How to Accelerate Your Degree Plan
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Credit Banking
Credit banking is an evaluation and transcript service for those who need to consolidate academic records. The Credit Bank issues one transcript in which all credit is summarized in a comprehensive form. The Credit Bank will accept seven kinds of deposits, including credits from licenses, certifications, college courses (inlcuding correspondence or distance courses), equivalency exams, non-college learning experiences, company courses and in-house training. Some universities that provide portfolio assessment and credit banking services are Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak, Excelsior College, and Ohio University.

Credit by Learning Contract
Contract learning, where you design your own curriculum or learning contract, is used in many distance degree programs. The learning contract enables students who cannot attend traditional programs offered by colleges and universities to prepare a contract to attain the equivalent knowledge. Under faculty guidance, students design contracts that detail the subjects to be studied, assignments, projects or tasks to be fulfilled, resources used, and the methods for knowledge assessment, as well as the time frame for completion.

Transfer Credit
In devising an academic plan, be sure that any course you take at another school will transfer to the institution you want to issue your degree (this must be in writing). Be certain that each course also applies to the school's degree requirements for graduation. When transferring credit, there is no hard and fast rule as every college or university has its own policy on accepting transfer credits from other schools. Schools with regional accreditation are known to not accept credits from colleges accredited by other accrediting agencies.

It is important to remember that while different colleges and universities will have specific requirements to earn a degree, they typically require that 30-45 of these units must be residency units (units earned from the graduating college). Some colleges and universities also have limits on the number of credits that can be transferred and applied toward a degree. There are exceptions, however (see Credit Banking, above.) You can also receive a degree from a prestigious school just by taking the final 30 hours at that institution.

Additional Resources:

College Connection.
Find fully accredited distance degree programs that offer American Council on Education credit for life experience (prior learning or portfolio credit), business and military credit, and other accelerated options. Profiles the top distance degree programs in a wide range of disciplines offered through the Internet, correspondence, multimedia, or broadcast/video. Includes distance education opportunities by state.

College Credit Without Classes, How to Obtain Academic Credit for What You Already Know, James L. Carroll

Getting a College Degree Fast, Testing Out & Other Accredited Shortcuts, Joanne Aber, Ph.D.

One Year to a College Degree, Lynette Long and Eileen Hershberger