Experiential Learning Credit

Graduate students in certain programs may be given credit for post-baccalaureate experiential learning which appropriately meets both the objectives of their degree programs and the general criteria established by the Graduate Academic Committee as explained below.

Experiential learning is defined as “learning acquired through work experience, life experience, service experience and other special accomplishments which occur outside a classroom” (Adopted from the 1977 statement by the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States).

The following criteria must be met to ensure the academic integrity of credit granted for experiential learning:

1. The experience must be significant and pertinent to the degree program.
2. The experience must have taken place since the earning of the undergraduate degree and must result in graduate-level learning.
3. The experience must be validated. Validation is met by students’ presentation of written documentary evidence describing the nature, extent, and quality of learning experiences, as well as the specific times, places, and circumstances in which they occurred.
   1. In the case of experience gained before matriculation for the master’s degree, students’ materials must be given documented review and confirmation by persons determined by the graduate faculty to be appropriate professionals who have witnessed the students’ accomplishments and can attest to the significance and graduate quality of the learning experiences.
   2. In the case of experience gained after matriculation for the master’s degree, students’ learning will be supervised by appropriate non-faculty professionals in the areas of the experiences. Students’ faculty advisors will monitor the planning, establishment of goals, expenditure of time and effort, and resultant learning. On-site evaluation of the experiences will be made by appropriate faculty members where the learning experience is presently observable. Written account and evaluation of the several phases of the experiences will be submitted by the evaluating faculty members to the advisors for keeping in the students’ academic files.
4. All documented evidence and reviews of students’ learning experiences must meet the approval of the department chair and program faculty before the granting of credit.

Credit for experiential learning is not granted until all degree requirements are met. Students who are interested in applying for credit for experience should begin this procedure well in advance of graduation, but not before earning at least 12 credits with a grade of “B” or better. The usual number of credits to be granted for experiential learning is three. A maximum of six credits may be granted. Each program makes its own determination of the application of experiential learning toward completion of degree requirements. Students in teaching certification programs should be aware that credit for experience is not ordinarily a possibility. A fee of $100 for evaluation is charged for each graduate credit assessed. Additional information can be obtained through the Graduate Admissions office.