Experiential Learning Policy (ELP)
Trine University recognizes that knowledge gained outside of a classroom may be relevant to your academic degree program. Learning experiences gained through employment, non-collegiate, school-based education or other appropriate channels may be evaluated for course or elective credit.
To be
considered for experiential learning, your prior experience must relate specifically to a course at Trine University through course competency evidence with mapping of course learning outcomes or free electives in your program.
An experiential learning portfolio is required as evidence that verifies mastery of course learning outcomes through documentation. If your experiential learning portfolio demonstrates that your prior experience(s) meets all course learning outcomes, your experiential learning will allow you to earn full credit for the course or elective.
Please note, some programs with special accreditation will limit or exclude credit for experiential learning.
What is required in the experiential learning portfolio?
- Experiential Learning Student Form (found in myPortal)
- Resume: A professional resume documenting the student’s professional career
- Autobiography
- Course competency evidence with mapping of course learning outcomes
- Documentation that supports and provides evidence of course learning outcome mastery, examples of documents are listed below.
Documents that can aid in awarding experiential learning credits:
- HR documentation: Human Resource performance information such as job descriptions and performance evaluations, if available. A job description provided by Human Resources does NOT substitute for the required information. Performance evaluations will be copies of the originals kept by the employer and must show signatures to be considered as proof of performance.
- Letters from current and past employers verifying job responsibilities.
- Copies of articles, special awards and letters of recommendation.
- Samples of writing and/or computer skills including letters, brochures and programs.
- Photocopies of licenses and certificates of completion for non-credit work.
Experiential Learning Portfolio Evaluation
Experiential Learning Portfolios are reviewed by the Registrar and the school Dean. Review of the portfolio can take up to 30 days before a decision is provided to the student.
Students may only transfer up to 15 semester credits for an associate’s degree, up to 30 semester credits towards a bachelor’s degree, and 0 credits towards master’s degree from an experiential learning portfolio. Most general education coursework cannot be awarded transfer credit from an experiential learning portfolio.