Credit for Prior Learning/Work Experience

Credit for Prior Learning/Work Experience
 

Overview:

Undergraduate students may request a review for credit based on prior learning or experience.

 

How-To:

Requests for credit via prior learning/work experience must directly correspond to academic coursework offered by Dakota State University. The experiential learning must be fully described and documented by the student in writing to indicate the direct correspondence or equivalence to specific university course(s). Requests should be evaluated by external supervisors, if appropriate, and by University officials in light of the student's educational objectives.

1. Students prepare a cover memo to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, stating the course(s) for which he/she would like to receive prior learning credit. In addition to the memo, the student's application for prior learning should include:
   1. Transcript for the course(s) (either an original or a copy) that includes the course prefix, number, title and date of enrollment;
   2. Course syllabus;
   3. Name of instructor;
   4. Any course projects that seem appropriate;
   5. Statement/memo from the student's DSU advisor, indicating the student and the advisor have discussed the student's application and the advisor agrees that prior learning credit is appropriate for this student in this major; and
   6. $50 per transcript processing fee

In cases where the prior learning application is based on experiential learning, rather than completed coursework, the student is expected to put together a portfolio that demonstrates this experience. This document should include:

1. Statements from work supervisors (or the company's human resources director) indicating job requirements and skills needed for the position held;
2. Examples of work projects;
3. Written statement from student that explains why/how the artifacts demonstrate the appropriate level of learning;
4. $50 per course processing fee

2. Student memo plus documentation is submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
3. A faculty committee is appointed to review the application and reports its recommendation to the college dean, who forwards the recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Registrar's Office, the student, and advisor are notified by the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the committee's recommendation. 

The Registrar's Office will post the credit awarded to the student's account once all processing fees have been paid in full.