St. Cloud Technical College students may apply to obtain course credit based on previous relevant life/work experience. The experience shall be:

• From employment or workshop learning.
• Recent and relevant.
• Of satisfactory performance.
• Students must demonstrate college level learning through a portfolio process.
  

1. Hour/Credit Ratio
   College credit granted shall not be based on hours of experience but on relevant college level learning attained. Learning must meet standards as set by course syllabi.
   
   
2. Maximum Number of Credits Granted
   The maximum number of credits awarded for prior learning may typically be one third or less of the number required for the student's major program.
   
   
3. Recency
   The life/work experiences must have taken place within five (5) years prior to the request date.
   
   
4. Self-employment/volunteer work
   Students may submit self-employment and/or volunteer experience for consideration. The major program faculty will establish criteria for evaluating such experience on a case-by-case basis. A life learning paper may be required as part of the portfolio.
   
   
5. Grade
   Credit awarded for college level learning shall be noted on the official student transcript with a grade of CR.
   
   
6. Cost
   A non-refundable fee shall be assessed prior to evaluation for each course for which college credit is being requested.

1. Compile a portfolio which consists of:
   
   
   • A completed Verification of Work Experience form.
     
   • A completed Request for Credit Based on Life/Work Experience form.
   • Student transcript and current term schedule and program planner.
   • Cover letter explaining how prior learning meets standards as set by course syllabi.
   • An up-to-date resume.
   • Applicable course syllabi and learning performance objectives.
   • Detailed record of each learning performance objective and how it was met. Record should be done in outline form reflecting both experience and learning. The order of learning performance objectives must correspond to the sequence presented in the course syllabi. Those objectives not met must be stated as such.
   • Seminar/workshop content outlines and completion certificates
   • Relevant work samples, letters of recommendation, licenses
     
     
2. Pay non-refundable fee is assessed for each course for which credit is being requested. Fees must be paid in the business office.
   
   
3. Submit documents to Office of Records and Registration.
   
   
4. Registrar will forward the portfolio to a faculty member trained in prior learning assessment. The student will receive a written response within thirty (30) days.
   
   
5. Appeals may be forwarded to the Sr. Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Appeals will be answered in writing within ten(10) working days.
   
   
6. The Office of Records and Registration will retain permanently all documents used to verify the credit award for experiential learning.