PLA portfolio for University Studies
If you have space in your degree plan for elective credits and meet the other prerequisites for PLA, you are encouraged to pursue PLA for University Studies credit. In this process, the university recognizes the learning gained through work, travel, volunteer, and self-directed learning projects. This learning often does not fit neatly with the learning outcomes for catalog courses, even though it is college level. For these reasons, Lewis University offers students the option to write a PLA Portfolio for University Studies or elective credit. Students pursuing PLA for elective credit do not have to match their learning exactly to a university catalog course.
To receive credit, you must write a narrative about what you learned and how you learned it and gather exhibits that provide support for your writing. The portfolio will contain a timeline/resume, an introductory essay, and letters of reference. Each section of the narratives will correspond to the academic divisions and departments of the typical university or college.
In order to pursue PLA for University Studies (elective credit), students must:
- attend a 1½ hour PLA Orientation Workshop
- enroll in a 1-credit hour course in portfolio preparation, LU 205 “Prior Learning Assessment Seminar.” This course is offered each semester.
The course meets once a month on a Saturday morning (four meetings total) and is offered each semester (three times/year). In the class, students learn how to identify relevant past learning experiences, construct an e-portfolio, write about their prior learning, and collect documentation about what they know. By the end of the course, students will complete one portfolio essay and outline the scope and timeline of their PLA Portfolio for University Studies Credit.
- maintain communication with the PLA Coordinator while they complete their portfolio. All students who take the “Prior Learning Assessment Seminar” will be automatically enrolled in “Ongoing Portfolio Development,” for one year or until they submit their portfolio for assessment, whichever comes first. “Ongoing Portfolio Development” is free of charge.
- complete their PLA Portfolio for University Studies Credit within one year from the completion of the “Prior Learning Assessment Seminar.”
- submit their portfolio to the interdisciplinary PLA Committee. The Committee interviews applicants upon completion of the portfolio and awards University Studies credits for PLA portfolios.
University Studies credit will not apply to the requirements of the major nor the general education or mission course requirements. University Studies credit may be used for general elective purposes only.
