Assessment of Prior Learning Prior Learning Policy Limits on Prior Learning Assessment Professional Portfolio Evaluation The Portfolio Document Course Challenge Examinations Conducting the Challenge Examination Failure of Challenge Examinations Prior Learning Policy The University respects the college-level prior learning of its adult students to the extent that such learning is appropriate to the degrees pursued by our students and satisfies the expectations of the University s faculty. The University allows prior learning to be credited from professional portfolio evaluations, a well as course challenge examinations. Most mid-career adults have creditworthy elements in their backgrounds for which sufficient credible evidence exists of advanced level learning. The source of prior learning might include work experience, non-college training, continuing education, seminars and conferences, career experiences and personal achievements, employment training, language training, technical classes, training leading to special certificates, diplomas and licenses and other advanced level learning obtained from personal and professional achievements. Under the direction of the University s primary mentors, and within certain clearly defined limits, students may submit prior learning portfolios for assessment of college or graduate equivalency credit or pursue course challenge examinations in fulfillment of the requirements for any course available at the University. Return to Top Limits on Prior Learning Assessment The University has not established exacting limits concerning the number of credits that may be applied to a degree. However, the University upholds very high standards for the quality of the reviews conducted and archival records maintained relative to prior learning assessment. The student is expected to demonstrate a thorough and far-reaching level of prior learning in comparison with the learning objectives for the course(s) under assessment. Under most circumstances, only highly qualified students should request a review of professional portfolio or course challenge examination. Return to Top Professional Portfolio Evaluation Professional portfolio evaluation is a detailed assessment of a student's prior learning in a limited and defined area, including the gathering together of authentic documents to validate and demonstrate advanced level learning. The task of the University faculty is to guide the student in structuring a formal written presentation in support of documentation from professional achievements and non-college training. To be awarded credit, all prior learning must clearly fulfill the academic objectives of the course and reflect the appropriate level of complexity in academic learning. Duplicative credit may not be awarded. Each course approved for portfolio assessment is evaluated independently by the most appropriate member of the faculty. Upon completion of each course pursued by prior learning assessment, at the time of submission of the course grade, the portfolio document is transferred by post to the University headquarters for storage in the University archival library. Return to Top The Portfolio Document The portfolio document must be presented in a manner that allows a detailed formal evaluation to be made of the prior learning. Students are required to attach copies of the necessary documentation, affidavits and certificates that permit an effective comparison of the prior learning experiences to the course objectives. While the portfolio document must include this authentic documentation, an equally important element is the student s narrative that summarizes and discusses the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired in the professional setting, or through non-college training. Portfolios are allowed in all academic fields and are usually designed to permit the student to demonstrate higher levels of cognition where they have used the subject matter to address real world situations in a creative manner. Permission to submit a portfolio for assessment should be requested by the student at the time the Study Plan is established. Prior learning assessment courses deemed complete will have the specified semester credits awarded on the student s permanent record. If a student is unsuccessful at passing the portfolio assessment, the mentor may decide to assign additional text and journal readings and other necessary exploratory activities in order to prepare the student for an additional course assessment (at additional cost to the student). After successfully completing these additional assignments and assessments, course credit will be granted. A standardize attachment to the Study Plan is used to communicate the content of the prior learning assessment to be undertaken. Return to Top Course Challenge Examinations Prior learning may also be awarded college equivalency credit through conduct of course challenge examinations. Challenge examinations allow students with prior learning to have study requirements waived in certain courses by passing assessments conducted by qualified academic mentors. Students are allowed to undertake course challenge examinations when it is clearly demonstrated they have acquired sufficient knowledge and expertise from prior experiences and training to satisfy the learning competencies and pass the final examination for the course under evaluation. To be considered for challenge examinations, students must submit documentation and information to faculty, which corresponds to courses being considered for challenge examination. Students outline the details of their background they believe satisfy the learning objectives for courses in question. Required information includes an overview of the relevant prior learning, the location, and person overseeing the professional activities, formal training, or college courses. Students should also submit a syllabus or outline for the prior courses, any scholarly papers or professional projects they completed, which supports the level of knowledge and competencies appropriate for competency areas of a course module for the program in which they are enrolled. If the couirse instructor determines the student has acquired adequate prior knowledge, skills, and understandings appropriate for a specific competency areas for the course under consideration, the student will be granted eligibility to attempt a course challenge examination. Faculty in charge of the competency area under assessment will dictate the final requirements and scheduling of challenge examination. Course modules deemed eligible for challenge examinations should be scheduled by the primary faculty advisor for review within the Study Plan. Return to Top Conducting the Challenge Examination Academic mentors may conduct the course challenge examinations by any combination of oral or written examination or by assignment of a scholarly paper, whichever is most appropriate to the subject matter. If the mentor conducts the challenge examination using telephone discussions, arrangements should be made for the student to initiate contact at a scheduled date and time. Test questions are to be prepared beforehand and oral examinations recorded for later review, if possible. In any case, mentors are expected to document the oral examination by journal notations. If mentors use an essay type written examination, the test may be conducted in an open book fashion, with the questions requiring the student to demonstrate the ability to conceptualize with the subject matter at higher levels of cognition, to avoid simple reiteration. If mentors assign a course paper as a challenge examination, the written document should conform to acceptable manuscript style. Guidelines for such papers should require the student to express learning at higher levels of cognition, demonstrating an ability to explore the issues in a creative manner and answer complex and probing questions. Upon completion of the challenge examination, course mentors prepare and send a written determination to the student. If the student has successfully passed the examination, a grade is assigned and course credit is awarded. Faculty reviewers are expected to submit the supportive documentation of the challenge examination to the University headquarters for archival storage in support of the student s program. Return to Top Failure of Challenge Examinations If the student has not successfully passed the examination, a letter of determination prescribes a corrective action plan that must be completed to receive course credit. Should the student wish to complete the action plan, an additional fee is assessed per credit for re-examination. In all cases, challenge examinations, together with any assigned corrective action plans, should be completed within the maximum time allowed for the course. The corrective action plan may include additional text and journal readings, and other exploratory activities that serve to prepare the student for reexamined. Once the student has successfully responded to the corrective actions, and has passed re-examination, a final grade and course credit will be assigned. Return to Top