What is the credit for experiential learning program?

The Credit for Experiential Learning Program at Saint Mary's University offers mature adults an opportunity to earn college credit for non-traditional, experiential learning as an alternative for completing a portion of their undergraduate baccalaureate degree.

What are experiential learning credits?

Experiential Learning Credits are credits that are awarded for acquired college-level learning in specific academic areas or disciplines that has taken place in a non-traditional setting. It should be understood that credit will not be awarded merely on the basis of experience in these areas. In addition, the learning must have a balance, appropriate to the subject, between theory and practical application. Persons that can demonstrate such knowledge, through the assessment process to assigned faculty members with expertise in the designated areas, may earn up to a maximum of 30 experiential learning credits.

For example, if you have been a sales representative for several years, you may be able to demonstrate that some of the knowledge that you acquired on-the-job may be equivalent to all or part of a particular business course or to general business knowledge. The department chairperson or other faculty members will confer with you to determine possible credit areas.

Who may apply for admission to the program?

• applicants must be at least 25 years of age
• applicants must have had some previous post-secondary schooling
• applicants must have a resume that demonstrates the type of experiences, volunteer or professional, appropriate for academic college-level credit assessment through the Credit for Experiential Learning Program

How does one apply?

• applicants must complete an Application for Undergraduate Admission for Non-Traditional Students, obtainable from the Admission Office, which requires official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and universities attended.
• applicants must then complete the application for the Credit for Experiential Learning Program, which requires a resume of past experience that the applicant considers potential college-creditable experience.
• the application and resume will be reviewed by the Experiential Learning Committee to determine if it is potentially creditable learning. If the committee members judge it to be appropriate, the committee will make the initial decision regarding probable academic areas and faculty members to involve in the assessment process based on the student's experience and academic and professional goals. The Experiential Learning Coordinator will contact individual faculty members to determine their willingness to participate in the assessment. When the faculty member is not the department chairperson, the chairperson will be notified.
• the Experiential Learning Coordinator will then meet with the applicant to discuss the committee's decision and recommendations and to advise the applicant regarding the Credit for Experiential Learning Portfolio.

How may credits for experiential learning be earned?

The Credit for Experiential Learning Portfolio provides the applicant the opportunity to reflect upon and articulate the learning s/he has accomplished as the result of previous experience, to relate this experience and learning to specific learning goals, skills, and competencies, and to provide documentation to support the accomplishment of leaning stated. The portfolio assists the Credit for Experiential Learning Coordinator and Committee as well as the faculty members involved in the assessment by providing documentation on which the individual credit decision can be based.

The portfolio must contain the following materials:

1. The resume, which includes a thorough description of all experience being considered for credit. This resume is the first document in the portfolio as it provides an overview of the candidate's experiences as well as a starting place from which to examine the balance of the portfolio. 
2. A description of the specific learning, competencies, and/or skills acquired through the experience. Within the description, the candidate must also explain how the theory or the discipline connects to the specific learning, competencies, and/or skills acquired. A description must be provided for each area (or discipline or course) in which credit is sought. 
3. Documentation to support that the learning, competency, or skill was accomplished. Here an assessor/assessment other than the applicant is desirable. For example, letters of recommendation from supervisors, licenses or certificates earned, and examples of work (writing accomplished, projects accomplished, etc.) may be considered appropriate documentation.

Assessment of the Portfolio

The candidate will then submit the portfolio to the Credit for Experiential Learning Coordinator who will distribute it to the appropriate faculty member(s). After reviewing the material, the faculty assessor may request that sections of the portfolio be revised or expanded; the assessor may also then request another interview with the candidate. The faculty assessor will then determine the degree and level of competence achieved by the candidate and decide on the amount of credit equivalency.

Each assessor will conclude his or her assessment by completing the Assessment Record Form which requests the number of credits earned in each area of assessment and a suggested competence title(s). These completed reports will be forwarded to the Credit for Experiential Learning Coordinator.

The Coordinator will review all assessments and, after consultation with the student, make a final written assessment recommendation of credits and areas to the Vice President for Academic Affairs who will relay this information to the Registrar.

The Registrar will then include this information on the student's official record and the student will receive notification.

What are the academic requirements of the program?

A minimum of 122 semester credits are required for graduation, with the following criteria:

1. A minimum of 30 credits must be earned "in residence" at Saint Mary's University. "Residence" for purposes of this non-traditional undergraduate program shall be defined as academic work done in conjunction with Saint Mary's University faculty. This work may include courses, independent study, or internships.
2. A maximum of 62 semester transfer credits will be accepted by Saint Mary's.
3. A maximum of 30 experiential learning credits assessed through Saint Mary's.
4. A 2.0 grade point average in all courses taken in the major field and in all courses taken at Saint Mary's University.
5. Completion of the equivalent of a Saint Mary's University catalog major or an approved individualized major.
6. Completion of a modified general education program with at least one course in each of the current general education areas.

What does the program cost?

For each experiential learning credit that is assessed, there is an assessment and administrative fee equal to one-third the Saint Mary's University regular per-credit tuition cost at the time the applicant begins the Credit for Experiential Learning assessment process.

Application (pdf)

For further specific information contact:
aknetl@smumn.edu