adjust the length of your studies

There may be ways of shortening the time it takes you to receive your degree. College-equivalent learning can often take place anywhere — on the job, in the military, or in the community. Although the best way to find out about these opportunities is to talk directly with the colleges you are considering, here are some options that may be offered and/or accepted by your college:

• Assessment of Prior Learning. This statewide program is offered by the Vermont State Colleges through their Office of External Programs. It is available throughout the VSC system, including the Community College of Vermont. In a three-credit course, students identify, articulate, and document knowledge and skills they have acquired outside of the college classroom. Many other colleges offer their own credit-for-life-experience programs.

• CLEP and DANTES. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program offering the chance to earn college-level credit for life or work experiences. The Educational Testing Service sponsors a similar program called DANTES (Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support). Your personal reading, on-the-job training, non-college courses or those on TV and taped courses may have prepared you to earn college credit. Each school has its own policy as to which CLEP and/or DANTES tests it will accept for credit, the minimum scores it requires, and the total amount of credit it will award.