Accelerate Your Education At AIU®
Put your past work experience or knowledge to good use and save time and money on your degree.
Shorten Your Time To Graduation
With AIU Accelerate®, you can ensure your prior experience and knowledge are considered when pursuing your education. Have your hard work acknowledged and earn degree credit, so you can potentially take fewer classes and accelerate your degree!
- Professional or work experience, including industry training and evaluated non-college programs
- Professional or industry certifications
- Standardized tests, like AP, CLEP, DSST, and Excelsior
- Individualized assessments, including portfolios or experiential essays
- AIU Challenge Exam scores to test out of courses
Transform Your Experiences Into College Credit
Prior Learning Assessment
AIU offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program called AIU Accelerate® where students can have credits awarded for learning that has taken place outside of the classroom and applied to specific courses in a student's program of study. It is based on the belief that learning happens over a lifetime whether inside or outside of school, and may occur through personal, professional, and life experiences; corporate and employer sponsored training; community service/civic leadership; entrepreneurship; interests and hobbies; travel; self-study, or other appropriate learning experiences. AIU adheres to Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) standards and guidelines and is guided by established prior-learning assessment practices in higher education.
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Professional Training/Certification Credit
Adults who have acquired formal training outside of credit-granting institutions such as military training or company training may be eligible for professional training or certification credit. Interested students must have officially documented clock hours/continuing education units (CEUs). Many of these programs carry American Council on Education (ACE) recognition and credit recommendations and will be accepted according to AIU academic credit equivalency requirements. Other documented training measured in clock hours, CEUs, or other units may be evaluated for prior learning assessment credit awards based on appropriate credit conversions.
If a student has already completed professional training/certification, they should submit documentation to the Registrar's Office.
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Law Enforcement Training
Students who have successfully completed a state-approved law enforcement academy or related training program are eligible for the Law Enforcement Advanced Standing Program (LEASP). This program awards up to 36 credits toward a criminal justice degree at AIU for those who qualify. To qualify for this program, all students must adhere to the following:
- Provide appropriate documentation to include an official transcript, certificate, or an unofficial document that is verifiable with the issuing agency
- Comply with all other guidelines and policies for enrollment
Take the next steps towards your education
Test Out of Courses with AIU Challenge Exams
Pass AIU Challenge Exams to demonstrate your knowledge and earn credit toward your degree. You could potentially take fewer classes and shorten time to graduation. Talk to an advisor about available challenge exams.
Pass Standardized Tests
AIU offers opportunities to take advantage of pre-college courses or standardized testing, such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, CLEP exams, or DSSTs. Learn more about these exams and other accepted certifications below.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
AP courses offered through eligible high school or pre-college programs can save you time and money. To qualify, you’ll need to:
- Earn a score of 3 or higher on the standardized AP examination related to your AP course
- Submit a copy of an official AP examination score report to the University Registrar
AIU’s Academic Evaluation Team will evaluate your scores. AIU awards college credits based on recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE).
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is a nationally-recognized test designed to see how your prior academic and professional experience translate into college credit. To take a CLEP test and receive credit, you must:
- Work with the Academic Evaluation Team to decide which CLEP tests work best with your degree plan
- Find a CLEP testing center near you
- Take your CLEP test
- Submit an official CLEP score report or have one mailed to the University Registrar
How Do Standardized Test Results Translate to College Grades?
For Advanced Placement (AP) courses, CLEP exams, or DSSTs, if you’re eligible for credit, a grade of “PR” will appear on your transcripts. Contact the AIU Academic Evaluation Team for more information.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)
Like CLEP tests, DSST examinations offer a way to measure your experiential education. To take a DSST exam and receive credit toward your degree, you can work with the Academic Evaluation Team to determine which exams to consider based on your degree plan. You can also submit past DSST results by having them sent directly to the University Registrar.
1 Prior learning, including transfer credits are evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Take the next step. Classes Start July 30, 2025
Complete this form and an AIU Admissions Advisor will contact you and provide further assistance.