It’s Not Too Late: Finish Your degree Faster by Leveraging What you Already Know
Meet Marc, 27, who left college to travel and work in nonprofits. When Marc realized the value of a degree, he didn’t want to start over. With a coach’s support, he turned real-world experience into college credit and sailed through his bachelor’s in under two years—all while working part-time.
If you’re 18 to 30 and haven’t finished college, you’re in good company. Life’s twists—work, family, or figuring out your direction—pull many off course. Now, with more experience and clearer goals, returning might feel right, but starting over can seem daunting.
Colleges get it—real-world skills matter. Today, schools offer ways to turn your work, volunteering, and learning into college credit, speeding up your degree and saving you money.
- Feeling “off track” compared to friends who graduated
- Balancing work, family, and school responsibilities
- Not wanting to repeat what you’ve already learned on the job
- Wanting a degree for better career options, personal fulfillment, or to set yourself up for the future
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs help you turn what you know into college credit, including:
- Internships, apprenticeships, or job experience
- Professional certifications or licenses
- Military service or community leadership
- Courses taken at other colleges or online
Schools may offer exams, portfolio reviews, or credits for standardized tests (like CLEP or DSST), helping you skip classes you’ve already mastered and move ahead at full speed.
- Qualify for better jobs and higher pay.
- Achieve a goal that sets you apart.
- Build skills for a changing workforce.
Pursue work that matches your interests and values.
A coach is your co-captain who can help you:
- Identify which experiences can count for college credit
- Find flexible, student-friendly degree programs
- Balance school, work, and life
- Set realistic goals and stay motivated
