Prior Learning Assessment

• I have worked as a professional in my field for at least three to five years.
• I have also worked in other professions for extended periods.
• I have attended work-related training such as computer workshops or interpersonal skills training.
• I have earned certifications that keep me up-to-date in my job and have helped me to get promotions.
• I have learned a lot of different things during my many years of working and involvement in the community.
• I have taught others what I know or coached colleagues.
• I perform as well as other people who have college degrees.
• I have learned some specific skills that help me daily at work.
• I want to learn more in my field, but I don’t think I need to start at the beginning.
• I have knowledge in my field that is quite extensive in certain areas.

If you have checked several of these, a portfolio may be a good option! All prior learning assessment credits must match with a Western Colorado University course.

Contact Registration & Advising Services for more information.

Save Money: Students will be charged a non-refundable fee equivalent to one-half the tuition for each semester hour of prior learning credit requested through portfolio assessment.

The payment for academic credit must be made before the Faculty Mentor evaluates the portfolio.

Save Time: Attain credit for what you have already learned in at least half the duration of a typical course.

Improve skillset: Understand how the classroom concepts translate directly into the prior knowledge and experience you have gained in the workplace.  Practice university-level writing skills and enhance your critical thinking skills by connecting your previous experience with course objectives and outcomes.

A portfolio is a formal collection of documents you submit to a faculty evaluator to demonstrate that you have achieved college-level learning through prior work or life experience. At Western, the portfolio includes:

• Completed Application for Prior Learning Credit and Portfolio Assessment Agreement
• Résumé
• Brief letter of submission covering your career, educational history, and a summary of your academic/career goals
• Most recent (unofficial) Western transcript and transfer audit report
• Course for which credit is requested, a current official course syllabus
• Course for which credit is requested, an essay illustrating how your experience addresses the course goals and learning outcomes
• Appropriate experiential documents (certificates, work samples, job descriptions, letters verifying authenticity, awards, licenses, or other documents related to specific course under consideration).

You must be a degree-seeking student currently enrolled and in good standing at Western.

Portfolio Assessment must be an approved method of credit for the department and course for which you are petitioning.

Need support putting it all together? 
Western now offers a one-credit, online, asynchronous course, Professional Development Workshop, which can help students learn how to craft a quality portfolio for review.

This course is designed for students who intend to submit portfolio work associated with the experience-based prior learning assessment process. It provides lessons and exercises for building the portfolio by developing writing skills and promoting analytic thinking and effective communication. While highly encouraged for students pursuing PLA credit, it is not required unless specified by the department.

Once the portfolio is complete, students will submit to their faculty mentor for final approval.