This year, more than 40 million adults will participate in workplace education programs. Are you one of them?

If you have participated in formal workplace courses or programs through either the military or a recognized training provider, you could be eligible to apply what you learned to a college degree. Speak with an admissions officer to explore ways you can earn credit for college-level learning gained from life or professional experiences.

Here is just a sampling of programs and books that were created to help you earn credit for what you already know:

• The College Credit Recommendation Service (www.acenet.edu/calec/corporate/) has evaluated and recommended college credit for more than 9,000 courses, examinations, and certifications administered through business, labor, government, associations, and other organizations. Five hundred plus organizations including Novell, AT&T, and ASE, have been reviewed since the program's inception in 1974 and has serverd more than 500,000 adults the ACE transcript service. More than 500,000 adults have applied their workplace learning to college degree programs.

• ACE's Military Programs (www.acenet.edu/calec/military/home.html) evaluates training and occupations provided to service members while serving in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps. Their website gives step-by-step instructions on how to find out if you can earn college credit for your experiences in the military and provides information on how to participate in record-keeping registries.

• The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (www.cael.org") publishes Earn College Credit for What You Know, a book for adult learners interested in acquiring credit for prior learning. For more information on ordering this publication, visit Best Books and Sites.

• The Pocket Guide to College Credits and Degrees includes information on applying your learning experiences in the real world to a college degree. Check Best Sites and Books for ordering information.