Do I have to be a UofM student to earn Experiential Learning Credit through UofM?
I think I want to do a portfolio. How do I get started?
I have a lot of work experience, but I don't want to do a portfolio. May I get Experiential
Learning Credit?
I don't have the money for a deposit right now. May I still get started with Experiential
Learning Credit?
How much does Experiential Learning Credit cost?
What should I put down for "Areas of Study" on the Letter of Intent?
My advisor doesn't seem to know anything about Experiential Learning Credit. What
should I do if I have questions?
How do I pay my deposit? How much is it? Will I get my money back if I don't earn
any credit?
I am an RN-BSN student. How do I get started?
I received an award letter, now what?
Will my credit hours automatically appear on my transcript after I have received my
award letter?
Does ELC credit effect my GPA?
How can I get my Joint Service Transcript (JST) evaluated?
Where do I go to make a payment?
Is there a deadline to enroll in the portfolio development course?
How long does it take to complete a portfolio?
I am still not sure about doing the portfolio even after reading the instructions.
Is there someone I can talk to?
Answers
Do I have to be a UofM student to earn Experiential Learning Credit through UofM?
The ELC Portfolio and Pre Assessed Credit process is intended for admitted and enrolled students. Please note: if you are not currently enrolled as a tuition student at the University of Memphis, but would like to construct a prior learning portfolio, please contact the Experiential Learning Coordinator to learn how to get started with the process through Continuing Education.
I think I want to do a portfolio. How do I get started?
Students interested in pursuing ELC through the creation of a learning portfolio should follow these steps: Please note: if you are not currently enrolled as a tuition student at the University of Memphis, but would like to construct a prior learning portfolio, please contact the Experiential Learning Coordinator to learn how to get started with the process through Continuing Education.
1. Current enrolled student contacts Academic Advisor to ensure ELC will fulfill degree requirements.
2. Student views the Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) Orientation Powerpoint.* [ELC PowerPoint]
*If using Internet Explorer, please choose the "save" option and then open the Powerpoint presentation.
3. Student completes the Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI serves as the petition for prior learning credit and as the agreement for participating in the ELC program.
4. Student submits a non-refundable evaluation fee equal to one credit hour of experiential learning credit ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate). Should the portfolio be judged by the expert reviewer to be worthy of college credit, the evaluation fee will be credited toward the student's remaining balance based on the credit hours granted. An additional fee ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate) will be charged for each credit hour awarded.
5. Student completes the seven progressive modules in the Experiential Learning Credit course.
6. Credit may be awarded based on the faculty assessor's determination that the portfolio provides sufficient evidence that the knowledge and skills a student has acquired outside the classroom are equivalent to what one would acquire in respective coursework.
7. Student is notified of faculty evaluator's decision via email. Student will discuss the credit award with their academic advisor to determine how the credits will apply to the student's degree program. Instructions concerning total payment due will be included in this communication.
Many individuals have completed various kinds of training for which they have earned credentials. Certain professional and standardized training, licensure and certification experiences whose content is equivalent to offerings from the UofM have been evaluated by faculty for credit hours. Examples of such education credit include Microsoft Certifications and Paramedics License. Current enrolled students are allowed to provide original documentation as proof of satisfactory completion for prior learning experiences. See a complete list of Pre-Assessed Experiences.
How much does Experiential Learning Credit cost?
Student submits a non-refundable evaluation fee equal to one credit hour of experiential learning credit ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate). In the case of a portfolio, if the portfolio be judged by the expert reviewer to be worthy of college credit, the evaluation fee will be credited toward the student's remaining balance based on the credit hours granted. An additional fee ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate) will be charged for each credit hour awarded. Pre-assessed credit costs the same per credit hour ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate).
While you are gathering funds to pay your deposit, you may begin the steps to enroll in the Experiential Learning Portfolio course outlined on the Portfolio Development page. When you have the money for the deposit, you can proceed to Step 4.
1. Current enrolled student contacts Academic Advisor to ensure ELC will fulfill degree requirements.
2. Student views the Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) Orientation Powerpoint.*
*If using Internet Explorer, please choose the "save" option and then open the Powerpoint presentation.
3. Student completes the Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI serves as the petition for prior learning credit and as the agreement for participating in the ELC program.
What should I put down for "Area of Study" on the Letter of Intent?
The Areas of Study on your Letter of Intent will be specific to your experience and to the requirements for your program of study. Consult with your academic advisor concerning appropriate Areas of Study. Generally speaking there are two ways to approach this decision:
Course Match Portfolio is written to demonstrate that the student has specific experiential learning that validates completion of the learning outcomes of a particular course that is already found in the course catalog at University of Memphis.
Unique Area of Study Portfolio is written to demonstrate the unique learning outcomes that can be found in the student's learning through experience.
Consult your advisor to ensure that you are able to use Experiential Learning Credit in your degree program. Discuss Course Match vs Unique Area of Study with your advisor.
Submission of the Letter of Intent and the deposit ($75.00 for undergraduate credit; $100.00 for graduate credit) is required prior to beginning the Experiential Learning Credit Portfolio.
Please contact us with questions using the Contact link on the left menu.
How do I pay my deposit? How much is it? Will I get my money back if I don't earn any credit?
The deposit can be paid by following instructions in item 4 here. A deposit of $75.00 for undergraduate credit or $100.00 for graduate credit is required prior to beginning the Experiential Learning Credit Portfolio. This fee will not be refunded if you don't earn any credit.
I am an RN-BSN student. How do I get started?
Please refer to Am I a Candidate for the Experiential Learning Credit Portfolio? for help with making the decision to do a portfolio. Once you have decided that the portfolio is right for you, please see "I think I want to do a portfolio. How do I get started?"
I received an award letter, now what?
Your award letter will outline the credits that have been awarded. Discuss these credits with your academic advisor to make sure that you can use them in your degree program. You may choose to accept the whole award or part of it. Contact elc_programs@memphis.edu to communicate your decision.
The award letter will also contain information about how to pay for the credits you
have been awarded. As with any course, you must pay before your credits can be posted.
Will my credit hours automatically appear on my transcript after I have received my
award letter?
Your award letter is a notification of an award. As with any course, you must pay
before your credits can be posted.
Does ELC credit effect my GPA?
ELC is not issued grades, but rather awarded credit hours. ELC cannot replace a failing
grade or duplicate previously earned credit for a course.
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How can I get my Joint Service Transcript (JST) evaluated?
Check out the information provided at: https://www.memphis.edu/cree/elc/militarytranscripts.php
Where do I go to make a payment?
Initially the student submits a non-refundable evaluation fee equal to one credit
hour of experiential learning credit ($75 per credit hour for undergraduate and $100 per credit hour for graduate). Additional payment should not be made until an award letter is issued.
Is there a deadline to enroll in the portfolio development course?
The portfolio development course should be completed within a semester. Therefore it is suggested that enrollment be made early in the semester. However, portfolio development courses are self paced, and enrollment can be facilitated at other times. Enrollment requests late in the semester may result in enrollment in the next semester.
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How long does it take to complete a portfolio?
Portfolio courses are self paced. Our intent is that you complete the portfolio within
a semester. An agressive 8 week timeline is suggested. However, since the courses
are self pace, you will manage when you begin and when you complete the portfolio.
I am still not sure about doing the portfolio even after reading the instructions.
Is there someone I can talk to?
Contact our Experiential Learning Credit Lab Coordinator Karen Thurmond at kthurmnd@memphis.edu or at (901) 678-3658 to discuss the portfolio.