Assessment of Credit for Life/Work Experience

Students can receive credit for prior relevant college-level learning acquired either through formal schooling or some types of occupational experience. Each student works with an advisor to define his or her program of study, giving careful consideration to high school background, test results, interests, talents, attitudes, and goals.

Credit may be granted for satisfactory performance on examinations; and appropriate work experience. The student contacts the Center for Student Success office, then meets with an advisor to determine if the life experience evaluation is appropriate to his or her educational program.

The student must submit a portfolio which consists of all documentation he or she considers relevant.

Required are:

  1. A cover letter stating the number of credits requested, the areas in which the credit is being requested, and names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of persons to be consulted regarding each experience;
  2. A detailed description of each experience for which credit is requested;
  3. A letter from on-site supervisors or employers confirming the nature, duration and quality of the work; and
  4. Students may need to be interviewed for more information.

As documentation, the applicant may be asked to:

  1. Complete written and/or performance tests; up to 40 credit hours may be from outside sources such as National Auto Mechanics Tests, which can be utilized to demonstrate an appropriate level of ability or knowledge.
  2. Complete in-house tests such as placement and/or proficiency examinations prepared by faculty members at WSCO.

In summary, the primary assessment techniques for life experience credit are documents, reports and testimony from external sources along with faculty evaluation at WSCO.

The committee will decide how many credits will be awarded and in what particular areas the credit will be granted. The student will be notified of the committee’s decision as soon as possible; however, the credit is not actually awarded until the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 semester hours at WSCO.

The cost to the student includes any tests from outside sources and review of the portfolio material by the appropriate faculty and dean.

The transfer of Life Experience Credit to another college is determined by the receiving institution. Each college has a policy which determines the transfer of credits.