Your life experience may qualify for credit
With everything you’ve accomplished in life, you may feel like you’ve earned a life experience degree.
Browse our library of topics and write a short, first-person journal telling us what you’ve learned. Then, submit it to us for potential college credit. Choose from hundreds of approved topics, including leadership, office administration, parenting, and nutrition.
Your life experience may qualify for credit
With everything you’ve accomplished in life, you may feel like you’ve earned a life experience degree.
Browse our library of topics and write a short, first-person journal telling us what you’ve learned. Then, submit it to us for potential college credit. Choose from hundreds of approved topics, including leadership, office administration, parenting, and nutrition.
Choose an approved journal topic
Each topic could earn you one to three credits. You may have more experience than you think.
Topics include American Sign Language, interviewing, proposal writing and public speaking.
Topics include history of religion, appreciation of the arts, contemporary Southwest cultures and many more.
Topics include sales, management and retail principles, as well as personal experiences including photography, genealogy, parenting a special-needs child and many more.
Topics include weight management, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), horticulture and many more.
Topics include dance, martial arts, self-defense, a variety of recreational and competitive sports and many more.
Topics include computer networks, database systems, electrical and engineering systems and many more.
Topics include parenting, health and aging, the legislative process, working women and family lifestyles and many more.
How to get started
Not a student yet?
Apply to the University
Because we’re built for working adults, we understand that knowledge doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Your life experiences are a valuable source of learning, too.
One of the benefits of being a Phoenix is that we’ll help you find tuition-saving credits.
If you’re ready to get started, apply now. Have more questions? Give us a call at 844-937-8679.
Already a student?
Step 1
Call your academic counselor
After you’ve completed your application, call your academic counselor at 800-366-9699. We’ll take a look at your specific degree program, your remaining credit requirements and your life experience that could translate to credit.
Step 2
Write a brief autobiography
Introduce yourself through a short, 500-word autobiography. You’ll write this just once with your initial PLA application, even if you write more than one journal for potential credit.
Step 3
Write your journal submission
Describe the knowledge you’ve gained by writing a short, first-person journal. You’ll also upload supporting documents that validate what you’ve learned. Ready to take a deeper look? View sample submissions and guidelines.
Step 4
Pay the one-time fee
There is no cost to apply for PLA. If your PLA submission is approved for credit, you’ll pay a one-time $99 fee.
