Alternative Degree Pathways

The Degree Completion Program (DCP) provides a more focused pathway for students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program to earn their undergraduate degree. Students are able to apply college credits previously earned from an accredited institution, as well as credits earned for life experience through the College’s Prior Learning Assessment Program, towards an eligible degree program. The DCP provides a solid foundation in academic coursework in conjunction with interdisciplinary courses that focus on the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree offered at the College in their chosen academic discipline.

Degree Completion Programs are currently available for the following bachelor's degree majors:

• Communication and Media Studies
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education and Care (GPS only)
• English
• Human Resource Management (GPS only)
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Marketing
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Sport Management (Boston Campus only)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a Degree Completion Program?

The Degree Completion Program allows you to utilize most or all of the credits you have previously earned when those credits would not transfer into a traditional degree program. This saves you save time and money! 

Should I apply for the Degree Completion Program?

If you have attended other colleges and have completed 30+ college credits we encourage you to apply. Your admissions officer will help you determine if a Degree Completion Program is right for you.

If I am accepted into a Degree Completion Program, what courses will I take to earn my degree?

If you are accepted into the DCP program, you will fulfill the required credits with a combination of up to 90 transfer credits and specifically identified courses to be completed at Fisher College. A DCP evaluator will review all applications to determine eligibility and provide a degree plan.

Will all of my previously earned credits be accepted for transfer?

Fisher College will accept up to 90 transfer credits for bachelor's degree candidates. Only courses from an accredited institution with a final grade of C- or higher will be consider for transfer. All previously earned credits may not be accepted for transfer if your previous area of study vastly differs from the major you wish to pursue at Fisher. In that case, the DCP evaluator will include as many transfer credits as possible and you will complete the necessary foundation coursework at Fisher, in addition to the remaining courses required to complete your chosen degree.

Eligibility

• Students must be at least 25 years of age
• Have earned at least 30 college-level credits from accredited institutions, with a GPA of 2.3 or better
• Have at least three years of progressive work experience

Contact Us

To inquire further or to speak with an admissions officer please contact online@fisher.edu or call 508-699-6200.

Application for Prior Learning Credit

Fisher College recognizes life and work experiences are a valuable component to one’s education. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) evaluates training and learning that occurs outside the traditional classroom and assesses how that knowledge relates to specific course content for college credit. Students gain college-level knowledge from a variety of sources.

Common ways students may be eligible to earn credit through the PLA program are full- or part-time employment, non-credit courses, volunteer work, military service, organizational membership, hobbies or recreational pursuits, and travel study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits could I earn through PLA?

Bachelor degree candidates may compete for up to 30 PLA credits. The combination of PLA credits and transfer credits may not exceed 90 credits. 

Associate degree candidates may compete for up to 15 PLA credits. The combination of PLA credits and transfer credits may not exceed 30 credits. 

How do I earn credits through PLA?

First, you will identify the course(s) you believe you have gained college-level knowledge through life or work experiences. For each course, you will prepare a well-documented Portfolio Assessment that demonstrates your knowledge of the learning objectives required in the course. You must submit an application for approval to complete a Portfolio Assessment for each course. The Portfolio Assessment will be reviewed by appropriately qualified faculty to make a determination on awarding course credits. Credit will be awarded through sufficient demonstration of college-level learning standards; not for experience alone. No credit is guaranteed to be approved for credit.

What is the cost for PLA?

If approved to complete a Portfolio Assessment, you will be charged $100 per credit for the evaluation process. The evaluation fee is non-refundable should a portfolio not be approved for credit. 

How do I apply for PLA?

To be eligible, students must be accepted and enrolled in a degree program. Interested students may submit an application for Prior Learning Credit to the Dean of International Academic Operations and Curriculum Development. Please reach out to your academic advisor or Dean Nancy Pithis (npithis@fisher.edu) for additional information.

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility, and if approved, you will be advised on the next steps to begin building your portfolio. 

Experiential Credit for Internships

Bachelor's degree students who have graduated from the Police Academy are eligible to apply for PLA credit for CJ460 Criminal Justice Internship I and CJ461 Criminal Justice Internship II. There is no fee associated with this process.

To Apply, students must submit:

• A complete Police Academy transcript
• Police Academy program overview, hours, and course descriptions
• A resume and cover letter that includes a formal introduction of your experience and the documents you are submitting to support your petition for credit. 
• Email all documents to Dean Nancy Pithis, npithis@fisher.edu.

PLA Credits for Criminal Justice Courses

Police officers, whether or not they have graduated from the Police Academy, may petition for PLA credits for any criminal justice course that is not an internship. Students interested in pursing these PLA credits will complete a Portfolio Assessment along with answers to a set of specific questions for the course you are competing for PLA credits.

Please see the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) section above for answers to frequently asked questions and to submit an application.

ECE PLA Application

Students who have been awarded their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in either infant/toddler or Preschool, are eligible to apply for PLA credit for up to 7 credits, including a practicum (4 credits) for the age group the CDA is awarded in, and one other Early Childhood Education course (3 credits). There is no fee associated with this process.

To apply, students must submit:

• ECE PLA Application
• CDA certificate that is current and in good standing
• Email all documents to your academic advisor