1.8. Award of CPL for Prior Learning Portfolio
1.8.1. Purpose
KCTCS awards academic credit for experiential learning which leads to mastery of course competencies, and documents that learning through a prior learning portfolio, which may be electronic.
1.8.2. Definition
Prior Learning Portfolios based on experiential learning – The evaluation of prior learning portfolios is a formal faculty-validated process to document the equivalency of experiential learning in the workplace to the knowledge and skills needed to achieve mastery of course competencies. A prior learning portfolio is a collection of materials that provides evidence of the student’s skills and knowledge. Experiential learning comes in a variety of forms and may include prior apprenticeships, formal employment, or volunteering.
1.8.3. Role of Faculty and Associated Procedures
Individual colleges may award academic credit via experiential learning experiences when determined as appropriate by program- or discipline-specific faculty. Students can demonstrate mastery via a prior learning portfolio process created by the individual college. Program- or discipline-specific faculty may recommend direct course equivalency, general education elective, and/or technical elective credit be awarded. Documentation of qualifications for course credit must be provided by the student and validated by the reviewing faculty member. This documentation will be retained by the registrar's office.
1.8.4. Role of Administrative Staff and Associated Procedures
The program- or discipline-specific faculty member shall notify the registrar’s staff once a student’s prior learning portfolio evaluation is completed, and the faculty member will provide validation through documentation. If credit is determined to be appropriate, then the registrar’s staff will award the academic credit to the student. Academic course credit awarded via prior learning portfolio will not count towards the residency requirement. KCTCS shall charge a student a standardized fee prior to the submission and review of a prior learning portfolio according to the KCTCS fee schedule.
Section VI - Appendix D, Licensures, Registries, Proficiency Examinations, and Industry Standard Examinations are published on SharePoint (https://kctcs.sharepoint.com/sites/AcademicLeadership/senate/SitePages/Credit-For-Prior.aspx).
