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Wellness Connection
Student Services -- Assessed Learning Portfolio
Assessing College - Level Learning
in Prior Work and Life Experience
Assessment of prior learning plays an important
role in undergraduate degree programs designed to meet the needs
of working adults. Adult students bring a wealth of knowledge, skills
and professional competencies into the classroom, and it makes sense
to offer an opportunity to have that learning assessed. Assessment
validates both the learning and the learning environment, providing
a multitude of benefits to the student, the community, and the organizations
that employ, educate and train students. Indiana Wesleyan University
is among more than 500 colleges and universities that offer this
service to their undergraduate students. Assessments are done following
the guidelines set by The Higher Learning Commission and the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the Council
for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
Call the Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment at 765-677-2374
or 800-621-8667 (ext. 2374) or e-mail at ALPcoord@indwes.edu if you have questions about your portfolio.
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What is an assessed learning portfolio?
An assessed learning portfolio is a student-prepared
document that presents your prior learning in the areas of personal
and professional learning experiences. It is a means by which you
petition to receive college credit for this prior learning. Prior
learning includes college-level learning that has occurred after
graduation from high school and prior to entering a program at Indiana
Wesleyan University.
Assessed credits earned through the assessed learning
portfolio process may be used for liberal art general education
electives or general electives. You may not use the portfolio process
to substitute for core classes. Credit can be earned only for courses
that you have not previously transferred in, and only in Indiana
Wesleyan degree programs.
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Who will help me develop my portfolio?
In preparing the portfolio, the student must pause
and recollect a history of learning and growth in order to develop
a meaningful "learning autobiography." The student describes
and analyzes learning experiences and then provides documentation
that clarifies and validates the learning, e.g., letters, statements,
products of work according to the Assessed
Learning Portfolio Manual.
The Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment will help you decide
whether you are a good candidate for submitting a portfolio and
then help you choose what to submit and how to put it together.
The Coordinator is available for consultation by:
Phone: 765-677-2374 or 800-621-8667 (ext. 2374)
Fax: 765-677-2380
E-mail: ALPcoord@indwes.edu
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Am I qualified for assessment
of prior learning?
Undergraduate students enrolled in or accepted to
the APS programs are eligible to complete an assessed learning portfolio.
Credit hours awarded may be counted toward liberal arts or general
elective requirements as applicable to the undergraduate degree.
Applicants denied entry to the program based on low
GPA or insufficient work experience are not eligible to complete
the portfolio process until such deficiencies have been removed.
In addition, students who are suspended from the program are not
allowed to complete the portfolio process. The student is responsible
to develop the portfolio independently, following guidelines given
at an academic advising interview. The Assessed
Learning Portfolio Manual includes all instructions necessary
to submit material for evaluation. All assessment of items submitted
is performed by faculty assessors whose knowledge and expertise
qualify them to evaluate learning gained through experience.
To determine if you are qualified to submit a portfolio,
call the Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment at 765-677-2374 or 800-621-8667 (ext. 2374) or e-mail
at ALPcoord@indwes.edu
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How many credits can I obtain
through the portfolio?
Baccalaureate students may earn a maximum of 40
hours of credit through the portfolio. Undergraduate students may
use portfolio credit to accrue toward the 60 hours of credit required
for admission to the core curriculum.
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How much does it cost?
Students petitioning for prior learning credit are
required to remit a $100.00 opening fee for Portfolio Option I or
a $150.00 opening fee for Portfolio Option ll. This is to be included
with the portfolio at the time it is submitted. In addition, there
will be a $40.00 transcription fee for each credit awarded. The
student will receive an invoice/credit by assessment report for
the amount of the credit awarded. Credit is not placed on the academic
record until all fees have been paid. Therefore, before starting
a core program or graduating from IWU, all fees must be paid. All
assessed credit fees are due 30 days from the invoice date unless
payment is required sooner due to the aforementioned special circumstances.
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When should I submit a portfolio?
Portfolios may be submitted at any time; however,
if the credits are needed for graduation, the portfolio must arrive
at the Office of Student Services at least three months prior
to the expected graduation date. Portfolios may be submitted
only up to one (1) year after the student’s core completion
date.
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