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Save Time and Tuition: Earn College Credit for Prior Learning

At the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University, we understand that learning happens everywhere. If you’ve built a career, served in the military, earned certifications, or gained valuable life experience, you may already be closer to your degree than you realize. 

Many adult learners are surprised to learn how much of their professional experience can translate into academic credit. Organizations like CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) provide helpful insights into how prior learning assessments work and why they matter in higher education.

Why Start From Scratch? 

Every credit you earn through prior learning is a step closer to graduation. We can help you save time, reduce tuition costs, and avoid repeating what you already know. Our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process helps you: 

  • Save thousands in tuition by earning credit for your experience 
  • Graduate faster and move forward with your goals 
  • Focus on new learning instead of repeating old material 
  • Get recognized for your real-world knowledge and skills 

What Qualifies for Credit? 

You may be eligible to receive credit for: 

  • Five or more years of professional experience
  • Military service and training 
  • Certifications and licenses 
  • Volunteer work and community leadership 
  • Entrepreneurship and business ownership 
  • Internships, apprenticeships, and corporate training 

We also accept transfer credits from accredited institutions and exams such as AP, CLEP, and IB. 

Real Experience. Real Credit. Real Progress. 

Whether you are transferring from another college, transitioning from the military, or returning to school after time in the workforce, our advisors will work with you to evaluate your experience and maximize your credit potential. 

Active Military Soldier using Laptop

The more credit you bring in, the fewer courses you need to take. That means you can finish your degree sooner and start applying it to your career goals. 

Your Degree, Your Way 

Our flexible, career-focused degree programs are designed for working professionals. With online options, personalized advising, and a commitment to recognizing your achievements, we make it easier to earn your degree on your terms. 

Ready to See How Far You’ve Already Come? 

Schedule your free, individualized credit assessment today with our advising team and find out how much time and money you could save. 

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Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies Honors Class of 2025

Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies celebrated the class of 2025 on Thursday, May 8, at its 77th annual Convocation Ceremony. In total, 182 students were recognized for completing their program of study in 2025, representing seven schools and colleges within the University.

Dean Michael Frasciello congratulated the graduating class and honored the families earning their degrees and certificates. Hand in hand with their children, graduates walked across the stage. A powerful and uplifting moment that reminded the audience that no obstacle is too great and that with determination and heart, anything is possible.

B.P.S. graduate Catherine Ancillotti, motivated the class of 2025 and reflected on her ten-year journey during her student speech.

“I stand before you, having attended three colleges, completed 50 courses, attended over 200 live Zoom sessions, and spent thousands of hours studying. I finally made it to the end,” Ancillotti said. “No matter what the future holds for you, persevere through the tough times and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!”

To view the live streamed convocation ceremony, visit go.syr.edu/uc/convocation2025.


College Marshal

Robert Louis Salvato

Student Speaker

Catherine Ancillotti


Student Recognition

Nancy C. Gelling Award

Recognition of the Part-time commuter student with the highest grade point average

Samantha Anne Bonocora

Diane M. Malikow

Alumni Scholars

Members of the Class of 2025 with the highest grade point averages

Kathleen Brody

Alexander Lee Cook

Guy Mitchell George

Jvne Melendez

Samantha Marie Mills

Matthew Joseph Pallotta

Jennette Lee Peters

Troy Charles Quinn

Robert Louis Salvato

Eric Tremblay


College of Professional Studies Service Awards

Service awards were presented to those who serve as academic pillars in the Syracuse University community.

Dean’s Excellence Award

Anne Collins

Senior Functional Business Analyst | Bursar & Registration

Faculty Excellence Award

Karen deJarnette

Bachelor of Professional Studies Instructor

Life After Graduation: What Every Graduate Needs to Know

Susan Conklin Portrait

College and career paths aren’t always straightforward, but good guidance makes all the difference. In this Q&A session, Professor Susan Conklin, a professor of management, organizational development, and cultural studies, offers guidance on life after graduation.

From managing career choices to dealing with burnout and imposter syndrome, Professor Conklin offers thoughtful, practical advice drawn from years of experience in and beyond the classroom.


How can I leverage my new degree to change careers or move up?  

