LEAP: Credit for Prior Experience

Life Experience Acceleration Path

Eastern Florida recognizes that valid learning can take place in non-traditional and non-collegiate environments. The Life-Experience Acceleration Path, better known as the LEAP program, helps students accelerate their education by utilizing Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) mechanisms. These assess and award college credit to students for their college-level learning that may have been acquired through work experience, prior education, military training, or industry certifications.

Explore the common PLA mechanisms and credit evaluation guidelines below. Plus, you can fill out our LEAP form to request assistance or email us at leap@easternflorida.edu

Submit the LEAP Inquiry Form

Prior Learning Assessment Credit Evaluation Guidelines

A maximum of 45 semester hours of combined accelerated credit, or other means of earning credit may be applied toward an associate degree that requires 60 or more credit hours. Students must complete at least 25 percent of their degree through courses taken at EFSC.

Eastern Florida reserves the right to evaluate credit from accelerated means other than those listed below. Students are welcome to submit documentation and official records for consideration. Examination scores must be submitted on an official score report from the organization administering the examination. Accelerated credit is posted to the academic record along with the source of the credit.

Students transferring to another institution after being awarded accelerated credit should review the transfer guidelines maintained by the receiving institution. Acceptance of credit awarded through any accelerated mechanism is dependent upon the policies of the other colleges and universities, even if the credit appears on a transcript from Eastern Florida. The decision to accept transfer credit is made by the receiving institution.

Not all applications for accelerated credit requests will be approved. A maximum of 45 semester hours of combined credit from accelerated mechanisms and/or prior learning assessment can be applied toward a degree.

The following mechanisms are recognized at EFSC for awarding accelerated credit:

• Credit by Exam (national standardized exams such as IB, CLEP, DSST, AP, AICE, etc.)
• Credit by Institutional Exam (also called Challenge Exams)
• Credit for Military Training & Experience
• Workforce Training (American Council on Education (ACE)
• Articulated Credit Agreements (Credit for Licensure, Certifications or Third Party Training)
• High School Advanced Standing Credit
• Credit or Clock Hours for Law Enforcement Experience