Workforce Continuing Education

Comparing Degree and Non-degree Programs

Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) courses are considered "non-credit." When you take a WCE course, you usually won't earn college credit toward a degree – some exceptions to the rule are noted below – but you can earn industry-recognized certifications and continuing education units, or CEUs.

Which area of Wake Tech is the right place to find the training and resources you need? Where do you start?

Watch the video for an explanation about the differences between degree and non-degree training and learn how they work together to help you reach your educational and career goals.

Enrolling in non-credit courses

  • You do not need to apply for admission to Wake Tech or submit a high school transcript. Simply find the course you want in the WCE Course Catalog and follow the registration instructions.
  • There are no payment deadlines or payment plans for non-credit courses. You must pay for courses when you register.
  • Learn more about non-credit registration.

Services available to non-credit students

  • Financial assistance
    Although traditional federal and state financial aid (Pell grants, subsidized student loans, etc.) cannot be used to pay for non-credit courses, Wake Tech offers financial assistance for non-credit students Propel program and other resources. Simply fill out an application.
  • Career coaching and support services
    Non-credit students have access to academic coaching and support, such as assessments, referrals and employer engagement, as well as assistance in finding the right career path through WCE Financial Resources and Student Support.

Earning credit for non-credit courses

Wake Tech offers a variety of ways to receive college credit or place out of college-level courses:

  • Challenge exams
    Students seeking credit for non-transferable learning experiences may request a challenge examination. The subject matter for which credit is sought must be equivalent to the course(s) being challenged.
  • Prior learning
    Students who have industry-recognized certifications may be able to skip certain prerequisite courses in degree programs by receiving an equivalency for their prior learning work.

Examples of non-degree courses that can count for college credit:

There are other non-degree courses that can earn credits. Check with your instructor to see if your course is eligible for college credit.