About Real-Life University

Real-Life University also known as, The School of Hard Knocks, and its associated programs recognize the value and importance of Real-Life Experience and each were developed for the purpose of providing recognition to achievement and the promotion of honorable business practices, entrepreneurship and community advocacy.

Real-Life University and The School of Hard Knocks is NOT a recognized or accredited educational institution. Certificates granted by The School of Hard Knocks are intended for personal satisfaction and novelty purposes only. They are not intended, nor do we take any responsibility, for their use in any fraud or dishonesty.

Traditional Education Relies on Real Life Education:

Few can argue the value that Life-Experience provides in the learning process. Unfortunately most adults find it extremely difficult to fit traditional classroom education into their busy lives. In response many college curriculums are now being broadened to allow course credits to be earned through examination, life experience, on-line study along with traditional classroom education, which in turn makes academic intuitions and higher learning more accessible and affordable. Many universities now offer Life-Experience Educational Credits in place of traditional coursework for graduate degrees.

The acceptance of Life-Experience is simply an acknowledgement of our continuous need and opportunity for Lifelong Learning. Our Technological advances have not only made us more productive in the workplace, but they have given us learning and growth experiences at all ages and in a wide variety of contexts: at work, at home and through leisure activities, not just through formal academic channels such as higher education.

Portfolio based, Life-Experience Educational Credits are generally more suited for older students as it requires the documenting of college-level knowledge that has been acquired outside the classroom. Candidates for Portfolio Credit work with an advisor or participate in a class to assess the academic credit value of their life and work experience.

However, Life-Experience has been a standard requirement for course credit for quite some time although it has been couched under more familiar terminology such as "internship", "work experience", and "clinicals". So, the concept that a reputable university would grant a graduate degree based in part on Life-Experience is certainly not new.

There is no argument that a college degree is valuable. It demonstrates less what someone knows and more what they are capable of. It demonstrates work ethic, dedication, ability to manage time, and countless other attributes. But so can work. College can prepare one to start their own business, but so can working in the industry of the business that they are going to start. College can prepare one to build the better mousetrap, but so can spending four years working with mousetraps.