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Prior-Learning Credit for Military Students

AIU military students can receive transfer credit for previous college, work and/or military experience*.

General Info

As an AIU military student, there are five main ways you can potentially earn prior-learning credit*:

  • Transfer qualifying past college credits
  • Receive credit based on your qualifying military experience with AIU’s MOS Pledge
  • Pass a proficiency exam for a specific subject
  • Compile a portfolio to potentially receive credit based on professional experience outside the military
  • Receive credit based on your qualifying certifications

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.


Submit your past college transcripts for evaluation.

During the admissions process you can submit unofficial transcripts for an evaluation by the Prior Learning Assessment Team.

Eligible credits may be accepted from any accredited U.S. institution recognized by the Department of Education. AIU will also consider requests for transfer credit from international institutions of higher education*.

Basic Requirements

  • A grade of “C” or higher for undergraduate courses (2.0 on a 4.0 scale)
  • Coursework at the freshman level or higher (No pre-college or remedial courses.)

How many credits can be transferred?

Associate Degrees

Up to 75% of the degree program’s credit requirements

Bachelor's Degrees

Up to 75% of the degree program’s credit requirements

Master’s Degrees

Up to 12 credit hours


Maximize Your Experience For Transfer Credit

The American Council on Education (ACE) works with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to make recommendations on how military training experience translates into college credit. At AIU, we use those ACE recommendations to award transfer credit for your eligible experience and training.

AIU’s Prior Learning Assessment team will review your past experience for potential college transfer credit including:

  • Joint Services transcript (with MOS, AFSC, or NEC)
    For example, a US Army M1 Armor Crewman (19K-004) will automatically save 20% (at least 36 credits) toward a Bachelor of Business Administration degree plus any additional credits for other work or qualifying college experience
  • Prior college coursework
  • CLEP and DANTES exams
  • Certifications
  • Prior work experience

Use these links to have official and unofficial copies of your military transcripts submitted to AIU.

**You may need to create an exception for this website in your browser. To do so, follow the steps below based on the internet browser you are using:
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Firefox browser: On the warning page, click “Advanced”. Click “Add Exception”. When the Add Security Exception dialog appears, click “View”. The Certificate Dialog will appear.
Internet Explorer: When you see the “There is a problem with this website’s security certificate” page, click on “Continue to this website (not recommended)”

AIU is not responsible for the security of external websites.


DSST Examinations

Like CLEP tests, DSST examinations offer a way to demonstrate knowledge you’ve gained outside the classroom. You can work with your Prior Learning Assessment Specialist to figure out which exams would be worthwhile to pursue, based on your degree plan.

Talk to your Education Services Officer or Test Control Officer for more information and testing procedures. Study materials and practice examinations are available at most of these offices. Also, military personnel can take DSSTs free of charge.

You can also submit past DSST results by having them sent directly to the University Registrar.

How do DSST results translate to college grades?
If you’re eligible for credit, a grade of “PR” will appear on your transcripts. The course won’t be factored into your GPA.


CLEP Tests

The CLEP is a nationally-recognized test that allows you to take exams and get college credit.

  • Work with your Prior Learning Assessment Specialist 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.

For eligible military students, your first CLEP test will be free. Talk to your Education Services Officer or Test Control Officer for more information and testing procedures.

How do CLEP scores translate to college grades?

If you’re eligible for credit, a grade of “PR” will appear on your transcripts. The course won’t be factored into your GPA.


Other Professional Experience

You can also receive course credit for your qualifying work experience outside the military*. In order to receive credit, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of work that:

  • Relates specifically to the objectives of a course taught at AIU
  • Demonstrates your mastery of specific learning outcomes of a course at AIU
  • An AIU subject-matter expert will evaluate the portfolio to determine if your experience is similar to what you would learn in a comparable AIU course.

Certifications

We’ll consider your military and professional certifications alongside your military transcript and work portfolio. See the University Catalog for more details.

* Transfer credit is 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 June 7, 2023

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Classes Start June 7, 2023

Military affiliation includes active duty, veteran, spouse of military or veteran, or anyone eligible to receive military benefits.