Earn Credit for Your Experience

If you are a working adult, you’ve probably gained some professional skills and experience that can be applied for college credits at UMass Global. Here we value real-world experience and the knowledge you’ve acquired along the way. With our specific academic pathways, you can accelerate your timeline to graduation by leveraging your work experience. Review the opportunities below. 

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) by Portfolio

UMass Global offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) by Portfolio, allowing you to earn college credit for knowledge gained through life and work experience. By submitting a portfolio, you can demonstrate how your learning aligns with a specific UMass Global course. Subject matter experts evaluate each portfolio, and if approved, you’ll receive a grade of “P” (Pass) that won’t impact your GPA. 

To be eligible, you must complete ENGU 103 (or an equivalent) and LBSU 305, be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, and choose a course from the current catalog. Strong narrative and expository writing skills are necessary for successful portfolio development. Separate portfolios and fees apply for each three-credit course you seek credit for. A maximum of 30 credits may be earned through PLA. 

For more information, review the catalog or speak with an enrollment coach.

0
0
0

International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPLSEI)

From the beginning, the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPSLEI) has focused on a vision of excellence in the exercise of leadership among all people in service to the safety of the public. IPSLEI members come from all walks of life but share a common purpose - to serve others. 

  • Students who successfully complete four IPSLEI courses will receive 12 undergraduate units towards completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree.
  • Refer to your enrollment coach to determine which courses qualify for this special program. 

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)

Students who successfully complete the educational training received from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for a Basic POST Certificate can earn UMass Global university credit. 

  • 15 semester hours of lower-division block credit can be applied to general elective credits for the successful completion of the California POST Basic Certificate.
  • All credit is considered lower-division general-elective credit.
  • No partial credit is awarded. 

If the academy/training credits are earned at a community college as part of a student’s associate degree program, then it will be included in the 60-credit block limit and not considered outside the limit.

Education Credentials and Professional Learning

Induction Experience

Teachers who complete a CTC-approved Teacher Induction or PASC Program may receive 12 credits toward UMass Global’s Master of Arts in Education (MAE). Customize your MAE around your interests, experience, and career goals—whether you want to deepen your expertise in education, pursue leadership opportunities, or prepare for a new professional direction.

Teaching Credentials (Nationwide)

Eligible students with a valid U.S. state-issued teaching credential or license may receive 12 credits toward UMass Global’s Master of Arts in Education (MAE). This credit can help qualified educators apply their professional preparation toward a graduate degree and move forward with a program tailored to their interests and career goals.

Teaching Credentials (California)

Students with a valid California Preliminary or Clear Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist teaching credential may receive 12 transfer credits toward eligible UMass Global programs, including:

Bilingual and CTEL Authorizations

Candidates who complete UMass Global’s CTEL Authorization or Bilingual Authorization (BILA) program will have 6 credits satisfied in the Master of Arts in Bilingual Education program.

Professional Certifications

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certification

UMass Global currently offers ACE recommended academic credit for FPC and CPP certifications toward UMass Global degree completion. The recommendation is inclusive of level and discipline, subject to residency requirements and other limitations as set forth in specific degree programs. The student can request an evaluation for course equivalency.

Human Resources Certification

Applicants to the Master of Science in Human Resources (MSHR) program may be eligible for course substitutions based on qualifying current or recently recertified professional credentials. Certifications or recertifications must have been earned within the past three years.

Students should consult an enrollment coach or academic advisor to confirm eligibility and review applicable transfer-credit policies.

Certification Substituted Course
PHR HRCU 600
SPHR HRCU 600
GPHR HRCU 603
SHRM-CP HRCU 600
SHRM-SCP HRCU 600

Students who previously received undergraduate substitution credit for HRCU 445 based on a PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP credential may receive waiver credit only for HRCU 600 in the MSHR program.

Information Technology Professional Certification

Academic credits may be accepted in transfer toward the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program. Students with IT professional certification(s) may substitute courses as outlined below, provided that their certification(s) are unexpired and currently recognized in the field. For more information, contact an enrollment coach or academic advisor.

BSIT Credit Hour

Professional Certification Substitution Courses
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) CSCU 353
CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) CSCU 353; CSCU 453
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) CSCU 270; CSCU 375
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) CSCU 270; CSCU 375
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) CSCU 270; CSCU 375
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) CSCU 270; CSCU 375
CompTIA A+ CSCU 251
CompTIA Cloud Essentials CSCC 475; CSCU 251
CompTIA IT Fundamentals CSCU 200
CompTIA Network+ CSCU 353
CompTIA Security+ CSCU 270
CompTIA CASP CSCU 270; CSCU 375
Oracle DBA CSCU 408; CSCU 453
PMP (Project Management Professional) CSCU 383; CSCU 385
RHCSA (Red Hat System Administrator) CSCU 251; CSCU 353
Six Sigma Green Belt CSCU 383; CSCU 415
VCP (VMWare Certified Professional) CSCU 251; CSCU 353

 

BSIT Competency-Based

Professional Certification Substitution Courses
CIW Database Design Specialist CSCC 363
CIW Web Foundations Associate CSCC 360
CompTIA A+ 220-901 CSCC 251
CompTIA A+ 220-902 CSCC 361
CompTIA IT Fundamentals CSCC 200
CompTIA Network+ Exam CSCC 353
CompTIA Projects+ CSCC 383
CompTIA Security+ CSCC 270
MTA HTMLS Application Dev Fundamentals CSCC 470
MTA Software Development Fundamentals CSCC 362
Windows Server Admin Fundamentals CSCC 364

Ways to Get Started

Related Information

All Articles