Our most commonly asked questions are listed below. Please contact our ADCP Director with any other questions you might have.

What is Prior Learning Assessment?

We recognize that college level learning often takes place outside of the traditional university environment. This program provides a nationally recognized method of allowing college credit for learning that you may have obtained through work, seminars, training programs, military education programs, and certification programs. It is not credit for time on the job - it is a system to measure what you have learned through prior experience and assigning college level credit to that learning.

You may choose any of the Bachelor of Science programs available from the College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning.  These degrees are:

• Bachelor of University Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
  • Concentration in Organizational Leadership
  • Concentration in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies

There are numerous areas of study within these degree programs that can be customized to your interests.  The Program Director and your advisor will help you select the program that best fits your needs.

How does it work?

College level credit can be obtained from five basic areas:

• Prior college credit from a university or accredited community college
• Credit from commercial business college or technical schools
• Challenge or CLEP exams
• Work related learning, seminars, training programs, and certifications
• Prior learning identified and evaluated during the portfolio creation process (PRST 3010)

Once the college level learning has been identified, a student will be able "map" the courses needed to "fill in the gaps" and complete his or her degree program quickly. Your Program Director and Advisor will help you identify the best academic plan for you.

No.  Not every class, job function, or learning experience provides college level learning – but some do.   During the Prior Learning Assessment class (PRST 3010) students go through a formalized process to identify and quantify their potentially available credit.  Each student will prepare a formal portfolio which details and justifies his or her prior learning.

Who is your typical student?

Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. However we typically see that most of our students:

• Are generally 25 years or older with at least 5 years work experience and some college credit.
• Have credit for college level English (English 1010 and 1020) or their equivalents - those that don't have this take them near the first of the program.

How much does the program cost?

• The standard MTSU fees and tuition apply. Being a state institution the overall cost of education is typically much lower than the for profit or private institution alternative.
• The fees may be reviewed here.

How many hours of college do I need to get started?

• None. Unlike many programs that require a specified number of credit hours the MTSU Adult Degree Completion Program is designed to start with you wherever you are.
• Most of our students will have started a program and may have 30 to 60 hours of credit already and want to finish.

What do I do next?

• Gather copies of your resume, any transcripts, certificates, grade reports, or diplomas that you might have. Don't worry if you can't find them all at first. This will allow you to get the most from your initial interview and provide a head start for the Prior Learning Assessment class. Be sure and make a list of any questions you might have.
• Schedule an appointment with our Prior Learning Assessment Program Director at 898-2177.

Contact Us 

For more information about our Adult Degree Completion Program please call our office at 615-898-2177 or fill out the contact form and we'll call you. We want to do everything we can to help you get to a degree as quickly as possible.