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The Many Ways to Earn Credit for College

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High school students and adult learners can earn college credit while in high school or through prior learning through life experiences in multiple ways.

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Things to know
Dual credit and exam-based credit programs
Do All Colleges and Universities Accept These Credits?
FAQs

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High school students and adult learners can earn college credit while in high school or through prior learning through life experiences in multiple ways.

Most Minnesota high schools provide credit-earning opportunities where students earn college credit by taking a college-level course (dual credit) or a college-level exam (exam-based credit). These programs are often referred to by their common names, such as PSEO, College in the Schools, College Now, AP, and IB, among others.

Adult students earn prior learning through life experience credit for what they have learned through independent study, noncredit courses, work experience, portfolio demonstration, previous licensure or certification, or completion of other learning opportunities (government or professional). Many colleges and universities determine eligibility for this type of credit by administering Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs). Additionally, exam-based programs such as CLEP offer both high school and adult students the opportunity to earn college credit for what they already know.

Dual credit and exam-based programs often require a minimum grade point average or exam score to participate. Check with your school counselor or reach out to one of the admissions office at the college or university you plan to attend for more information.

Compare Dual Credit Programs

Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent Enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses at their high school through partnerships between high schools and colleges. Students earn both high school and college credit by passing the class. In addition "concurrent enrollment," these programs are sometimes called College in the Schools, CEP, or College Now.

Postsecondary Enrollment Options

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate (IB) is a two-year pre-college diploma program that helps prepare students age 16 to 19 for higher education in the United States and overseas through a combination of course-taking and test-taking. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit by receiving a passing score on the IB subject exam, as determined by the college.

Advanced Placement

College Level Examination Program

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to earn college credit by taking exams for what they already know. Students can submit their scores to a college or university and receive college credit based on their scores, if the college accepts CLEP scores. There are no classes that students take to help them prepare for these exams; students register and take tests independently.

World Language Seals and Certification

Standardized Proficiency Examinations

Many colleges and universities award college credit for standardized proficiency examinations administered and scored by nationally recognized third-party assessment organizations. These include, but are not limited to, GED® College Ready + Credit; Cambridge International examinations; DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST); Excelsior College UExcel examinations; The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessments; New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP) examinations; and Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP). Contact your college or university to learn more.

Not all colleges and universities award credit for participating in dual credit programs, exam-based programs, or for prior learning through life experiences. Credit acceptance can sometimes depend on the type of class, the student's test scores, and the college or university the student chooses. Students need to check with their high school counselor or college staff to ensure that the credits or experience will transfer. Students can also set up a free account on Transferology to review how credits will transfer to different colleges or universities.

transferology website

Am I eligible to take a dual credit class?

What exam scores are considered "passing?"

What is the likelihood that my credits will transfer?

Each colleges and universities will have their own process for accepting transfer credit, so it is essential to check with them when choosing a college. The admissions office is a great place to start.

For additional details regarding how your credits may transfer to your college or university of choice, click here.

Why might my credit not be accepted?

Will my CTE credits transfer?

Because CTE classes tend to be specialized toward a specific career and are often highly technical, many bachelor's degree programs do not accept CTE credits since they do not require similar courses to graduate. Similarly, if the student decides not to pursue a career in the area of their CTE course, the credits may not be accepted into their new major. It is important to check with the college to ensure that your CTE credits will be accepted and applied to your intended major.

Are official transcripts necessary to transfer my credits?

How do I submit the college credit I earned from a dual credit course?

Requesting and sending transcripts can differ from college to college. Typically, students can request their official transcript from the Office of the Registrar. Many postsecondary institutions allow students to request their official transcript online. Some colleges and universities require students to download and sign a release form and send it to the Registrar before they can access their official transcript. If an official physical transcript is requested, it must be signed and sealed by the Registrar and cannot be opened before reaching the destination college. Some institutions charge students a small fee for requesting their official transcript. Official transcripts are sent to the records /Registrar's office at their destination college. Students can find the address online or call the office for more information.

Note: If a student is transferring their credit from one Minnesota State College or University to another (i.e., from Central Lakes College to Pine Technical and Community College), the Registrar can electronically send official transcripts to the destination college. In any other case (i.e., the student took a PSEO course at Metropolitan State University and is transferring the credit to Augsburg College), the official transcripts will need to be mailed, emailed, or transferred from one college to the other college. The college where you took the class can assist you in this process.

How do I submit my AP, IB or CLEP scores to a college?

Students can log in to CollegeBoard or IB's website and send exam scores (physically or electronically) to their destination college. These scores should be sent to the records/Registrar's office. In the case of IB, college Registrars have the option to create an account with IB and check students' scores online.

For instructions on how to send AP scores to your destination college, click here.

For instructions on how to send CLEP scores to your destination college, click here.

IB Students can request that their scores be sent to college. You can do so by logging on to MyIB. Colleges and universities can also access your scores electronically. You can call the university Registrar and ask if they would prefer to receive them or view your scores online.

Always follow up with the college or university's Registrar's office to ensure they received your exam scores and applied them to your college transcript.

How do I submit my military training or occupation, prior learning through life experiences, or World Language Seal certification for college credit?

Because military training, experience for prior learning, and World Language Seals certification tend to be specialized toward specific skills and career training, many colleges and universities handle each transfer situationally or follow recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACEÂ®), so it is essential to check with each college or university individually. If you took courses while enlisted in the military, you can find your courses listed in the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The Contact Information tab above will direct you to the best person to contact at each college or university for each program if you have additional questions.

To learn more about how American Council on Education (ACEÂ®) supports both military learners and non-military learners through transcripts and digital badges, click here.

To learn more about accessing your Joint Services Transcript (JST), click here.

The Many Ways to Earn Credit for College

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