University of Phoenix has released a new white paper titled “Untapped Potential: How Credit for Prior Learning Can Redefine Employer Outlook on Professional Development.” The report, authored by Devin Andrews, MBA, M.Ed., Vice President of Admissions and Evaluation at the university, analyzes data from a national survey conducted by The Harris Poll. The survey included responses from 610 human resources managers and 1,195 employees to assess how credit for prior learning (CPL) affects internal mobility, employee retention, and skills development.
The analysis found that 98% of HR managers are aware of CPL. Additionally, 92% agree that degrees or certificates allowing credit for prior learning are as credible as those without such credits.
The white paper points out a gap between employers’ stated priorities and employees’ experiences—especially among working adults who balance jobs, caregiving duties, and other responsibilities while pursuing a degree. According to the report, an estimated 40 million Americans have some college credit but no degree. Many of these credits could be evaluated as CPL to help individuals complete their degrees faster and access more advancement opportunities in the workplace.
“Through an academic admissions and evaluation lens, I see every day how much meaningful learning happens outside the traditional classroom,” said Andrews. “Many of our students are managing full-time work, parenting, military service and community leadership. Credit for prior learning is one way we say to them, what you already know counts. When employers and universities recognize that learning, remove redundant coursework and create clear, credit-bearing pathways, adults can move more quickly toward a degree, and their career aspirations. That is what true credit mobility looks like for working adult learners.”
The report recommends that employers use CPL strategically to foster a culture valuing experience and supporting internal career pathways for working adults. Suggestions include partnering with institutions offering structured CPL processes; making CPL options more visible; aligning CPL with tuition benefits; integrating it into learning strategies; and reassuring employees about the credibility of CPL-inclusive credentials.
Andrews has served as vice president of Admissions and Evaluation at University of Phoenix since 2015 after joining in 1999 as an academic counselor. She has led initiatives focused on technology innovation and transfer credit aimed at improving outcomes for diverse stakeholders—particularly increasing credit mobility opportunities for working adult students. Andrews also contributes content on transfer credit topics nationally through organizations such as AACRAO.
University of Phoenix offers flexible higher education programs designed to support working adults in achieving career goals through online formats and its Arizona campus while accepting credits from various sources (official website). The institution provides over 100 career-focused programs linked to more than 300 professions (official website), seeks to address barriers faced by underserved communities (official website), operates nationwide (official website), holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (official website), maintains headquarters in Phoenix (official website), was founded in 1976 to serve working adults (official website), and is recognized for its flexible online education tailored for this population (official website).
