The Prior Learning Portfolio is the process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of learning acquired through formal and informal study. The learning may include work and life experience, independent study, volunteering, non-credit courses or workshops. The Prior Learning Portfolio process allows students to verify that they already possess the skills and/or knowledge required in some college level courses.
Click on the links above to learn how to apply for credits or hours through the Prior Learning Portfolio.
The process is outlined as follows:
Initiator: Student
Process: Student initiates the process by following the process below under "Information for Students". A faculty member/program manager/program instructor is identified to review the student’s application. If accepted, the student prepares the portfolio that may include a skills assessment. The faculty member/program manager/program instructor assesses the portfolio and assigns a passing or non-passing grade. If the student is awarded a passing grade, the associate dean files the appropriate form with the Registrar’s Office.
PBCC Office(s) Responsible for Processing: Faculty Member/Program Manager/Program Instructor, Associate Dean, Dean, Registrar
Fees: Based on the credits/hours of the course:
• 1 credit - $50.00, 2 credits $75.00, 3 credits and above $100.00
• 10-50 clock hours - $50.00, 51-150 clock hours -$75.00, 151 clock hours and above - $100.00
Eligibility: Student must:
• Be admitted to the program to which the credit/hours will apply
•Have earned at least 25% of the program credits/hours
Proviso(s): No more than 75% of the program credits/hours may be earned through the prior learning portfolio process
Transfer courses or general education courses may NOT be earned through the prior learning assessment process.
Information for Students
The Prior Learning Portfolio at Palm Beach Community College is an academic process where college credit or clock hours can be granted in career-type courses that are AS degree and PSAV clock hour courses. AA transfer courses are not eligible for this process.
This is a formal process that is based on the review of relevant materials produced by the student. These materials are presented in a portfolio format for faculty and/or staff review. In some courses, a skill assessment is also required for meeting the course competency requirements.
The steps below will help you determine if a Prior Learning Portfolio is right for you and will outline the process and its requirements.
Student Requirements for a Prior Learning Portfolio
1. Student must be award-seeking and be admitted to the program of study (degree, certificate or diploma).
2. Student must have earned at least 25% of the credits or clock hours listed in the program.
Step 1 - Is a Prior Learning Portfolio right for you?
As you look at the skills and competencies you need for your AS/AAS degree or certificate, you might see career-level courses in which you already have significant experience or knowledge. Please note that any AA transfer-level courses required in your program such as English, mathematics, humanities, social science or science cannot be earned through a Prior Learning Portfolio, as governed by the college's accrediting organization.
If you determine that an AS or PSAV course exists in your program in which you would like to apply for Prior Learning Portfolio credit, please follow the steps below.
Step 2 - Learn more details about the course in which you would like to apply for credit/clock hours
All PBCC courses have detailed course outlines available through the Internet at http://www.pbcc.edu/x4247.xml. This course outline will serve as the basis of your portfolio. The portfolio demonstrates how prior learning (formal and informal) helped you master the course objectives listed in the outline.
Step 3 - Fill-out Prior Learning Portfolio Information Form
To proceed with the process, fill out the Prior Learning Portfolio Information Form - the form can be downloaded by clicking here. Bring this form to an associate dean at your campus. This conveys to the associate dean and the faculty member your intent to pursue Prior Learning Assessment. If the form is approved, you may proceed with the next step of the process.
Step 4 - Payment and Portfolio Preparation
If the Prior Learning Portfolio Information Form has been approved, pay the appropriate fees as listed on the form at the Cashier's Office. Submit the Portfolio Information Form, a copy of the paid receipt along with the completed portfolio. The guidelines for preparing the portfolio can be accessed by clicking here. Please remember that payment does not guarantee that the credit or clock hours will be granted.
Step 5 - Review by Faculty/Staff
The faculty or staff member will review your portfolio and assess the level at which you have demonstrated mastery of the course competencies. In addition, you may be required to demonstrate any needed skills to satisfy course requirements.
You will have one opportunity to make corrections or show additional evidence of learning as required by the faculty or staff member. If the portfolio is approved by the faculty member, he/she sends it to the dean/associate dean for final approval. The associate dean will then forward a copy of the approved form to the Registrar's Office for posting to your transcript.
If the portfolio is approved, a passing grade will be issued, not a letter grade. A passing grade does not generate quality points; therefore this grade has no effect on your grade point average. Please allow 10 days for the course to appear on your transcript. You may access your transcript online through the www.facts.org system.
Questions?
If you have any questions on the Prior Learning Portfolio process, please email Dr. Ginger Pedersen at pederseg@pbcc.edu Prior Learning Portfolio Information for Faculty and Staff The Prior Learning Portfolio process at Palm Beach Community College is an academic process where college credit or clock hours can be granted in career-type courses (AS degree and PSAV clock hour courses). AA courses (transfer courses) are not eligible for prior learning assessment. This is a formal process that is based on the review of relevant materials produced by the student. These materials are presented in a portfolio format for faculty and/or staff review. In some cases, the student must also demonstrate skills needed to satisfy course objectives.
In this process, students follow a detailed plan as outlined above. This plan first involves contacting a faculty or staff member (as appropriate based on the type of program). You must agree to review the portfolio before the student actually prepares any materials or pays any fees.
Student Eligibility
In order for a student to participate in a Prior Learning Portfolio, the student must:
1. Be award-seeking and admitted to the program.
2. Have earned at least 25% of the program credits or clock hours.
Student's Responsibility
The portfolio that a student prepares is based upon a model (click here). The portfolio is based upon the course outline of the course as on file with Academic Services at http://www.pbcc.edu/x4247.xml
Evaluation of the Portfolio
In your evaluation of the portfolio, you determine the level at which the student has acheived the course objectives. As a general rule, all course and skill competencies should be achieved at a "C" grade level or higher. If you feel that significant gaps are present in demonstration of the course objectives, the student has one chance to make corrections to the portfolio by providing more evidence of learning.
If you approve the portfolio, the associate dean also reviews and approve the portfolio for granting of credit or clock hours.
Payment
Faculty and/or staff are compensated based upon the current PBCC Salary Schedule for Prior Learning Assessment.
Questions?
If you have any question on the Prior Learning Portfolio process, please email Dr. Ginger Pedersen at pederseg@pbcc.edu
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