Credit for Prior Learning

University Credit for Prior Learning Policy

In recognition that college-level learning can happen many places outside of the classroom, Notre Dame of Maryland University has established a credit for prior learning (CPL) policy.  Notre Dame of Maryland University supports and adheres to the standards for assessing learning established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and the Middles States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).  This credit for prior learning policy will provide a course for course equivalency or course-match model which will allow students to demonstrate college-level learning that they have obtained through work experiences, professional development, civic activities, travel, military service, or other means.  Courses would be limited to those courses currently in the Notre Dame of Maryland University catalog.

Credit for Prior Learning may be awarded through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), course challenge or proficiency examinations, Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, DSST (DANTES) and other military equivalencies (AARTS, SMART, or CGI), International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, and completion of a portfolio that would be critically assessed by faculty within that department to determine whether the threshold for mastery of the course was demonstrated.  Credit for prior learning supports the assessment of academic certificates, diplomas and certification through transcript evaluation or the portfolio method. Credit earned through the Prior Learning Assessment Program can be applied toward general education, degree program, or elective requirements.

Policy

NDMU awards academic credit to students who demonstrate that they have met the learning objectives and outcomes specified in a course syllabus. It is incumbent upon the student to demonstrate the prior learning is equivalent to the conventional learning through a course and that the student can demonstrate equivalent and satisfactory achievement of the learning objectives of the course.

Authority

In addition to the standards promoted by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and the Middles States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the State of Maryland through the Maryland Higher Education Commission has enacted statutes, regulations, and guidelines related to CPL. See §15-113 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, COMAR 13B.02.02.16, and VFEA Guidelines.

The School Dean of the program where the course being petitioned for credit for prior learning resides, in collaboration with the Department Chair and Registrar, makes the final determination whether credit for prior learning will be awarded. Department chairs are considered the subject matter experts in the discipline in which the course is being petitioned for CPL. The School Dean, or designee, will consult with Department Chair, faculty colleagues, the student’s advisor, as necessary, in order to conduct the review of the request.

Categories of Prior Learning:

1. Credit by Examination
   1. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
   2. International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams/Diploma
   3. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations
   4. Dantes Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
   5. American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendations
   6. Other nationally accepted assessment method/examination
2. Credit by Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
   1. Portfolio Assessment
   2. Course Challenge Examination
3. Credit for Military Education
   1. ACE Military Guide

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

Incoming first-year students who have taken AP examinations administered by the College Board and have achieved satisfactory scores are considered for advanced placement. College credit may be granted for scores of three (3) or higher.

The full list of approved AP examinations and their course equivalencies are available in the University Catalog and on the University’s website. Other AP examinations may be determined for credit in accordance with this policy by the University Registrar.

For more information on AP Exams, visit the College Board website. Scores should be sent to NDMU (Institution Code: 5114).

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized program of study taken as a part of the high school curriculum in which secondary students complete standardized and comprehensive examinations. Students may present an official IB Diploma or individual certificates recognizing specific higher-level test scores for consideration.

NDMU recognizes the IB Diploma and grants 30 credits and sophomore standing to any student completing the diploma with a score of 30 or better. Some of these units may be applied toward NDMU’s General Education requirements; each student’s IB units will be individually evaluated for General Education applicability.

Higher level examinations for which a student received a grade of 5 or higher will be reviewed and credits granted accordingly. NDMU does not grant credit for Standard Level IB Examinations.

The full list of approved IB examinations and their course equivalencies are available from the University Registrar.

For more information on IB, visit the IB website at https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to earn qualifying scores on nationally-recognized subject examinations. Students may earn credit for certain CLEP tests provided they meet the minimum score required by NDMU.

The full list of approved CLEP examination and their course equivalencies are available from the University Registrar.

For more information on CLEP or to locate a CLEP Test Center, visit the College Board website. Scores should be sent to NDMU (Institution Code: 5114).

Portfolio Assessment

To be awarded for prior learning credit via Portfolio Assessment, a student must be able to demonstrate that they have met the learning objectives required in a university academic course. This is done by creating a portfolio.

A prior learning portfolio is a collection of materials compiled to demonstrate previous college-level learning relevant to your academic degree plan. A portfolio consists of multiple required components. Each component plays a role in demonstrating mastery of course objectives. The components that make up a portfolio include:

• The Educational Goal Statement – This gives a student the opportunity to examine their personal motivation in the context of learning and application of knowledge. This document provides prior learning evaluators with insight and helps provide appropriate feedback to facilitate life-long learning.
• The Autobiography – The autobiography focuses on the student’s professional and personal learning endeavors since high school. In writing the autobiography, the student will analyze their past experiences in terms of critical incidents that led to learning. This part of the portfolio helps evaluators understand when, how, and why the learning has occurred.
• The Resume – A resume allows the student to highlight more detail about your responsibilities and accomplishments that supported learning. The resume provides the evaluator with a timeline and demonstrates the progression of learning.
• The Narrative – This component is unique for every portfolio because the focus is on the learning objectives for a specific course. The student must address each course objective found on the course syllabus, and demonstrate that they have mastered the objectives to the same extent as students who have completed the course. The narrative may be lengthy depending on the course.
• Documentation – The student will need to supply documentation to support the narrative. Documentation is as individual as the learner. It may include items such as sample work products, training certificates, workplace evaluations, letters of recommendation, and/or photographs.

A separate portfolio must be submitted for each course where a student seeks to petition for credit. Faculty determine whether a student’s prior learning demonstrated the equivalency of the course based on meeting 75% of learning outcomes. Some components of a student’s original portfolio may be used in multiple submissions. Students are encouraged to work on one portfolio at a time, as this allows you to use feedback from the initial portfolio to inform the development of additional portfolios.

