Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Graduate Studies Policy

1. Purpose
Ball State University offers opportunities for students to earn credit toward a degree by providing evidence of knowledge acquired independently, at work, in the military, through certifications, courses, and in other ways. 

This policy provides guidance to students seeking to obtain college credit(s) for prior experiential learning or through non-credit training programs that are equivalent to college coursework.   The decision to offer CPL is made by the graduate program and department chair, with the approval of the college dean.  Departments may elect to not offer CPL opportunities to graduate students. 

Credit earned by CPL counts toward graduation requirements, but students do not receive a grade for it. Any credits earned through CPL are considered as “transfer” classes, and students may transfer no more than 50% of the total master’s degree credit hour requirements. (These allowable transfer credits include credits earned through CPL and classes transferred in from other institutions). Departments may set more restrictive limits on the number of transfer credits they accept.  No transfer classes are allowed to be applied to a Ball State graduate certificate.  Prior learning credit will not be awarded to students who have been enrolled or are currently enrolled in the courses for credit or audit.

There are multiple ways to accelerate your educational journey through previously learned competencies and non-academic prior learning experiences:

• Credit earned through military service
• Credit for work and non-academic prior learning experiences (demonstrated portfolio of skills)
• Credit by credential via Ball State Lifetime Learning or through non-Ball State credential providers.Credit by departmental examination            

2. Credit for Prior Learning Types and Definitions
Competency or skills-based learning may be determined to be equivalent to credit earned through the completion of graduate courses.  Prior learning credits may be based on:

A. MILITARY SERVICE and TRAINING – Credit for prior learning from recognition of military experience and training as documented on a Joint Service Transcript (JST). This is done in conjunction with the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations and standards.

B. PORTFOLIO – Credit by departmental authorization may be awarded for learning experiences the department believes to be the equivalent of college work. A written narrative document where students explain their prior experiences and describe how these match the expected student outcomes of an existing college course is required. The assessment process adheres to the high level of academic rigor found at accredited higher learning institutions, which follows the Ten Standards for Quality Assurance in Assessing Learning by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

C. NON-CREDIT CREDENTIALS – Credit may be awarded for non-credit certifications and courses offered through Lifetime Learning or another provider where a course equivalency has been established by the relevant academic department with approval from the college dean.

D. DEPARTMENTAL EXAM – Any department may, at its discretion and with the approval of the college dean, administer an examination for any course offered in the department. The department also determines the standards for passing these examinations. Students who earn passing scores will be granted credit for the courses. Credit by examination will not be awarded to students who have been enrolled or are currently enrolled in the courses for credit or audit.

3. Responsible Parties
The Graduate School with input from the Registrar, DOSL, and Lifetime Learning , is responsible for establishing procedures under this policy.

4. Assessment Procedures and Fees
The assessment of experiential or competency-based learning will be conducted by the University’s designated credit for prior learning (CPL) coordinator in conjunction with qualified faculty within the academic program (as well as the program director) for which credit is desired. Requests for prior learning assessment credit should be made to Lifetime Learning. Lifetime Learning will route requests to the appropriate program based on the student’s experience and goals. The Registrar’s Office will be notified of all decisions and will maintain records.

Portfolio Evaluation
The CPL coordinator(s) in the Division of Lifetime Learning will initiate the portfolio evaluation process after consulting with the relevant program director. The portfolio will be evaluated by the faculty member or expert most familiar with the course content for which credit is being sought. Portfolio reviewers should base their evaluation on national standards established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). The evaluation recommendation must be approved by the respective graduate program director, the department chair, and the college dean. If approved, credit will be awarded by the Registrar’s Office. If not approved, the portfolio evaluator should provide detailed feedback explaining the reason for the denial.

To get started, students must fill out the online eligibility form, provide a resume, unofficial transcripts, and evidence or documentation of prior learning. Evidence includes sample work products, projects or work-based experiences, training certificates, certifications, or digital badges, workplace evaluations, letters of recommendation, multimedia – photographs, videos, published articles, essays, blogs, etc.

Fees: All students requesting portfolio review will pay a $150 processing fee.   These fees cannot be paid for with federal financial aid and will not be refunded if the portfolio receives no credit. 

Portfolio Review Appeals Process: There is no guarantee that a submitted portfolio will result in an award of credit. Portfolio reviewers base their evaluation on national standards established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and on expertise in the subject matter. Appeals may occur when the program director denies the student credit for their claim. The department chair of the relevant department will review appeals. The decision of the department chair is final. To be eligible for an appeal, the student must demonstrate that one the following criteria applies:

• The standard assessment process was not followed.
• Feedback from the portfolio assessor was not sufficient.
• The student demonstrates evidence of bias in the review process.

Credit by Credential
Ball State recognizes that there is value to providing credit for noncredit programs that may increase access to our current credit programs. Memorandums of Understanding will be developed between Lifetime Learning and one or more of the seven academic colleges. Student earns the articulation credential through Lifetime Learning (articulation badge), and it is submitted through a secured link to the Registrar’s Office.

For credentials and certifications earned outside of Ball State University, competencies will be verified, and a credit award recommendation will be achieved by either The American Council on Education (ACE) National Credit Registry, verification from the issuing organization/institution; and/or assessment by qualified faculty.  The graduate program director is responsible for authorizing the equivalency to Ball State graduate credit, with approval of the department chair and the college dean.

For more information, visit bsu.edu/admissions/credit to learn how Ball State awards advanced credit. Ball State University will accept courses for transfer evaluation and advanced standing credit transcript posting only if the student is currently enrolled.

Amendment

The Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs is authorized to amend this policy. Any modifications necessitated for legal compliance shall be made in consultation with the Vice President and General Counsel.