Academic Catalog 2024-25 > Academic Policies and Procedures > Credit for Prior Learning > Experiential Learning Portfolio

Experiential Learning Portfolio

Students may earn up to 30 units of University credit for college-level learning which is documented through the satisfactory preparation of Experiential Learning Portfolios. Such learning must:

1. Have occurred after the student’s completion of secondary school
2. Have occurred at least one year prior to the creation of the portfolio

A student is required to enroll in ENGL 3442 Critical Inquiry and Reflective Writing to prepare the Portfolio. In the Experiential Learning Portfolio a student documents the learning situation, describes and analyzes the learning experience, and demonstrates the knowledge and practical skill competencies as required by the awarding academic department(s).

University credit is granted only for college-level learning (minimum ‘C’ level of proficiency) which links the prior learning experience with the theoretical constructs of the appropriate academic discipline. Credit for experiential learning cannot be awarded for duplicate courses completed through other learning sources. Prior to enrolling in ENGL 3442, a student must meet with an academic advisor to determine the applicability of Portfolio units within the student’s degree plan, confirm the availability of evaluators, and discuss the proposed topic areas. No guarantee regarding the availability of Portfolio evaluators is made. Evaluation is dependent on departmental resources.

A student may complete two submissions of the Experiential Learning Portfolio. The first is prepared in ENGL 3442. The instructor reviews the Portfolio, awards a grade for the course, and forwards the Portfolio for evaluation by the appropriate Dominican University faculty. Up to 30 units of academic credit (usually 1-3 units per portfolio) is awarded by course number, title and academic department and may be lower or upper division. The proficiency units earned through Portfolio may be applicable as electives and for some General Education areas.

The second Portfolio submission may be prepared independently or in conjunction with an optional course, ENGL 3443 Portfolio Redevelopment. The second submission may include new experiential learning essays or revisions of essays as recommended by the evaluator(s) of the original essays.

It is recommended that a student planning to use the Portfolio process enroll in ENGL 3442 at least three semesters prior to expected graduation. This gives sufficient time for the preparation and evaluation of two portfolio submissions.

Experiential Learning Credit is posted to the student’s transcript as proficiency units after the student has completed the 30-unit residency requirement.

Eligibility for the courses ENGL 3442/3443 and for the Experiential Learning and Assessment program require that students have a minimum of six years of life experience since completing high school and completion of ENGL 1004 Expository Writing or an equivalent.

Approved Areas for Experiential Learning Essays

For discussion of how life experience can be incorporated into a specific topic area, please contact the Director of Prior Learning Assessment.