Charter Oak recognizes that college-level learning can take place both inside and outside the traditional classroom. Therefore, we provide you with multiple options for earning credit for the knowledge you have acquired through personal and professional experience. Charter Oak has two basic means of awarding this type of credit. You may:

Earn Credits by Proving What You Know

Standardized Exams/Testing
You can complete a nationally recognized standardized exam in the subject-area(s) of your experience. When you pass the exam, you will be awarded credits that can be added to your transcript. Please review detailed information on testing in the Standardized Exam section of this Web site.

Portfolio
You can earn college credit for previous learning through portfolio assessment. This process begins with a 3-credit, Prior Learning Portfolio Development course (IDS102) that is taken online at Charter Oak. During the course, students will learn how to prepare a portfolio that presents the evidence necessary for your learning to be evaluated. Please visit the Portfolio section of this Web site for more information.

Transfer in Pre-approved Credits

Noncollegiate Courses Approved by ACE and National PONSI
Business, industry, the military, government agencies, professional groups and volunteer organizations offer in-service training and educational courses for their employees or members. Those which have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) or by the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (National PONSI) may be considered for credit toward a Charter Oak State College degree. Students should request that official transcripts be sent directly from these agencies (ACE or PONSI) to Charter Oak. You may wish to complete the Transcript Request form (download as PDF) to request this information. For military records go to the military transcript section.

Connecticut Credit Assessment Program (CCAP)
The CCAP program provides credit assessments on medical and health programs, computer training; civil service training, and more. The list of approved programs can be found on the CCAP page.