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Prior and Experiential Learning

Translate your workplace, community, and volunteer activities into UMGC undergraduate or graduate credit.

At Â鶹ÐÔ°®µçÓ° of Maryland Global Campus, our students bring a wealth of experiences—from the workplace and community and volunteer activities—to the classroom. We value the learning you've acquired outside of the classroom. Turn your workplace, community, and volunteer experience into course credit and take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Save time: The average degree-seeking student at UMGC who works full-time completes 9 credits of coursework per year. Successful completion of a Portfolio (a written description of your college-level learning and a collection of documents that verify your college-level learning) or Course Challenge examinations (for undergraduate students only) can cut years off of the degree-completion process.
  • Save money: Credits awarded through the Prior Learning assessment are evaluated for a fee that is lower than the cost of tuition.
  • Gain understanding: The Portfolio process helps you understand the many ways you have acquired learning through your full- or part-time jobs and community and volunteer activities outside the classroom.
  • Value knowledge: Earning credit through Prior Learning programs helps you find value in lifelong experiential learning.

How to Earn Prior Learning Credit

UMGC offers four programs to turn your experiential learning into college credit:

  • Undergraduate Course Challenge: You can earn credit by passing the equivalent of a final exam for almost any undergraduate course for which UMGC can prepare and administer a suitable examination or assessment. Some courses are excluded. Read the Course Challenge criteria to see if you qualify.
  • Undergraduate Portfolio: You have the opportunity to earn credit by creating a portfolio outlining your college-level learning through previous experience. You are guided through the process in two courses, EXCL 301 or EXCL x001, in which you create and submit a portfolio for faculty review. Please contact priorlearning@umgc.edu to apply. You must submit applications for EXCL 301 or EXCL x001 before registering for the course. For specific session dates, please view the academic calendar.
  • Graduate Portfolio: You have the opportunity to earn credit for a limited number of graduate courses via the portfolio program. You are guided through this process via a self-led, non-credit course. To discuss application deadlines, eligibility, and program requirements, contact a prior learning specialist at gradpriorlearning@umgc.edu.
  • Workplace Learning: Earn upper-level credit by submitting a learning proposal and demonstrating skills you learn on the job while studying at UMGC. Apply classroom theory to real-world professional projects and earn credits that may apply to your degree or certificate program. To discuss deadlines, eligibility, and program requirements, contact Workplace Learning at workplacelearning@umgc.edu.

FAQs: Graduate Portfolio

Get answers to questions about the Graduate Portfolio program's eligibility requirements, costs, and more. Because the graduate portfolio is only available for a limited number of courses, please review these FAQs carefully.

Contact Us

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center.

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