Credit for Work or Life Experience

Learning happens both in school and out of it. Transform the learning you have achieved through life or work experiences into college credit today. 

Use alternative pathways to earn credit at USC Upstate for prior learning for workplace training, military training, world language experience, technology credentials, and more. 

Credit for Workplace Training and Certifications Explore the ACE National Guide to credit for workplace training and certifications. If you have been awarded a Credly digital badge for training and certifications, request your Credly Transcript, and have it sent to the University of South Carolina Upstate at admissions@uscupstate.edu.

Credit by Exam USC Upstate accepts credit for ACTFL, AP, CLEP, DSST (DANTES), ECE, German Abitur, IB, and UExcel exam scores. In addition, you may contact the department that offers a particular course to complete a challenge exam, which is a cumulative final exam, in a variety of courses to earn credit. Example courses include Introduction to Computer Technology, English Composition I, and Spanish: Topics in Conversation.  Learn More about Credit by Exam.

Credit for Experience in World Languages Find a range of options for earning credit for your prior language learning in over 120 world languages.

Credit by Portfolio When you have already learned the material taught in a specific USC Upstate course that is required in your degree plan, but you do not have any certificate to verify your learning, you may demonstrate your learning by preparing a portfolio. The scope of your learning must be the equivalent of a college-level course, including both underlying theory and concepts as well as practical applications. Your portfolio will provide a narrative explaining and documenting the ways your prior learning and experience fulfill the learning outcomes of your chosen course. First, complete the Request for Portfolio Credit Form below (sign in with your USC Upstate email username and password). When approved, enroll in the one-credit UNIV U210 course to prepare your portfolio with the guidance of a faculty member.

Go to Request for Portfolio Credit Form