Prior Learning Portfolio

PLP Program at Worcester State University

The Prior Learning Portfolio program recognizes that not all learning happens in a traditional classroom

Our post-traditional students often have extensive professional and life experience that is equivalent to the learning outcomes and objectives for academic courses. This program was designed to evaluate a student’s experience to determine where academic credit may be awarded.

Portfolio Process

Meet with the Adult Student Support Coordinator – To begin the process, schedule a meeting with Leah Guzman (508-929-8512 or lguzman@worcester.edu) to discuss the process and get started.
Resume Review — The process begins with a review of your professional resume and any industry training or certifications you have achieved to determine if there are areas that “match” required or elective coursework in your degree program. Students may earn up to 18 credits through the portfolio program.
Course Selection — You will submit aPortfolio Request to Pursue form identifying the courses you wish to include in your portfolio along with a brief written statement for each course explaining how your experience meets the course objectives and learning outcomes. If approved, you will move on to the portfolio development.
Portfolio Development — The portfolio is the method used to document your knowledge and equate it to a college-level course that is eligible for credit. The portfolio will combine written narratives, trainings, certifications, and other documentation that demonstrates how you have met the learning objectives of the course for which you are seeking credit.
Portfolio Assessment — The portfolio assessment evaluates and validates prior learning and does not involve any instruction on the part of Worcester State and/or its faculty. Worcester State University is able to award credit if your portfolio demonstrates college-level learning and addresses nationally approved standards. Portfolios will not be reviewed until the associated fees have been paid.

Requirements

Credit may be awarded for knowledge gained through experience

Do you have documentation that demonstrates specific competencies you have gained through your professional and/or life experience? Are you able to identify these skills, competencies, and knowledge? For example, “accounts payable/accounts receivable/general ledger” competencies can be demonstrated through your job description, performance evaluations, and samples of your work in this area.

The learning must be academically oriented

The subject matter should fit within the scope of your academic program. For example, if you plan to develop a portfolio to fulfill a business elective, the experience should be acquired within a business setting.

The learning must be college-level

A traditional college-level course involves, on average, 135 hours in and out of the classroom. You must show that your experience has been acquired over a substantial time frame or training period. The experience should be rooted in analytical and critical thinking and have both a theoretical foundation and practical application.

Let’s get started!

Upon approval of your Portfolio Request to Pursue form, you will receive access to an online Portfolio training orientation to aid in portfolio development and organization.

Minimum Prior Learning Portfolio Contents

Your portfolio must have the following components to be considered for assessment and should follow APA formatting guidelines.

Cover page
Table of contents
Certificate of attendance to the Portfolio Workshop
Proof of portfolio fee payment (non-refundable)
Copy of degree audit and approved portfolio application
Abstract – this is a brief summary of the experience(s) related to the courses which you are including in your portfolio. Be sure to incorporate relevant information such as title of position or training program, length of experience or training, level of responsibility or authority, and other pertinent details of your experience(s).
Résumé

Create a separate section for each course in which you are attempting to earn credit that includes:

Course syllabus. If the course is part of LASC, the syllabus should include learning outcomes in alignment with the content area learning objectives
Narrative and Skills inventory – summarize your experience(s) and demonstrate how they relate to the academic course. Be thorough as this will explain how you feel you have the equivalent knowledge, skills, and competencies that would otherwise be gained in a traditional classroom setting. Be sure to reference the course description and specific learning outcomes and course objectives and utilize your resume, training, and experience to provide evidence.
Supporting documentation/evidence of prior learning: performance evaluations, reports, certificates of attendance to workshops/trainings, etc.
Two professional letters of recommendation
Annotated bibliography: ten sources per course requested. The resources should be integrated into the narrative and skills section.

For support or assistance throughout the portfolio process, contact Leah Guzman (508-929-8512 or lguzman@worcester.edu) in the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Deadlines

September 30

Fall Submissions

February 28

Spring Submissions

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed the LASC Writing I and Writing II requirements (EN 101 and EN 102).

Credit Awards

Students may earn up to 18 credits through the Portfolio process. Credit awards will be indicated on the transcript with a “P” (pass) grade and are not calculated into the GPA.

Cost

The cost for completing the Prior Learning Portfolio is currently $70/credit. Financial aid and/or scholarships do not cover this cost.