Course credit may be awarded either through the submission of a portfolio or external evaluation of coursework, licenses, or certificates that represent college-level learning gained outside of the classroom. Each course awarded is equivalent to 3.5 semester hours. An evaluation is always based on the knowledge you have gained from your experience, not just the experience itself, and is based on at least 160 hours of organized study. Experiential credit can be used only when applicable to the individualized degree plan of each student.

Experiential Learning Credit through Portfolio Evaluation

A portfolio is made up of learning statements. Each learning statement is worth 3.5 semester hours or one course. You are limited to nine learning statements or one year of coursework through the portfolio process. Learning statements typically are used as electives in your degree plan or even as an internship if the experience is applicable.

While enrolled in your first course, Life, Learning and Vocation, you will meet with your academic adviser to determine if you are eligible to prepare a portfolio for experiential credit. If so, your adviser will recommend titles for each of the learning statements based on your specific knowledge in a given area.

Experiential Learning Credit through External Evaluation

Experiential credit through external evaluation includes knowledge gained through a course of study that has been rated by organizations such as the American Council on Education and the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction. Examples of this type of learning are courses sponsored by the National Emergency Training Center, LOMA, and the military. In each instance your credentials will be evaluated based on the appropriateness of the learning to a liberal arts degree. Additional certifications and licenses have been evaluated by faculty so that students may earn credit for knowledge they have gained through experience. Some of these credentials include licenses in both the medical and business fields. You will work with your adviser during Life, Learning and Vocation to integrate this learning into your degree plan.