Alternative Credit Options & Testing

The University of Indianapolis recognizes a number of opportunities for you to earn college credit through testing programs or through prior learning (what you have learned from life and work experiences).

Testing Programs

Three different types of testing programs are available:

National Testing Programs

UIndy participates in three national credit-by-examination programs:

• Educational Testing Service (ETS) College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• DSST Exams (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
• Excelsior College Examinations (formerly Regents Exams)

Currently, UIndy does not offer testing for the ETS CLEP DSST exams. Please refer to ETS, CLEP and DSST testing websites for a list of schools offering the test.

Prior Learning Assessment

If you are a student who has nontraditional learning that meets the necessary criteria, you may be eligible to seek academic credit through the portfolio process. Credit is granted for learning, not experience! The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio process provides you with an opportunity to earn credit for learning outside the confines of a traditional classroom. Benefits of the PLA portfolio include:

• Four times increased likelihood to graduate than those who do not use PLA
• Saving, on average, between 2.5 months to one year in completion time
• Earning a higher grade point average upon completion of your program, which will be listed on your transcript for employers to review and be impressed by
• Potentially reducing the cost of your program significantly

Learn more about Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio

Have Questions?

For more information about testing programs or the Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio process, please contact: