Legitimate Distance Education
Life Experience Degrees

In spite of the association that some “life experience” degrees have with diploma mills, the fact is that there are legitimate ways to get online college life skills credits for things you've done in life, beyond what you’ve studied in an official online college or university course.

The key is validation. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the truly valuable distance learning accredited life experience collage degrees will incorporate these elements:

• The university or college offering you life experience on-line degrees is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Credit is given based on standardized tests or your learning level, the presentation of a portfolio, oral exams, learning from a previous credits college courses online or professional certification.
• The credit, life experience degree, degrees for work or any other credit or diploma you get for work or study experience outside the class should equal what you would have received for the same work in a college level course.

A good way to place to find out if a college or university life experience degree is legitimately accredited is to check on the U.S. Department of Education's website.