Prior Learning Portfolio
Suite A-401
The PLP program aims to recognize 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
- 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 PLP program.
- Course Selection — You will submit an application 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.
Requirements
Let’s get started!
Upon approval of your portfolio application, you will receive access to a PLP Google Classroom 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.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed the LASC Writing I and Writing II requirements.
Credit Awards
Students may earn up to 18 credits through PLP. Credit awards will be indicated on the transcript with a “P” (pass) grade and are not calculated into the GPA.
Cost
The cost for PLP is $70/credit for SP23 and FA23. Financial aid and/or scholarships do not cover this cost.
PLP Inquiry Form
Suite A-401