Alternative Credit Options

Finish faster and for less by taking advantage of what you already know.

CSU-Global accepts some forms of alternative credit -- test scores, military experience, IT certifications -- that would allow you to earn a degree sooner and save on costs by using your previous skills and experiences. Please note that these credits can be used in addition to community college transfer credits, but cannot exceed the overall transfer credit maximum. Alternative credit options allow you to demonstrate competency, knowledge, prior experience, and independent learning in a particular subject area.

DOWNLOAD THE ALTERNATIVE & PROFESSIONAL CREDIT GUIDE This guide outlines nationally accepted credits and certificates approved by the American Council on Education (ACE), the State of Colorado and/or CSU-Global.
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CSU-Global Self Study Assessments (SSA)

CSU-Global will help you prepare to earn course credits for taking a proctored exam and scoring 70% or above for specific content areas. You’ll receive up to 16 weeks to complete Self-Study Assessment exams, and CSU-Global offers study materials as well as a suggested textbook. Self-Study Assessments are considered nonresident credits, and they will apply toward an undergraduate degree at CSU-Global. If you transfer to another institution, that receiving institution may or may not accept your Self-Study Assessment credits, at their discretion.

CSU-Global Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

If you have previous professional experience and studies, CSU-Global provides an online prior learning assessment program, that allows you to earn college credits. We want to work with you to maximize what you have already learned in your career, independent study or other educational experience.

With PLA, you can demonstrate with a collection of professional artifacts and documentation, that you have the skills and knowledge from previous experiences to count as credit toward your degree.

Credit by Exam

You can get credit by taking exams for what you have already learned. Acceptance of credit is based on scores, the degree being pursued, and when the credit was received. Click here to see all Credit by Exam options or download the accepted GT Pathways Transfer sheets for CLEP and DSST below:

Additional Non-collegiate Credit

Non-Collegiate credit other than exam or military service credit, such as non-collegiate courses, corporate trainings, certifications, professional licenses, etc., may be considered for transfer toward a bachelor's degree.

Military Credit

Download the JST Transfer List

As a military-friendly university, we may be able to count your military experience and training as credits toward your degree. We evaluate your military transcripts to help you use your military experience toward a fulfilling civilian career.

The American Council on Education (ACE) reviews training courses and occupational experiences and makes a credit recommendation for potential college transfer.

CSU-Global may accept credits for military service that have been evaluated. Content of credit accepted in transfer may not duplicate coursework previously taken. Military service credit is evaluated when official copies of transcripts from military schools are received.

The ACE Military Guide allows you to research a training course you may have taken, or your current occupation, using the ACE ID number listed on your military transcript. ACE also provides a list of frequently asked questions and a Transfer Guide to help you better understand your military service credit.

Please note that a credit recommendation by ACE is not a guarantee, but it does help to evaluate your military transcripts for possible credit transfer. Please review the Academic Catalog for our transfer policies.

• Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine personnel should submit a Joint Services Transcript. To order a Joint Services Transcript, go to https://jst.doded.mil/
• Air Force personnel should submit a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript. To order a CCAF transcript, go to http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.
  
  Please note: CCAF is a regionally accredited institution and is therefore not considered a nontraditional source of credit. CCAF credits will count toward the up to 90 total credits CSU-Global may accept in transfer toward a bachelor's degree.

Information Technology Certifications

CSU-Global may accept credit for IT certifications. Students must submit official documentation reporting successful completion of each certification earned . Content of credit accepted in transfer may not duplicate previously accepted or completed coursework. See the table below for accepted IT certifications and their equivalent CSU-Global course credits.

Course Code	Title	Transfer Credit Certificate
ITS310	Introduction to Computer-Based Systems	CompTIA A+
ITS315	Introduction to Networks	CompTIA Network+, CCNA
ITS320	Basic Programming	N/A
ITS350	Information Systems Security	CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CASP, CISSP, CISM, CEH, CISA
ITS400	Information Technology Project Management	CompTIA Project+, PMP, Six Sigma Green Belt
ITS410	Database Management	Microsoft Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL 2012 Databases
ITS420	Advanced Networking Systems	CompTIA Linux+
ITS430	Network Enterprise Solutions	Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Enterprise Administrator
ITS439	Virtualization Technology Fundamentals	VMware Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals certification
ITS441	Cloud Technology Fundamentals	CompTIA Cloud+ certification
ITS443	Server Virtualization Technologies	Microsoft Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 exam 70-246

For more detailed information about alternative credit options, please contact your advisor or see the Academic Catalog.

Please note that each alternative credit type is included, along with community college transfer credit, toward the 90 credit transfer limit. Each type of alternative credit has its own limited amount we can accept in transfer. All credits count toward CSU-Global’s overall transfer credit maximum. Contact your academic advisor or refer to the current academic catalog for additional information about alternative credit options.

While we will work with you to maximize the amount of transfer credits toward your degree, we cannot guarantee that all forms of credit are accepted.