Experiential Learning Portfolio

Colorado Technical University recognizes that knowledge gained outside of a classroom may be relevant to your degree program. Learning experiences obtained through employment, non-collegiate, school-based education or other appropriate channels may be evaluated for course credit if it is in adherence to American Council of Education (ACE) recommendations.

To be considered for this credit, your prior experience or education must:

• Relate specifically to an Associate, Bachelor’s or Master's degree course in your academic program.
• Result in experientially attained and mastered college-level competencies that are appropriately documented and equivalent to the course outcomes that would be acquired in the comparable CTU course.
• Demonstrate and verify learning through documentation such as work samples and/or supervisory verification.

MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNT WITH AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO

An experiential learning portfolio (ELP) is an electronic portfolio that relates specifically to a course in your academic program. It demonstrates and verifies learning through documentation. If your ELP demonstrates that your work experience meets the objectives of a course(s), you may be able to bypass that course(s).

The maximum amount of life experience credit accepted toward graduation is 16 quarter credit hours for an Associate degree, 32 quarter credit hours for a Bachelor’s degree and 8 quarter credit hours for a Master’s degree or Doctoral Degree. The Prior Learning Assessment Department will provide support and guidance to help position your portfolio in the best manner possible.

What's Required?

Resume: Reflects all your professional experience
Narrative Essay: Demonstrates how work experience directly relates to a course in your program
Artifacts: Serve as proof of experience

How To Start

1. Review degree program to identify which course(s) match your work experience.
2. Contact a Prior Learning Evaluator at 1-855-230-0555, to obtain course objectives.

What's Next?

• Submit a portfolio to the Prior Learning Assessment Department for evaluation.
  • Check with a Prior Learning Evaluator for submission instructions

If you need more information or you’re ready to begin the process for applying to school, we’re here to help. Speak with an Admissions Advisor today.

Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

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