General Information

Students entering the Division of Labor Studies may be awarded academic credit for previous college-level learning and life experience. The awarding of credit for prior learning varies by individual student, degree program, and campus. The general guidelines for awarding credit for prior learning are as follows:

Bachelor of Science Degree
Up to 30 credit hours may be awarded for Self-Acquired Competency in courses such as the following:

• Collective Bargaining
• Grievance Representation
• Leadership and Representation

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Self-Acquired Competency in Labor Studies Courses

Self-Acquired Competency (SAC) can be awarded for learning gained outside of the university setting, such as learning derived from union activities. Students must demonstrate and document that their learning is equivalent to college-level material. To be considered for SAC, students must:

• Be admitted to the DLS and have successfully completed 4 DLS credit hours before applying for SAC.
• Be in good academic standing.
• Prepare an extensive portfolio under the guidance of a faculty member.
• Be interviewed and approved by two faculty members of the DLS.
• Pay tuition for the academic credit awarded.

Applying Credit for Prior Learning

Military or law enforcement training may be awarded for up to 6 credit hours upon submitting the DD-214 forms.

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) can be taken in a variety of subjects. Credits will be awarded to students based on Indiana University guidelines.

Several noncollegiate educational programs, which appear in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs, will be seriously considered.

Previously awarded credit within the IU system is honored by the DLS.

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Transfer of Credit

Credit earned at other institutions will be evaluated by the appropriate Indiana University admissions office. If the course work is in the field of labor studies, it will be evaluated by the DLS. The DLS will prepare a detailed plan of study for each transfer student.

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