Ways To Earn Credit
Ways to earn credit
Certain national proficiency tests including CLEP http://www.collegeboard.com/, DSST (DANTES) http://www.getcollegecredit.com/ , and Excelsior https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Excelsior_College_Examinations are accepted at Eastern. Before pursuing any of these avenues, check with an advisor to verify that the exam you are considering is not duplication of previously completed coursework, and for confirmation that the exam credit can be applied toward your remaining degree requirements.
Students can also earn credit through departmental proficiency exams. Consult the EIU general catalog for information about departmental proficiency tests for credit. http://catalog.eiu.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=644#cred_by_prof_exam
Prior Learning Assessment
What is it?
The prior learning assessment (PLA) process is the assessment of a student’s life experiences to evaluate the learning related to the experiences. Assessment of prior learning is valuable to the adult learner as it validates knowledge gained outside of the classroom. It can save students time and money by decreasing the number of required courses toward completion of a degree.
BGS students who believe they have gained college-level learning outside of the formal learning environment, through experiences such as work and community service, are encouraged to develop a prior learning portfolio. Such students are required to complete an online course, BGS 3001,Portfolio Development. This is a 3 credit hour, semester long course, delivered via WebCT. Students register for the course through the PAWS system, and will be billed the hourly tuition and fees like any other EIU course. With successful completion of this course, students will receive 3 hours of EIU upper division credit, and will also have a completed portfolio to submit for assessment. EIU faculty will review the portfolio and determine a credit award based on the learning the student demonstrated in their submission.
When should this be done?
Students should complete BGS 3001 and submit portfolios as soon as possible after being admitted to the program.
Are there fees?
There are fees associated with the portfolio, but they are much lower than our tuition rate. Students who submit portfolio essays are charged approximately 10% of the cost of tuition for each course evaluated. Students that enroll in and successfully complete BGS 3001, Portfolio Development, will have the evaluation fee for the first portfolio essay waived.
Where do I start?
Interested students should contact Kimberly Redfern, BGS Advisor, for more information at 217-581-5618 or karedfern2@eiu.edu.
