learning Assessment

Pace University recognizes that adults often come to school with a great deal of experience and knowledge gained outside of a formal academic setting. Students interested in exploring the possibility of earning college credit for that knowledge should meet with an advisor to explore the options available. When an advisor determines that a student may be eligible for experiential credit, the student will be encouraged to enroll in a prior learning assessment course (INT 196B Prior Learning Assessment). This course will guide the student through the process of writing a portfolio that will be submitted for evaluation to the appropriate academic department. A faculty evaluator reviews the portfolio and, if college-level learning is demonstrated, approves the granting of credits. Credit earned through portfolio assessment is entered on a student’s transcript as institutional transfer credit. Students must be enrolled in one of the on-campus adult degree programs to earn up to 36 portfolio credits (BS in Professional Studies, BBA in General Business and BS in Professional Computer Studies)¹. Students may also apply up to 15 portfolio credits² to traditional bachelor degrees with permission of the chairperson of the department in which the major is offered. The portfolio process may not be completed once the student has obtained 96 transfer credits towards a degree.

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There is no guarantee of earning 36 or 15 portfolio credits. The number of portfolio credits earned depends on the individual student’s experience and the extent to which that experience is deemed to be equivalent to comparable learning achieved in Pace University coursework.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Accelerate completion of your degree by taking the CLEP exams. The College Level Examination Program, created by the College Board and Educational Testing Services, offers standardized tests at Pace that allow you to obtain college credit in general and subject areas.