    First, recognize and acknowledge the valuable skills that you’ve accumulated getting to this point. Focus on the combination of your work experience and new credentials. Create a tailored résumé highlighting transferable skills, accomplishments, and how your education adds value. Consider your technical skills as well as your durable, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Network and use platforms like LinkedIn to tell your story – why you pursued your degree and what your goals are.

    What are some strategies for staying motivated and productive after graduation, especially when the next steps aren’t clear?

    Big life changes can leave us feeling unbalanced or disoriented. Keep your ultimate goals in mind. Set small milestones each day to consistently keep yourself moving forward. Completing your degree took motivation, courage, and hard work, so you know you can do it. Use those same skills to create momentum and remember to celebrate wins along the way!

    How can I continue to learn and grow after graduation, even if I don’t go to grad school?

    Many students are life-long learners and continue their education simply because they love to learn. Grad school is one option, but there are many other opportunities to continue to learn and grow. Microcredentials and certificate programs are great options to continue your development; they focus on specific skills that earn credentials and are often stackable, serving as an intermediate path to a degree. You can choose options based on personal or professional interests, and they take less time to complete than a degree program. Employers are increasingly seeing value in these types of credentials.

    How do I deal with imposter syndrome?

    We are often our own worst critics. Acknowledge your achievements and what you’ve already accomplished. Balancing school, work, family and community obligations is no small feat. Seek out support from peers, mentors, support groups, professional organizations, or formal mentorship programs to remind yourself you’re not alone. Ask for feedback from trusted individuals to see yourself more objectively and be open to constructive criticism – see it as a gift and an opportunity to improve and grow.

    What should I focus on in my first year after graduation to set myself up for long-term career success?

    Focus on setting goals and identifying the small steps you need to take to create the life you’ve imagined. Establish new productive habits that you may not have had time for as a student. Stay open and take advantage of opportunities, even unexpected ones, that may lead you in a new direction. Keep the momentum going!  

    Is it okay not to know exactly what you want to do after graduation?

    Certainly! Many of us have taken the proverbial “long and winding road” to find our true calling or our ultimate career. You can learn and take something of value from every experience you have (good and bad). Learn all you can from those experiences and let them guide you to the next step on your path forward.

    How important is networking after college?

    Building and maintaining relationships is important, both personally and professionally. You likely spent extensive time and built friendships with some of your classmates, and you’ve shared many of the same challenges and experiences. Take opportunities to stay connected with the friends (and even faculty) you’ve met during your academic experience. You may serve as a resource and provide opportunities for each other, and you may ultimately become colleagues and coworkers.

    What’s one piece of advice you wish every student could take with them after graduating?

    Student life can be complex. Many of you are non-traditional students who returned to the classroom while raising children, working full-time jobs, caring for aging parents, or navigating chapters of life that others never see. You have already demonstrated more resilience and self-discipline than many give you credit for. That’s not just impressive, it’s transformational.

    Trust that the same strength that brought you through college will serve you in everything you do next. Whether you’re stepping into a new career, seeking a promotion, launching a business, or simply embracing the satisfaction of having finished what you started, know that your capacity to learn, adapt, and grow is now a permanent part of you. The world may not always recognize the invisible mountains you’ve climbed, but don’t let that make you small; let it make you fierce. Let it remind you that you can always begin again, even when the path looks uncertain.

    Congratulations on your accomplishments. You didn’t just earn a degree; you redefined what it means to show up for your future. Best wishes for your continued success!

    Crafting a Purposeful Life: One Veteran’s Path Through Service, Art, and Leadership

    a male student in graduation regalia

    As the College of Professional Studies student marshal, Robert Salvato embodies the spirit of dedication and leadership. A veteran, artist, and leader, Salvato’s path has been anything but ordinary. Yet throughout his diverse journey, Salvato has remained grounded in two constants: a deep passion for meaningful work and a commitment to purpose-driven living.

    In this Q&A, Salvato reflects on the experiences that have shaped him, the values that connect each chapter of his life, and how earning a B.P.S. in project management is guiding his next steps.


    Your journey has been incredibly diverse, from military service to interactive sculpting, farming, museum management, and now project management. What has been the common thread tying all these experiences together?

    The common threads have been twofold.  First, following what I love to do and what inspires me.  My love for service and adventure led me to join the Navy, and my passion for creativity and expression led me to the museum and then to creating my own artwork.

