"If experience is the world's greatest teacher, then your experiences may well qualify you for college credit. The nationally recognized DSST Program allows you to receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of 38 exams in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities."

A form of prior learning assessment, DSSTs offer students a cost effective, time saving way to use their knowledge acquired outside of the classroom (perhaps from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study) to accomplish their educational goals. Students who take and pass a DSST exam are given college credit applied toward their degree.

Over 2,000 colleges and universities recognize the DSST program and award college credit for passing scores. Colleges, universities and corporations throughout the United States and in some other countries administer tests year-round.

The test fee to take a DSST is $80. Administering institutions may charge a test administration fee according to their school policy.

The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for all 38 DSST exams. The American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and to influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives. ACE CREDIT connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping adults gain access to academic credit at colleges and universities for formal courses and examinations taken in the workplace or other settings outside traditional higher education.

Follow These Steps to Accelerate Your Degree

1. Choose which exams are relevant to the degree you are pursuing or the experience you've had.

2. Contact your college or university to learn about their credit awarding policy. The exams are likely delivered at your learning institution or one close by.

3. Download the Test Taker Information Bulletin which contains an outline of all DSST exams available and recommended study material available.

4. Register at SCORE TESTING CENTER and schedule your exam. There are more than 1,200 test centers nationwide. Exams are $80 and the test center may have an additional sitting fee to administer the exam.

5. Earn credits for a passing score and spend your time and tuition dollars on courses you really need to take. Now that's what we call accelerating your degree!

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