Community College Students
If you are a graduate of an alliance college, you may combine your associate's degrees with other prior learning to cover up to 75% of the credits needed for a Purdue Global bachelor's degree.
Transfer Students
Your prior college coursework and life experiences can earn you credits that save time and money on your education.
Transfer Credits and Earn Your Degree Faster, for Less
800K
Credits Awarded
Last year we awarded more than 800,000 prior learning credits.*
230 Mil
Dollars Saved
That's a student savings of over $230 million.*
44%
Average Savings
Bachelor's graduates with prior learning credits save an average of 44% on tuition.†
6 Ways to Get the Credit You Deserve
College Credit Transfer
Apply credits you earned at prior institutions toward up to 75% of your undergraduate degree. To begin the process of having your transfer credits evaluated, contact each of your prior institutions and request that your official transcripts be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar.
Community College Alliance Program
Purdue Global has relationships with several community colleges to help you maximize transfer credits and shorten the path to a Purdue Global bachelor's degree.
Work and Life Experience
Leverage your skills to earn your degree faster and save an average of more than $10,500 on tuition for undergraduate programs.‡ Whether you've been working for years or spent time volunteering, our credit for work experience courses can help you finish your degree faster.
Military Training
We recognize that military servicemembers have already undergone some of the most rigorous professional training in the world and award credit for military experience.
Professional Certifications and Training
If you have completed a professional certification or training, you may be eligible for credit toward your degree.
Exams and Course Assessments
You can earn credits by passing standardized exams offered through approved organizations or course assessments available through Purdue Global.
Military Community College Students
If you've already earned an associate's degree, we will evaluate your military transcript as well as your transcript from a prior institution to determine the most efficient path to a Purdue Global bachelor's degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many credits can I apply toward my degree?
Credits earned through prior coursework or experience can count toward a maximum of 75% of an undergraduate program or 50% of a graduate program. Program and state-specific exceptions may apply. Refer to the University Catalog for more information.
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How do I know if credits earned at a prior institution will transfer to Purdue Global?
Courses must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to transfer:
- Completed at an accredited institution
- Included on an official transcript
- Carry a grade of "C-" or better for undergraduate courses, or "B" or better for graduate courses; Purdue Global will consider grades of "Pass," "Credit," or similar, on an individual basis
- Must be 100-level or higher and not considered remedial, college preparatory, or not at a college level
- Relevant to your program of study and equivalent to the course requirements of your program
- Fit into your degree plan
- Meet any additional program-specific requirements
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How do semester credits transfer to Purdue Global?
Purdue Global courses are made up of quarter credits. A semester credit is equal to 1.5 quarter credits. As an example, if you have 60 semester credits that you expect to transfer, that would equal 90 quarter credits at Purdue Global.
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How do I request a transfer credit evaluation?
You will need to request an official transcript from each college or university that you attended in the past. An Advisor can provide you with the College and University Transcript Request Form to assist in this process.
Official transcripts must be sent to the Office of the Registrar at the following address:
Purdue University Global
Office of the Registrar
550 West Van Buren Street, 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607Transcripts must arrive sealed and sent directly from the registrar of the academic institution that awarded the credits.
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When do I need to submit my transcripts or other proof of prior learning?
You must provide evidence of prior learning prior to the first day of the course for which the credit is intended; however, we strongly recommend that you provide your official transcripts to the Office of the Registrar by the last day of the first term. After this point, in certain cases, we may deny you the opportunity for a transfer credit evaluation due to course scheduling factors.
If you wish to submit a portfolio for experiential learning credit, you are strongly encouraged to enroll in a credit for work experience course in your first two terms.
Related Articles NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Source: Office of Reporting and Analysis, November 2019. 2018–2019 academic year. Savings calculation is based on the number of credits awarded in the period: 838,069 quarter credit hours = $230 million. Savings reflect reductions for Indiana residents, military-related students, and certain employees of preselected corporations, institutions, and organizations engaged in an educational alliance. See University Catalog for Prior Learning Assessment policy.
†Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in 2018–2019 and applied eligible prior learning (transfer, experiential, or credit by exam) credits saved an average of $29,000 toward the total degree. Campus tuition and prior learning savings vary by location. Savings based on overall cost of completion without prior learning credit. Calculation based on total prior learning credit times cost per credit in student’s program of study. Individual savings will vary. Calculation includes campus and military students. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.
‡In 2018, incoming Purdue Global students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for evaluation earned an average of 33 quarter credit hours toward their Purdue Global undergraduate degrees. Based on these experiential learning credits, tuition savings for nonmilitary students were on average $10,743.00. Tuition savings calculated as 33 quarter credit hours x standard tuition rate of $371.00 = $12,243.00 - $1,500.00 course fee = $10,743.00. Savings for students vary depending on the student’s individual prior learning experience. Savings for 2018 incoming Indiana students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for review were $7,260.00. Savings for 2018 incoming military students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for review ranged from $5,445.00 to $7,590.00. Eligible college credits articulate into Purdue Global undergraduate degree plans. Note: these figures include data reported prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global. Savings dependent on credit awards, which are dependent on individual circumstances. See University Catalog for Prior Learning Assessment policy. See www.purdueglobal.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition-reduction for course fee refund policy.