Life experience degree programs are available at most accredited online colleges today. Using them can help you earn your distance degree more quickly—and at considerable cost savings.

Why have most online universities developed life experience college credit assessment programs? Today, the majority of "college kids" are 24 years old or older. In online bachelors degree programs, the average “college kid” is an adult student, about 36 years old. The average online masters degree student is 40 years old.

If you’re an adult “college kid," chances are excellent that you’ve acquired specialized college level knowledge on the job for your career—or through independent reading or hobbies. Your life experience and work experience—corporate training, professional licenses, etc.—can be converted into real college degree credits.

Valid credit for life experience degree programs can make an online degree much more affordable. Here are five ways to turn what you've learned in life and work experience into valid online college course credit.