The Portfolio Program

Nontraditional, undergraduate students who have formally applied to Bowie State University, have been accepted, and have paid the application and acceptance fees may apply for credit for experiential learning through the Portfolio Program.  A portfolio, which documents and describes adult learning experiences, may be done independently or by participating in a Portfolio Development Seminar.  The student prepares a Portfolio consistent with the guidelines in the Student Guidelines:  Portfolio Development.  The Portfolio Coordinator will assist students in analyzing, evaluating, and identifying those features of their experiential repertoire that may be converted into academic credit.  Experiential learning may result from work experience, volunteer experience, travel, hobbies, noncredit workshops and seminars, independent reading, licenses, special certificates, and/or military experiences.  Credit recommendations are based on the evaluation of the Portfolio by faculty.  A student may be granted a maximum of 30 undergraduate credit hours through the Portfolio Program.  No Grades are given for courses awarded through the program.

• Learning should be verifiable. You must be able to document and in some cases demonstrate competencies.
• Learning should be comparable to college level work.
• Learning should have a subject matter or knowledge base.
• Learning experiences should be applicable outside the specific job or context in which it was learned. 

1. Schedule an appointment with an advisor in the academic area in which you are seeking a degree to request assistance in identifying specific courses and credits that may be earned through the Portfolio Program.
2. Schedule an appointment with the Portfolio Coordinator and register for the Program.  The Coordinator will explain the Portfolio Process and provide you with a copy of student Guidelines: Portfolio Development.
3. Prepare the portfolio.  Consult with your academic department while developing your Portfolio.
4. Submit your Portfolio to the Office of Continuing Education and External Programs for appropriate assessment.  Faculty will make the determination on the awarding of credit.

You will be notified of credits awarded and fees/tuition assessed.  Fees/tuition may be paid at the Office of Student Accounts.  A copy of your receipt should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

• Portfolio Registration Fee $55.00
• Portfolio Assessment Fee, if credit is awarded $55.00
• Cost per credit hour shall be at the current undergraduate tuition rate.