Alternative Credit Options
Earn credits for life experience
If you’re exploring how your past experiences—on the job, in the military, through volunteer work, trainings and even independent study—might translate into college credit at Central Michigan University, you’re in the right place. This page introduces CMU’s Alternative Credit Options and offers resources to help you understand those options, get started, and make the most of what you already know.
Prior learning credit
Utilize your real-world experience to accelerate your degree progress. With Prior Learning Credit, you can earn college credits for skills gained on the job, through professional development, or volunteer roles, as long as they meet college-level standards. Our flexible, competency-based model allows for up to 60 undergraduate or 12 graduate credits, enabling you to save time, bypass unnecessary courses, and reduce tuition costs significantly. Transform your experience into opportunity and advance towards your goals.
UNDERGRADUATE and graduate PRIOR LEARNING CREDIT
Military Affiliated Student Prior Learning Credit
Certification to credit
Our Certification to Credit option recognizes select, pre-approved industry certifications and credentials that have been evaluated by academic departments for credit equivalency. This means the credit value and type (e.g., general program credit, elective credit) have already been determined. There is no additional testing or portfolio required. To explore this option, talk to your academic advisor. If your certification qualifies, we’ll verify the documentation and apply the approved credit directly to your transcript.
Certification to Credit is one of several Alternative Credit Pathways available to help you save time and reduce costs as you complete your degree.
Please note: while you may apply up to 60 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits from all alternative credit options combined (including prior learning credit, testing, and certification-based credit), any certification credit awarded will count toward that maximum.
Not sure if your certification is eligible? Start by exploring the Undergraduate or Graduate Certification to Credit links below.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATION TO CREDIT
GRADUATE CERTIFICATION TO CREDIT
Credit by exam
With our online credit by exam options, you can turn your knowledge into college credit by passing approved exams like CLEP, DSST, or departmental challenge exams. If you’ve gained subject mastery through independent study, work experience, or previous coursework, you may not need to retake the class.
It’s a smart, flexible way to earn college credit for what you already know, reduce tuition costs, and accelerate your degree. Test out of courses, skip ahead, and make your experience count.
