Heyo, I've got a number of technical certifications I earned outside of traditional schooling. I'm planning on going to college, and I’m wondering if any colleges give more credit for these kinds of certifications than others? Any information would be super helpful, thanks everyone.
Certifications can certainly set you apart in the admission process and demonstrate your expertise and self-initiation in a given field. However, the way credit is awarded can vary quite a lot from one institution to the next.
It primarily depends on the institutions' policies and how they view your certifications in relation to their curriculum. While not exhaustive, institutions typically known to consider technical certifications for college credit include Western Governors University (WGU), Excelsior College, and Purdue University Global.
WGU, for example, is a competency-based university that often awards college credit for technical certifications. This is because their model is designed to allow students to apply work and life experiences toward their degrees. So if you have a certification in a field that is relevant to your degree of interest, there's a good chance you'll be able to get some credits for it.
Excelsior College has a similar model where they award credits for professional certifications, and Purdue University Global offers a detailed Credit for Work Experience portfolio course where you might have the opportunity to translate your certifications into college credit.
However, it's important to reach out to the admissions offices at the colleges you're interested in to understand their specific policies. Make sure to provide them with all the details about your certifications so they can give you the most accurate feedback. Keep in mind that private universities and more prestigious schools may be less likely to award college credits for certifications.
Another thing: make sure to provide your certification documents in your application package. Including this in your application could also help in demonstrating your expertise in a certain field, catching the eye of admissions officers, and potentially getting your application a second, closer look.
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