Credit by Portfolio
At National Louis University, students can earn credit for prior learning through our Credit by Portfolio option. This opportunity is available for both undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing you to gain academic credit by submitting evidence of your learning, such as papers, interviews, and more. Below are the two types of portfolio options:
Perspectives on Prior Learning (ACL 301) - Undergraduate-only
ACL 301 is a Pass/Fail, six-week online asynchronous course designed to help undergraduate students identify, document, and validate their learning from life and work experiences and submit a comprehensive portfolio for potential college credit.
What credit do I earn by taking ACL 301?
Successfully passing ACL 301 earns students 2 QH. They also have the opportunity to earn up to 10 additional QHs by submitting one or two portfolios from a pre-approved list of Portfolio Topics to demonstrate their prior learning. Each portfolio (essay + additional documentation) is worth 3 or 5 quarter hours. Weekly assignments in this course are designed to help students develop their experiential learning essay that is the main element of their portfolio.
How much does it cost?
ACL301 is the only CPL option at NLU that is currently covered by financial aid for full-time students! In total, you can earn up to 12 quarter hours of credit, though you will only be charged for 2 hours. Any successful attempts to take ACL 301 after the first attempt, though, will have to be paid out of pocket. Be sure to contact Student Finance prior to enrolling.
Is this the right fit for me?
ACL301 is writing-intensive and intended for students who are prepared to compile and submit all required documents and essays when applying. This course is best suited for those who are ready to demonstrate their learning through comprehensive written work.
I'm interested, what should I do next!
Click here for detailed instructions on next steps, including contacting your advisor or coach!
Credit by Portfolio Assessment in the Discipline - Undergraduate and Graduate
Both undergraduate and graduate students can take advantage of the Credit by Portfolio Assessment in the Discipline (CPL 400 or CPL 500). These portfolio options allow you to demonstrate your college-level learning and competencies gained from work experience that align to learning outcomes of a current NLU course. A faculty assessor will evaluate your portfolio, and credits will be awarded based on the assessment.
What credit do I earn by completing CPL 400 or 500?
Successfully passing your portfolio assessment will result in earning the equivalent amount of credit hours to the aligned course. For instance, successfully completing a portfolio for the course SPE 508 (a 3 SH course) will earn the student 3 SH.
How much does it cost?
Portfolio assessment fees are $300.
Is this the right fit for me?
CPL400 and CPL500 are writing-intensive and are designed for students who are ready to compile and submit all required documentation and essays at the time of application. These courses require a substantial commitment to demonstrating your experience and competencies through detailed written submissions.
I'm interested, what should I do next!
- Discuss your remaining credit needs with your advisor or success coach.
- Review the list of current portfolio options available to determine what aligns with your remaining credit needs. Feel free to contact the faculty assessor listed if you have more questions.
- With approval from your advisor or coach, apply via NLU Credit by Portfolio Application. Be sure to choose the correct term and portfolio option!
Additional Information
Before exploring Credit for Prior Learning, consult with your Academic Advisor or Success Coach. This ensures you don't duplicate credit for content already covered in your coursework.
Important: Please be aware that federal and state financial aid does not cover the costs associated with Credit by Portfolio options. You are responsible for any fees related to these assessments. Also, doing a Credit by Portfolio may impact your financial aid. Contact NLU's Student Finance team to confirm before applying for a portfolio option.
If you have general questions about Credit for Prior Learning, please email cpl@nl.edu from your NLU student inbox.
