There are two things that most folks going back to school worry about: the time it will take to finish and the money it will cost. One easy way you can save on both time and money is by taking CLEP.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 examinations. In some cases you can also earn credit for knowledge you’ve acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships.

CLEP policies vary widely from school to school – for example, some colleges may limit the total amount of credit you can earn through CLEP exams, or some may grant exemption from a course, but give no credit toward a degree, etc.- so before registering for a CLEP exam, be sure to check with your school to determine which exams are accepted and how much credit they will give you. If you are earning an accelerated degree online, be sure to discuss this matter with your advisor or enrollment counselor.

(source: eLearners.com)

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Adult learners who are considering an online degree and who have already earned some college credits during the course of their careers can greatly decrease the time and money spent it takes to earn an online degree by transferring credits from another school. Most higher learning organizations, including online schools, allow the transferring of credits toward a degree.

Even if you don’t have any previous college experience, it’s still possible to earn credits before you enroll! Many online schools, especially those geared toward adults, give credit for knowledge and skills gained through life experience and technical institutes. Although the experience sought typically comes through paid employment, it may also be acquired through volunteer work, as well as company or military training courses. Each online school’s transfer credit requirements and process vary, so it’s important that you verify before making a final decision on a school.

- Online Learning Tips Staff

The right – and wrong – reasons to make a switch

Program dissatisfaction, new career goals, changes in personal life: There are many reasons why college students transfer to another school. In fact a recent survey from the National Center of Education Statistics shows that nearly 60 percent of college graduates had attended two or more institutions prior to graduation.

For many, transferring to another school means the difference between graduating or not. However, such a decision is not without cost.

“You can lose credits, money and time when you transfer,” says Terry Grant, director of enrollment management at the online American Public University System. “But the gains can be just as great.” Read the full story

Online education gives working adults a valuable key to unlocking a solid career, offering students thousands of degree program choices that are time-flexible, affordable and accredited.

Roughly 20 percent of all college students enrolled for classes in 2006 reported taking some kind of online course, and a survey of chief academic officers indicates that student demand for such online options keeps growing. Read the full story