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2. Prior Learning 101 – Session 4 Getting Started – Use Your Information

3. Prior Learning 101 Webinar– Session 4
Ray Francis
Faculty, Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development
Part 1 - Preparing for YOUR Prior Learning Portfolio
Part 2 - Planning
Part 3 - Let’s Look at a Worksheet
Part 4 - Helpful Resources
Prior Learning
Portfolio Program

4. Preparing for YOUR Prior Learning Portfolio
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell
Preparing for a Prior Learning Portfolio will ensure that:
1. The Prior Learning Portfolio assessment process will work for you.
2. That you meet the requirements and guidelines for submitting work, training and life experiences for credit.
3. You have everything you need to get started.
Does the Prior Learning Process Work for You? If you can answer yes to the following questions, then submitting a Prior Learning Portfolio might work for you.
1. Can you document your work, training or life experiences?
2. Can it be verified by others?
3. Can you write and assess your experiences and demonstrate what you learned?
Let’s Get Started – Understand the Process and Guidelines
1. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your program plan and how Prior Learning could work for you.
2. Review the Prior Learning Student Handbook on the Prior Learning website.
3. View the Prior Learning Video and Briefing slides available on the Prior Learning website.
The Portfolio – What Will You Need to Get Started and Build a Portfolio
1. Download and save to your computer, the required fillable forms which become the information contained in each of the tabs of the portfolio.
2. Set up a filing system (manila folders) to organize your information as you gather documents and complete forms.
3. Purchase a three-ring binder and tab dividers. You will need these to assemble and submit your portfolio. Pages need to be three-hole punched. DO NOT use page protectors.
What is the Prior Learning Portfolio Program?
Students create a portfolio in which they write assessments of what they have learned and how they have applied it in the workplace or in life. Undergraduate or graduate college credits are awarded based on your written assessments tied to college level competencies.
YOUR portfolio is prepared by YOU on YOUR schedule. Based on an average 24* undergraduate credits awarded, these credits would take the average undergraduate student 2 – 4 semesters to complete (based on 8-three credit courses). The average graduate credits awarded are 6* which would represent 1- 2 semesters based on 2-three credit course) *the potential awards are based on a number of criteria including time on job, dates, competencies etc.
Undergraduate students can earn up to 60* credits towards select degrees and graduate students can earn up to 10* credits towards select degrees.
Not having to spend the time in class to earn credits gives you more time for your jobs, families, other classes or other activities.
This represents a significant TIME SAVINGS FOR YOU!
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
Preparing

5. Planning the Portfolio
Use Your Information
Consider the time of your experiences. Time spent is important in considering the number of credits you could earn and how many experiences you need to submit. The duration (months of employment in a position) is a factor in determining the number of credits awarded (CMU uses the American Council on Education [ACE] recommendations to equate experiences with potential college credit). If you are only seeking a few credits, then you do not want to waste your time developing a portfolio that covers decades of employment or a large number of trainings.
Worksheets. Complete a worksheet for each work experience (employment position), training and life experience as a basis for developing and drafting your self-assessment for each experience. Worksheets are not included in the portfolio but are a planning aid for you to map out your potential award and the experiences you will need to write an assessment for.
Make notes and gather information (supporting documents needed). Based on your worksheets, make notes to identify which supporting documentation you will need to gather and where and from whom you will get documents for work experiences, completion certificates from workshops, transcripts from other schools you have attended. Getting documentation can sometimes take time – don’t wait until the last minute to get documents which can hold up finalizing your portfolio.
In addition to the significant time savings that can be achieved through the Prior Learning Portfolio process, there is also a SIGNIFICANT MONEY SAVINGS to submit a portfolio and pay for the credits awarded.
The cost to submit a portfolio is a low fee of $125 and includes unlimited submission of portfolios beyond your initial portfolio should you want to attempt to gain more credits.
Undergraduate students pay 77+% LESS per credit hour than the regular in-state tuition rate for undergraduate credits awarded.
Graduate students pay 85+% LESS per credit hour than the regular in-state tuition rate for graduate credits awarded
24 undergraduate credits awarded* would cost approximately $2,280 vs. $9,720**
6 graduate credits awarded* would cost approximately $570 vs. $3,600**
*based on the average awarded credits per undergraduate or graduate portfolios
** based on current tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate in-state tuition
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
Planning

6. Let’s Look at a Worksheet
Prior Learning credits awarded can be used on select degrees*. Currently, credits awarded can be used on the following undergraduate and graduate degrees:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, Community Development
Bachelor of Science, Integrated Leadership
Bachelor of Science, Administration
Electives for other CMU majors
Graduate: Master of Science Administration, all concentrations
Master of Education, various concentrations
*Prior Learning credits may be used on other degree programs but you must check with and get approval from your academic advisor prior to starting a portfolio.
Credits are awarded as: Undergraduate [UNV 297 or UNV 497] and Graduate [UNV 697].
5 CMU credits must be taken and posted on the transcript prior to applying prior learning credits.
Always consult with your advisor to see if Prior Learning credits will work for you.
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
Worksheet

7. We Are Here to Help RESOURCES YOUR success is OUR success!
In Person – if you are in the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan area, you can schedule an appointment with our Prior Learning staff located in Park Library-Room 415A. Call (866) , option #1.
Phone – call our Prior Learning staff members who can assist you over the phone. Call (866) , option #1.
– send your questions to us via
Webinar Series: our monthly live webinars will continue and focus on specific topics helpful to you as you begin the Prior Learning Portfolio process
Online Office Hours: online office hours are scheduled several times monthly where you can join others in an online setting to get guidance and address questions pertaining to your portfolio planning and process. Check our webpage for more details.
Writing Center and Writing Workshops – as a CMU student, you have access to the Writing Center. You can submit your writings online and they will be reviewed by a Writing Center consultant and returned to you with comments. Check our main Prior Learning webpage for any Writing Workshops that may be scheduled (in person or online). Visit the Writing Center online at
Webpage – our webpage has a wealth of information to assist you in planning, preparing and submitting a portfolio. The web page has links to worksheets/templates, a comprehensive Student Handbook, FAQs, links to archived webinars, video briefings and much more. .
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
RESOURCES

8. Thank you for attending today’s webinar.
Please check our webpage for the next webinars in the Prior Learning 101 series.
YOUR success is OUR success!