Credit for Prior Learning

A portfolio process is a way for you to demonstrate what you already know and have accomplished based on significant life experience. A portfolio is a detailed written narrative with supporting documentation (sample work products, professional writing samples, workplace evaluations, letters of recommendations, certificates, etc.) that showcases your previous learning and knowledge. Portfolio development requires a great deal of writing, so college-level writing skills are a necessity. 

When you create your portfolio, you will reflect on your life experiences and prior learning to connect it to specific FGCU course(s) and the course learning outcomes or competencies. A successful portfolio, students demonstrate knowledge equivalent to college-level student for each course learning outcome and document their experience to demonstrate that the learning required for credit occurred. 

Follow these steps to complete the portfolio-based assessment process:  

Step 1: Take the Credit Predictor Quiz.

Step 2: Meet with FGCU Complete Navigator to discuss PLA, predictor quiz results, and other FGCU requirements, such as your degree plan, career planning, eligible courses for PLA credit, etc.  

Step 3: Write brief autobiography and review syllabi for courses you will pursue PLA credit and identify outcomes or competencies that you can demonstrate based on your life experience. Discuss with FGCU Complete Navigator to determine if it is possible for you to create a portfolio for a particular course. 

Step 4: Enroll in (via CANVAS) portfolio-based PLA non-credit course  

Step 5: Meet with FGCU Faculty Mentor to begin the portfolio process, develop a plan and timeframe for completion of the tasks associated with the PLA process (16-week maximum timeframe to complete the process after enrollment), and arrange a meeting with faculty member who is a subject matter expert to review Learning Outcomes Table, clarify outcomes or competencies, obtain course text or other course resources, etc. A program may also identify an additional or alternative action (to the portfolio) that the student must do to receive credit, such as performance, an interview or having a particular certification. 

Step 6: Complete a learning contract and pay CPL/PLA fee (minimum of $325 initial portfolio and $200 each proceeding portfolio). Fees can be paid online or by calling (239) 745-4700. 

Step 7: Continue to work with faculty mentor on written narrative and supporting documentation. Develop draft of portfolio and submit (via CANVAS) to faculty mentor for review and feedback.  

          A typical portfolio is organized as follow:  
          - Cover letter 
          - Unofficial transcript 
          - Target Course Syllabus 
          - Résumé 
          - Brief autobiography 
          - Learning Narrative, typically organized by learning outcome 
          - References 
          - Appendices (i.e. supporting documentation) 

Step 8: Assemble final portfolio and submit to CANVAS for final evaluation of approval/denial by the FGCU faculty member who is a subject matter expert. 

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete all eight steps in the 16-week timeframe. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed. Fees paid for assessment are non-refundable.  

The challenge exam process is examinations created by FGCU departmental faculty to measure student learning outcomes achievement that, upon passing, returning students earn credit for the corresponding course.

Follow these steps to complete a Challenge Exam: 

Step 1: Meet with FGCU Complete Navigator to discuss PLA, eligible course for a challenge exam, and other FGCU requirements, such as your degree plan, career planning, etc.

Step 2: Work with FGCU Complete Navigator to schedule an exam created by the FGCU faculty member who is a subject matter expert

Step 3: Pay CPL/PLA fee ($200 each challenge exam)

Step 4: Complete Challenge Exam and submit to be graded for final evaluation by faculty expert  

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete all four steps. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed. Fees paid for assessment are non-refundable.  

Certification, license, or other formal designation awarded after completion of a formal training program.

Non-credit bearing programs where students master competencies that may align with credit-bearing courses and programs offered through a college or university. 

FGCU can evaluate your military service for college credit. FGCU considers military service credit utilizing the American Council on Education (ACE) course equivalency information. Credits are awarded based on the recommendations of ACE and the evaluation of their equivalency to FGCU courses; however, ACE’s recommendations are not binding upon the university.  

Follow these steps to have your coursework evaluated for credit: 

Step 1: Request transcripts from Joint Services Transcript (JST). Air Force transcripts can be requested from Air University (AU).

Step 2: Send official transcripts to the Undergraduate Admissions office for evaluation.

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete the two steps for the evaluation process. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed. 

FGCU can award credit for Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced International Certificate of Education Program (AICE), the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), or Excelsior College Exams (UExcel) if an applicant meets the qualifiers or standards for each program.  

To learn more about the exam score requirements, refer to Equivalency Tables 2022-2023  

Follow these steps to have your exam(s) reviewed for credit: 

Step 1: Request official exam results or official transcripts

Step 2: Send official exam results or transcripts to the Undergraduate Admissions office for  evaluation 

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete the two steps for the evaluation process. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed. 

Additional National Standardized Exam Resources  

Modern States - Tuition free, courses online - Prepare for Exams

Advanced Placement (AP) 
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) 
Advanced International Certificate of Education Program (AICE) 
International Baccalaureate (IB) 
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) 
Excelsior College Exams 

By taking select online courses with ACE Alternative Credit Project you can build up credits for general education courses that can transfer directly to FGCU. As you complete your online courses, you’ll build a college transcript with American Council on Education (ACE), the sponsor of Alternative Credit Project.  

Follow these steps to have your ACE training evaluated:

Step 1: Request an official ACE transcript. Once you create an account you will select the courses you have completed and the appropriate educational institution. Be sure to search for the courses under the organization title Alternative Credit Project Ecosystem

Step 2: Send official transcript to Undergraduate Admissions office for evaluation.

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete the two steps for the evaluation process. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed. 

FGCU may be able to award college credit for courses or programs evaluated for college credit recommendations through NCCRS.  

Follow these steps to have your NCCRS credit evaluated: 

Step 1: Request an official transcript from the organization that offered the learning.  

Step 2: Send official transcript to Undergraduate Admissions office for evaluation 

Note: The process will stop if you do not complete the two steps for the evaluation process. CPL/PLA credit is not guaranteed.