Nontraditional education credits can be earned in many ways. Some methods of assessing learning for credit are objective, such as standardized texts; others are more objective, such as a review of life experiences. Options for earning a high school diploma without spending 4 years in a classroom are as follows: General Educational Development programs; skills demonstration through the National External Diploma Program; and correspondence and distance study. The college picture includes credit through classwork or experience and college degree programs. Adults can receive college credit for what they know by passing examinations and documenting experiential learning through credit: credit for prior college coursework; credit for noncollege courses; credit by examination, including five national testing programs, college and university credit-by-exam programs, and government institute proficiency exams; and credit for experience. Nontraditional students who choose to earn a college degree should evaluate colleges' nontraditional programs based on their accreditation, program features, residency requirements, and tuition and other expenses. (A resources section lists four organizations who can provide information on programs and describes nine publications/guides to nontraditional education. Sources for additional information on all options for earning credits are provided in the text.) (YLB)