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Work / Life Experience Credits

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Want to compare your previous credits with your next goal? If you've earned credit from schools you attended previously with courses that apply to your desired FVTC program, we'd like to review your transcript.

Do you have professional knowledge and skills, but not the official credentials to back them up? If you can, "Pass it. Prove it. Provide it." you may be granted credit in a program that directly relates to your experience. Complete an interest form or schedule an appointment to review your options.

Work/Life Experience Interest Form Schedule One-on-One Appointment

How to Get Started:

  1. Once you submit a Work/Life Experience Interest Form, we'll guide you through the next steps. 
  2. You'll get details about which courses offer assessment reviews and what type of assessment is used.
  3. The initial review is free. If you choose to proceed with a Work/Life Experience assessment, fees are $50 per course for skills testing and $90 per course for other assessment reviews.

Assessment Types Vary

  • Skills Test
  • Industry Certification Review
  • Work Experience/Portfolio Review
    (previous work experience, military training, business and industry training, etc.)

Assessment / Review Types

Credit by Examination

Before enrolling in a course, request a Work/Life Experience Assessment to see if you are eligible to receive credit without having to take the course. At the discretion of the Division Dean or designee, the evaluation is conducted through oral, written, or performance exam; portfolio development and review; or by a combination of these methods. If you successfully complete the exam/review, credit will be granted for the course. You can attempt to earn credit by examination for a specific course only once.

You may be awarded credit for a course(s) by achieving an acceptable score on an exam with nationally recognized standards including Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of three or above and the CLEP exams with a score of 50 or above.

Credit for Experiential Learning

Credit may be granted for previous work experience, previous military education or experience, business and industry training, advanced high school courses comparable in content and level, or other prior learning experiences. At the discretion of the Division Dean or designee responsible for the course(s) under consideration, this assessment is conducted through methods such as, but not limited to, portfolio development and review, transcript and resume review, and personal interview. Skills and knowledge gained through experiential learning must relate directly to the program course(s) and be comparable in content and level of rigor; elective credit may serve as another option.

Associate Degree Advanced Standing for Apprenticeship Training

Apprentices who have completed a minimum of 400 hours of registered apprenticeship related instruction and obtained journey-level status are eligible for 32 credits of Prior Learning Credit to meet the occupational-specific course requirements of an Associate Degree in Technical Studies-Journeyworker. To qualify, you must present documentation, including a Wisconsin Journey level certificate. You may be awarded a maximum of eight additional credits toward the associate degree for registered apprenticeship related instruction beyond the 400-hour minimum at the rate of one credit per 36 hours of instruction.

Associate Degree Advanced Standing for Technical Diploma Course Work

Prior Learning Credit can be awarded for technical diploma level coursework when applied toward an associate degree. Requests will be reviewed and authorized by the respective Division Dean. Only one credit of coursework at the associate degree level will be granted for three technical diploma credits. Competency assessment is strongly recommended for this credit to help ensure student success.

Prior Learning Credit / Credit Transfer

Email: Transfer Credit
Phone: 920-735-4720
Text: 920-345-4229