Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to describe mechanisms that students can use to accelerate completion of a career degree or certificate program of study in accordance with Florida State Statute and Florida State Board of Education Administrative Rules. This procedure outlines the process used in determining credit to be awarded for prior experiential learning.

Procedure

1. Credit for prior experiential learning shall be awarded only for documented learning that demonstrates achievement of all outcomes for specific courses in an approved degree program(s).
   
   
2. Credit shall be identified on the student's transcript as credit for prior experiential learning.
   
   
3. Credit awarded by the College through a prior learning assessment may or may not be accepted at other colleges or universities.
   
   
   1. Upon request from another institution the College shall document how such learning was evaluated and the basis on which such credit was awarded.
      
      
4. Credit will not be awarded for prior learning that duplicates coursework or other exam credits previously posted to a student’s academic record.
   
   
5. The Prior Learning Portfolio (PLP) is the process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of learning acquired through formal and informal study. The Prior Learning Portfolio process allows students to verify that they already possess the skills and/or knowledge required in some college level courses and demonstrates that the student has mastered the course learning outcomes of the course.
   
   
   1. The learning may include employment experience, independent study, volunteering, non-credit course(s) and/or workshops.
      
      
6. To request an assessment of prior learning the student should initiate the procedure by:
   
   
   1. Identifying the course(s) for which they would like to apply for prior learning assessment credit.
      
      
   2. The student will meet with their assigned advisor who will assist in providing the student their academic plan and assistance with understanding the requirements of the procedure. It will be the responsibility of the student to determine course equivalency for experiential learning.
      
      
   3. After meeting with their assigned advisor, the student should submit the Prior Learning Portfolio Information Request Form to the academic department from which they are requesting credit.
      
      
   4. The student will be notified of the approval or denial of the Prior Learning Portfolio Information Request form via their college email address.
      
      
   5. Upon approval of the Prior Learning Information Request form, the student will pay the appropriate fee as listed on the form at the cashier’s office.
      
      
   6. The student shall then submit the Portfolio Information Request Form, a copy of the paid receipt, along with a completed Prior Learning Portfolio to the Dean of the academic department from which they are requesting credit. Students shall follow the Guidelines for Preparing the Portfolio in preparing the portfolio.
      
      
7. Prior Learning Portfolio Guidelines
   
   
   1. The Prior Learning Portfolio is an assessment of prior college-level learning. The portfolio is the primary documentation that a student has mastered the course outcomes as listed in the Seminole State College course outline for the specific course which credit is requested.
      
      
   2. Prepare the portfolio, making sure that all course outcomes are covered, and that the portfolio is well organized and well written.
      
      
   3. The guidelines are generally accepted practices in portfolio development. Any deviations from these guidelines require prior approval from the Academic Dean.
      
      
   4. Some courses may also require a skill assessment to satisfy course competencies, and some courses may not be eligible for this process.
      
      
   5. The portfolio must be organized as follows:
      
      
      1. Cover Page: The cover page should include the student’s name, date, and name and title of course for which credit is being requested.
         
         
      2. Table of Contents: The Table of Contents should reference each major section of the portfolio as outlined above, including any appendices.
         
         
      3. Autobiography: The Autobiography should Include a brief autobiography of 1,000 words or less that focuses on post-high school adult years and outlines personal and professional experiences as they relate to the course in which the student is/are applying for prior learning assessment credit.
         
         
      4. Credit Statement: The Credit Statement includes the course number, title, and course description.
         
         
      5. Course Outcome Competency Grid: The Course Outcomes Competency Grid contains each outcome in the course and evidence of how those competencies and outcomes were learned through formal study, informal study, seminars, workshops, self-study, work experience and other learning modalities as appropriate.
         
         
      6. Narrative: The Narrative section of the portfolio is a written summary of how the course outcomes were learned. This section can reference other materials which have been included with the portfolio such as relevant licensures or professional certifications.
         
         
      7. Appendix of Relevant Documentation: Attach relevant documentation as needed to provide detailed documentation and evidence, such as copies of certifications, conventions, or workshops attended, and any other evidence of learning that would demonstrate mastery of the competencies of the course.
         
         
8. Upon receipt of the completed portfolio packet in the academic department, a faculty member will be identified to review the student’s application by the Academic Dean.
   
   
9. The faculty member will assess the portfolio to determine the level at which the student has demonstrated mastery of the course outcomes.
   
   
10. In addition to submission of the portfolio, the student may be requested to demonstrate any skills needed to satisfy course requirements.
    
    
11. The student will be given one opportunity to make corrections or show additional evidence of learning as required by the assessing faculty member.
    
    
12. The assessing faculty member will assign a satisfactory or non-satisfactory (non-passing) grade to the portfolio.
    
    
13. The faculty member will forward the Portfolio Information Form, a copy of the paid receipt, along with the completed portfolio and assessment grade to the Academic Dean no more than 30 business days from receipt of the completed portfolio.
    
    
14. If the portfolio is assigned a satisfactory grade, the Academic Dean will file an appropriate form with the Registrar’s Office.
    
    
15. The Registrar’s Office will post the credit to the student’s record.
    
    

Rulemaking Authority and Law(s) Implemented: Florida Statue 1007.27; FAC 6A-10.024; 6A-14.0302; 6A-14.0304 Policy 4.031

History – Adopted 9/2024