How do universities evaluate what I learned in the military?
UW universities evaluate and award credit for prior learning in a number of ways. Some evaluations are offered by organizations outside of the university campus and others are offered by the university. Here are some examples of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) options. Talk to your advisor about the options that may work the best for you given your past training and learning and your current academic and career plans. Not all options are offered by all universities.
The American Council on Education (ACE) offers college credit recommendations for military and corporate training programs.
Leveraging what credit for your prior learning may be available to you through ACE credit recommendations is always a good start, because every UW university will evaluate your Joint Service Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript when you first enroll.
How the CPL will apply to your degree requirements may vary based on your military training and if that training matches courses offered by your university, and the courses you need to earn your degree.
There is no cost to have your JST or CCAF transcript evaluate.
CLEP consists of 33 examinations in five subject areas, including composition and literature, foreign languages, history and the social sciences, natural sciences and math, and Business. These exams can be taken at a testing center.
If taken at a DANTES approved site, current and former members of the military can take the first test in each exams category for free. See resources located at the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) for more information.
The DSST consists of 37 examinations in six subject areas, including social science, business, mathematics, applied technology, humanities, and physical science. These exams can be taken at a testing center.
If taken at a DANTES approved site, current and former members of the military can take the first test in each exams category for free. See resources located at the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) for more information.
This program consists of 45 examinations in four subject areas, including Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Nursing, and Social Science/History.
AP exams can be taken during high school. There are 34 examinations in 19 subject areas.
Most academic departments at UW institutions will allow a student to take a course specific comprehensive exam.
Several UW universities provide students with opportunities to demonstrate and document college level learning by creating a portfolio. A portfolio is an organized collection of materials developed by the learner that describes, records, and verifies learning achievements and knowledge competencies. The portfolio includes a reflective essay that describes and demonstrates the student's mastery of course content.
Most often students must enroll in a class that helps you identify what courses you would like to include in your portfolio and how to create a successful portfolio submission.
Wondering what type of Prior Learning Assessment is right for you?
