are there any mainstream universities that offer credits for "life experience" towards a degree?

Question

I'm not talking about diploma mills.. take my case: i have worked in the mechanical engineering field for 30 yrs, but have only one yr of college.. no degree. i would like to finish school and get a degree, but here in california they do not as a rule allow credits for practical work experience.
i do not call myself an engineer as it is disrespectful of those who have ground thru 4 yrs of school to get that diploma...BUT on the other hand, i have so often had to hold my breath and bite my tongue and listen to a younger, very inexperienced engineer talk absolutely silly about something... i have my very stong points, like it would be absurd for me to have to take elementary drafting, as i have done it all my life, and could probably teach the course.. but i have my weak points, mainly advanced math and figuring moments of stress, etc, and i want to know are there any accredited schools that allow credits in a case like this...mainstream schools, not diploma mills....thanks

Answer 1

There are some schools that will allow limited credit, but Ithink your best bet is to go in to the school where you are thinking of applying and have a chat with the department chairperson of the dept. He/She will be able to tell you the exact situation at that school. I think the most likely outcome is that they might give you credit for one or two courses, but more likely they will give you an exemption from taking the most elementary classes and put you into more advanced classes where you can actually learn something.

I think there is almost no chance at all that you would be totally exempted from taking all the courses in any general area of engineering, or that they would give you any significant number of credit hours. But, you won't know until you ask.

Some schools may be much more welcoming toward non-traditional older students. Of course, if you are a responsible person who can pay tuition, they want you. So, you have a bit of a bargaining position, but you can't press it too far.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I don't live in California, so I couldn't say for that area. I live in CT, and all of the state schools are in the CSU system, and all accept these credits. I am not suggesting you move to CT, but do look into your state schools.

You may want to run a search for "Lifetime Learning" credits. You can typically get up to 60 credits from this, but from what you have explained, I am guessing you would get less than that (maybe 15, by what I am guessing you have done).

I don't mean to insult you, but a lot has changed in the 30 years you have been working, and basic courses may actually put you ahead of the game. Either way, you were only a year in to start, and I can guarantee you won't get more than 60 credits for life experience.

I think you fall into that awkward generation; the one where you could still get a decent job without a college degree - but that is not really the case anymore. I don't envy your position - as I have had to take order from less experienced, but more educated people as well.

Anyways, try looking for the lifetime learning credit - and look into state schools. They are not diploma mills, but they usually do more for non-traditional students.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Probably the best thing you can do is to test out of the courses for which you are familiar with the material. This is usually done with language classes and - through taking the subject SATII 's - basic science and math classes. However, I did a quick google search for ' "test out of" engineering' and found within the first few site this university that allows a form of testing out of engineering courses, so I think it is possible.
http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu/uwplatteville/transferandtestout.asp

Answer 4

Many do. come across a cohort application. one that caters to working experts is superb because of the fact they understand you're a hectic expert. you will ought to accomplish a little checking on your section yet i'm useful you might have a number of concepts to compliment between. additionally, in the adventure that your corporation gives you training reimbursement HR could have some concepts for you.

Answer 5

many mainstream schools do offer credits for life experience. however, yours is a very technical degree, so it may be harder to get credit. you just have to look into the schools that you are specifically interested in, & see what their policies are. good luck!