Going Back to College: Frequently Asked Questions
(Continued from page 5)

I've Heard About Getting Credit for Life or Work Experience and Testing. How Does That Work?
Many institutions grant credit through standardized exams. Exams such as CLEP or DANTES may be taken in several subject areas and students gain credit when they are successfully passed. Some colleges also grant credit for life or work experience, often termed "life experience credit". This normally involves compiling a portfolio that demonstrates the student has mastered the principles taught in a course. Colleges are guided by college credit recommendations made by the American Council on Education and the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction.

If you have accumulated a lot of credits from several institutions but haven't attained a degree, look into an external degree program. You can transfer in a large portion of your coursework, reducing the time it takes to get a degree. See Credit Options and Accelerate Your Degree Plan for more information about these options.

How Can I Locate Distance or Online Programs?
- Check your local college or university. A large percentage of colleges and universities are now offering expanded distance opportunities, including courses through broadcast television, the Internet, and correspondence. Taking distance courses through a local school is also more affordable as state tuition is usually less expensive that out-of-state tuition. To further lower tuition costs, check program offerings at public institutions first, then private universities.

- Browse our directory of degree programs, where you'll find resources to help you locate traditional or distance programs, including online degrees and online courses and certification. College Connection is a unique database of the top distance programs that provide American Council on Education college level credit for life experience and credit by examination.

- Search the Internet, specifying online or distance degree programs and the type of program you are looking for; i.e., a bachelor's degree in business administration.

- Browse distance and online education print directories. There are many of these guidebooks in print providing detailed information on schools, including admissions and financial aid information. You can view some of the most popular books in Bestselling Guides for Adults Returning to College and featured throughout the Website.

(For additional help in selecting a distance program, see Should You Get Your Degree Through Distance Learning? and Tackling Online Degree Programs.)

Will an Employer Accept a Distance or Online Degree Program?
If you choose a regionally accredited degree program, there should be no questions regarding the credibility of your degree. Most schools don't differentiate between degrees earned on-campus and degrees earned through distance learning. With increasing technology and the growing number of distance and online programs being made available, including those from schools like the University of Irvine and DePaul University, you probably will not have any problems with a degree received from a distance program. (See also, How Do Employers View Online Degrees? and Online Education Gets Accolades.)

I Have Been Out of College For Several Years. How Do I Get Letters of Recommendation?
Try to receive a letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor who knew you well during college. If you don't have this resource, professional recommendations from your employer or other sources are also acceptable. Submitting a recommendation from a family member or friend should be your last option.

Next...