    Second was dedicating myself to connecting with a place and allowing things to unfold.  When my wife and I purchased an abandoned farm with a dilapidated old farmhouse twenty-plus years ago, I determined that I would interact with the resources on the property and let them and my imagination guide me.  The native trees contained tonal qualities on par with exotic imported woods, perfect for musical instrument making. Some trees are considered “invasive” but are rot-resistant and sinuously curvy, naturally sculptural and inviting. The soil had failed the previous generations because it wasn’t receptive to conventional farming techniques, but it became abundant and fertile with a patient and organic approach.

    What drives your dedication to academic excellence, and how has your life journey, service in the U.S. Navy and your time at Syracuse University shaped you as a leader?

    In the Navy, I learned the importance of attention to detail and how rewarding it is to give all of yourself and your very best to a mission. I try to apply those concepts to all of my endeavors. Academic excellence comes from following directions, organizing an approach, and giving the best effort possible.

    My time in the U.S. Navy exposed me to many leadership styles, which shaped me as a leader. I observed others in leadership roles, assessed their effectiveness, and eventually tried out my own. My diverse background allows me to connect with people from many different walks of life, and empathy guides my leadership decisions. My time at Syracuse has shaped my leadership style through the level of professionalism I have experienced in my classmates and instructors.  I learned how to define the different leadership styles and be intentional in deciding how to lead. The classes in Coaching for Leaders introduced me to new methodologies and resources that I can reference in the future. The study abroad in Florence put me in a unique situation as a “non-traditional” student. Being substantially older than my classmates, I felt obligated to set an example and offer leadership to the other students where appropriate.

    As someone who has successfully balanced entrepreneurship, education, and service, what advice would you give to students who are looking to carve out their own unique career paths?

    The advice I would offer students who are looking to carve out their own unique career paths is to:

    Trust in yourself to do great things.  You are capable of much more than you give yourself credit for. Allow yourself to succeed.

    Create an environment that allows you to block out negativity and take risks (minimize debt, control your social media, surround yourself with positive colleagues or partners).

    Volunteer! It’s a great way to engage with people and organizations that inspire you.

    Learn to say no to things that don’t align with your vision.

    Utilize the power of networking outside your normal circle; everyone has an interesting story, something to teach, and something in common. This has led me to many synergistic opportunities.

    Looking ahead, how do you see your skills in project management, leadership, and creativity shaping your future? Are there any exciting projects or goals on the horizon?

    I always have several projects in process and on the horizon.

    I was recently accepted into Syracuse’s Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation graduate program. I hope to gain the tools that will allow me to utilize my unique talents to create inspiring and engaging content that supports diverse learners and drives meaningful change in educational settings. 

    Looking ahead, I see my project management skills helping me to plan, organize, and execute complex initiatives effectively, while my leadership abilities will enable me to engage teams with empathy and vision. My creativity will continue to be a driving force in developing innovative learning experiences. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work on immersive learning technologies and cross-cultural design projects that make education more accessible and impactful. Teaching in higher education has also been a latent goal.

    2025 Alpha Sigma Lambda Inductees Recognized by College of Professional Studies

    Dean Michael Frasciello with College of Professional Studies students at the 2025 Alpha Sigma Lambda reception.

    Alpha Sigma Lambda is the nation’s largest and oldest chapter-based honor society for non-traditional students. The Society was founded in 1945-46 and today has more than 300 institutional chapters. The Syracuse University chapter is the Beta Delta Chapter and was established in 1977.

    Alpha Sigma Lambda’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work. Alpha Sigma Lambda is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By so doing, this Society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate and bachelor’s degrees.

    To be considered for membership a candidate must be matriculated and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours and represent the top twenty percent of the class, with a minimum grade point index of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

    On April 24, the College of Professional Studies recognized the following students at the 2025 Alpha Sigma Lambda reception:

    David Dresselhaus

    Elijah Benjamin

    Christie Chafee

    Jonathan Schulz

    Zachary Carrington

    Markeeta McBurrows

    Candace Stell

    Edward Brisson

    Joel Herrera

    Jacob Stutsman

    Mason Turman

    Kristopher Plantz

    Samantha Tober

    Laura Mack