Wilmington University grants academic credit for course completion in a number of ways beyond the traditional and virtual classroom setting. Credit may be granted through transfer credit, for work completed at another academic institution, or related work completed in the manners listed below. A brief description follows. Additional information may be found on the University website located at http://www.wilmu.edu/academics/altcredit.aspx or from an Academic Advisor or Site Director. Please see your program chair for additional information.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Credit for Prior learning (CPL), sometimes referred to as “experiential learning”, is knowledge obtained outside the typical university setting. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) defines prior learning as the assessment and award of credit for learning and knowledge students acquire while living their lives: working, participating in employer training programs, serving in the military, studying independently, volunteering or doing community service, and studying open-source courseware. Credit for prior learning may be granted for verifiable learning gained through experience, but not for the experience itself.
Wilmington University allows, through any combination of CPL, including credits from alternative providers, a maximum of 75 undergraduate semester credit hours to apply toward a bachelor’s degree. Students must meet program, upper level, and residency requirements for CPL credit to apply. Associate degree programs allow a maximum of 24 undergraduate semester credit hours through any combination of CPL. Students pursuing an associate degree must meet program and residency requirements for CPL credit to apply.
CPL credit may have implications on student financial aid; as such students are encouraged to coordinate with their student financial aid advisor to avoid any impacts on financial awards or eligibility. Students granted CPL credit are not guaranteed that their credit will transfer to another higher education institution. Students are encouraged to check the policies at the intended transfer institution prior to the completion of CPL.
Additional information on CPL can be found on the University web site:https://www.wilmu.edu/prior-learning/index.aspx or by contacting your Academic Advisor.
The following subsections provide descriptions of the approved CPL sources.
Challenge by Examination
Challenge by examination measures graduate-level knowledge through an examination process. Challenge by examination is limited to graduate prerequisites. Students interested in challenge by examination must register in advance for the specific course and, upon payment of the specified fee, will receive notification of prearranged date, time, and place of examination. Results of the examination will be available to the student no later than one week prior to registration for the next block.
Credit by Portfolio Assessment (PLA)
Credit may be granted for prior learning competency(s) through the development of a graduate-level portfolio that demonstrates advanced learning and application of course objectives. The portfolio must include a learning narrative and supporting documentation relevant to the area in which credit is sought. Portfolios are evaluated by faculty with appropriate subject matter expertise.
Credit is awarded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and will be assigned a grade of “S” or “U.” Exceptions to the grading policy may occur with approval of the Academic Dean of the College. A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be earned through portfolio assessment. Credit earned through portfolio assessment is considered residency credit.
NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, Portfolio Assessments (Prior Learning Assessments, or PLA) credits are considered residency credits.
Directed Study
Directed study is available only under extenuating circumstances for students who are approved by their Academic Dean or Program Chair one month prior to the semester registration period in which the directed study is to be conducted. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the directed study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Enrollment as an Auditor
Students who wish to audit a specific course for no credit may do so by seeking permission of an Academic Advisor or Site Director. Students may then follow established registration procedures, clearly stating which courses they wish to audit. Course auditors pay the same tuition as non-auditors and may participate fully in classroom activities. They are not required to take examinations or complete class assignments. Course auditors receive a grade of “AU” (audit) that does not affect grade point average (GPA).
Extra-Institutional Course Assessment (ECA)
The University recognizes that college-level learning takes place both in and out of the classroom. A process of reviewing corporate training programs and other formal training/courses offered by non-accredited institutions/entities has been implemented to determine if college-level learning is present and to determine what credit, if any, should be awarded for the prior learning.
Graduate level ECA credit often requires independent study, original research, critical analysis, or the professional application of the specialized knowledge within the discipline.
Independent Study
Students desiring to study areas of knowledge outside of disciplines available through regular course work must secure written permission from the appropriate Academic Dean or Program Chair one month (minimum) prior to the semester’s registration period in which the independent study is to be conducted. Tuition and fees for independent study are the same as those for standard courses. Independent study is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A maximum of six (6) credits may be earned through the independent study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Internships
Internships provide first-hand experiences upon which future career choices can be based as students gain a better understanding of the relationship between theoretical concepts and their practical application.