The university awards credit for college-level learning that be assessed and documented. Credit is awarded for learning, not experience. Evidences critical for a successful portfolio. A students prior learning must be:

• Related to their current educational goals and objectives.
• College-level and relevant to a specific course for which the university grants academic credit.
• Transferable to situations other than that in which it was gained.
• Accompanied by the application of appropriate theories.
• Include evidence to support having achieved course learning objectives, samples include:
  • Certifications/training certificates
  • Professional evaluations
  • Awards/commendations.

Course Challenge Examination

Through a Course Challenge Examination, a student may earn credit by passing the equivalent of a cumulative end of term examination or paper. The purpose of a challenge exam is to determine students’ competency in a specific course. Developed by departmental faculty, credit may be earned for any course for which NDMU can prepare and administer a suitable examination or assessment. Examinations vary depending on the type of course challenged and some courses are excluded.

Credit for Military Education

In alignment with the Veteran’s Full Employment Act of 2013 (§15-113 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland), students who have served or are currently serving in the United States military may receive college credit for basic training, military occupational specialties, and other military course work. Official documentation must be submitted to the University Registrar. Work will be evaluated per the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services by the American Council on Education (ACE).

For more information, please visit the ACE Military Guide website at https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Military-Guide-Online.aspx

Eligibility Requirements

1. Student must be admitted to an approved NDMU program.
2. Students must have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for courses taken to date and are not on academic probation.
3. Student may not be enrolled in the course for which they plan to apply for CPL.
4. Students may not apply for CPL for courses in which the student is currently enrolled, has previously taken (earned a grade, failed, or withdrawn), or has transferred from another institution.
5. Student must verify with their advisor that the course(s) for which CPL credit is being requested apply to the requirements outlined in their academic plan.
6. Student must verify with their advisor that courses for which CPL credit is being requested are in alignment with NDMU’s residence requirements.
7. Student has had fewer than 30 credits awarded for prior learning.
8. Students pursing a Portfolio Evaluation will have completed their 1st term, ENGL101 or an equivalent course, and have attended a PLA workshop prior to applying.
9. Students pursing a Course Challenge are limited to two challenge examination attempts per course.
10. Courses/Requirements that may not be awarded CPL:
    • Capstone/Outcome Courses
    • Senior Seminars
    • Internships, Clinicals, Practicums, or Fieldwork Placements
    • Study Abroad Courses or Experiences
    • Senior or Masters Theses
    • Doctoral Dissertations

Procedures:

General

The School Dean, or designee, in collaboration with the Department Chair and Registrar, will determine standardized course equivalencies for recognized Credit by Examination and Credit for Military Education methods. Admission Counselors, Academic Advisors, and Registrar staff will be trained in order to inform each admitted student on the availability of CPL opportunities specific to their individual circumstances.

Students will be informed of the process through a variety of mediums (including admissions, orientation, website, etc.) and solicited to submit any Credit by Examination or Credit for Military Education information for formal evaluation by the Registrar’s Office. Informal equivalency information may also be communicated by Admissions Counselors and Academic Advisors. Policy and procedure information will be easily accessible on the University’s website and in the University Catalog.

Procedures for Credit by Prior Learning Assessment:

1. Student must identify one or more courses that relates to their previous experience and knowledge and fits into their degree program.
2. Student must attend a pre-application PLA workshop and apply to the Registrar’s Office to initiate the PLA process.
3. The Registrar will determine if the student meets the eligibility requirements to petition for PLA.
4. If approved, the Registrar’s Office will notify the student and the relevant School Dean or designee.
5. The School Dean or designee will:
   1. Determine what method(s) of assessment are available for the requested course(s);
   2. Determine, in consultation with the student and Department Chair, the appropriate method of assessment, CPL method expectations, and timeframe; and
   3. If applicable, assign a subject matter expert faculty member to administer the PLA assessment.
   4. The School Dean or designee will inform the Registrar of the agreed upon assessment method, and the Registrar will assess the applicable non-refundable CPL fee.
   5. Upon confirmation of the payment of the applicable CPL fee, the designated faculty may proceed with the PLA, and if applicable, provide the student with the course syllabus.
   6. Upon completion of grading, assigned faculty will complete the Portfolio Evaluation form for each course where credit was requested signifying approval or denial with sufficient explanation. The assigned faculty member will forward the completed evaluation to the School Dean, and the Registrar for fee assessment, posting and communication to the student.

Timeline for Credit by Prior Learning Assessment:

Additional Information/Limitations:

1. Being granted approval to petition for CPL does not guarantee that credit will be awarded.
2. Whether a request for CPL is approved or denied, CPA fees are non-refundable. CPL fees are listed in the tuition and fees schedule and are reviewed annually.
3. CPL Credit Recording Fees do not apply to AP or IB examinations.
4. The process for determining whether a CPL may be awarded may take up to one semester.
5. Portfolios become the property of NDMU upon submission.
6. If credit is awarded, the PLA receives a grade of “P”; the PLA does not receive a letter grade nor will it affect GPA. If credit is denied, there is no effect on a student’s transcript or GPA.  PLA submissions are limited to two attempts with faculty permission, and there is no appeal process for a PLA denied credit.
7. The student is responsible for arranging any approved external exams (such as CLEP, DSST, National Exams, etc.), for paying all associated fees, and is responsible for arranging for official submission of exam scores from the agency to the NDMU Registrar’s Office.
8. There will be a maximum of thirty credit hours for Credit for Prior Learning courses that can be earned for a baccalaureate degree and a maximum of six hours for a graduate degree.  This includes credit earned through portfolio assessment, CLEP, DSST, AP, IB, proficiency through ACE for corporate training, or challenge exams.