Credit for Prior Learning Pathways

Any of the following are approved methods to evaluate students’ potential for Credit for Prior Learning. Additional assessment resources may be available to provide a standardized review process.

Transfer of Credit

Students completing coursework at another institution of higher learning may submit an official transcript for review before transfer of credit can be awarded. College-level work completed at an accredited institution as recognized by accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education may be applied toward a degree at Midland University. Courses with a grade of C- or higher will be considered for credit. Courses graded on the pass/fail scale will be evaluated on an individual basis and may be considered for transfer if the grade scale indicates that a passing grade is the equivalent of at least a C-. Courses over seven (7) years old and subject-specific courses may be evaluated individually and reviewed by faculty in the area of study before the equivalency is awarded.

Grades earned in coursework at other institutions and transferred toward a degree at Midland are entered on the permanent record at Midland, but are not included in the computation of the grade point average at Midland. Transfer credit will appear on the transcript with a grade of TC. Course equivalencies may be applied if the courses correspond reasonably to those offered by Midland University. Coursework that does not have a direct equivalent may be awarded general transfer credit. Course equivalencies are available online and can be found at https://www.transferology.com/school/mlc.

Students must submit their official transcripts from each post-secondary institution to Midland University in order to earn transfer of credit. The University Registrar makes final determination of transfers of credit in consultation with the faculty. Graduate coursework must be evaluated by the Dean of the program before application to the student’s record. Awarded credit will appear on the student transcript. Students that have been accepted into Midland University may view the applicability of their transfer credit to their degree via the Degree Progress Audit in the student portal.

Standardized Tests

Students completing standardized tests may submit official test scores for review before credit can be awarded. Midland University will award Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for verified nationally recognized standardized tests. These exams include, but are not limited to:

⮚ AP: The College Board Advanced Placement Tests

⮚ CLEP: The College Board College-Level Examination Program

⮚ DSST: Formerly DANTES Subject Standardized Tests

⮚ DLPT: Defense Language Proficiency Test

⮚ IB: International Baccalaureate

⮚ UExcel: Formerly Excelsior College Examinations

⮚ Midland: Midland University developed Challenge Exams

Equivalencies are available online via the University Registrar’s Office. Students must earn a minimum score on the respective test in order to earn credit. Credits will appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of TC (Transfer Credit). Transfer credits do not calculate into the student’s grade point average. Students may not earn duplicate credit for AP courses that are also college dual enrollment courses.

Official Test scores should be submitted to the University Registrar who will make final determination of the appropriate credit. Awarded credit will appear on the student transcript. Students that have been accepted into Midland University may view the applicability of their transfer credit to their degree via the Degree Progress Audit in the student portal.

Third Party Evaluated Learning

Students who have completed learning programs through another organization may be considered for transfer credit. College-level work completed and evaluated by a recognized third party may be accepted for college credit. Students must earn a passing score on the required artifact (exam, portfolio, etc.) in order to be granted transfer credit. Official test scores, transcripts, or similar reports should be submitted to the University Registrar who will make final determination of the appropriate credit. Graduate coursework must be evaluated by a qualified designated individual who will inform the University Registrar that the student met the minimum threshold.

Credits will appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of TC (Transfer Credit). Transfer credits do not calculate into the student’s grade point average. Students may not earn duplicate credit. Awarded credit will appear on the student transcript. Students that have been accepted into Midland University may view the applicability of their transfer credit to their degree via the Degree Progress Audit in the student portal.

Standard guides such as the American Council on Education (ACE) National Guide to College Credit for Workplace Training, the ACE Military Guide for Joint Services Transcript (JST) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) may be consulted. Additional examples of Third Party Evaluated Learning are the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification, and Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate. Essentially, these are certifications and defined learning programs that can be easily verified for content and rigor. Students should submit official certifications and/or transcripts to the University Registrar (registrar@midlandu.edu) for review.

Employment Based Learning

Faculty Evaluated Local Industry and Workplace Credit: Midland University may evaluate non-collegiate training programs that result in industry certifications, professional licensure, and other workplace skills development.

Midland University employs the following best practices, as developed by CAEL, to maintain the academic integrity of our programs:

⮚ Does the training subject align with an academic offering? How long has the employer been offering the
training?

⮚ Does the employer have a training department?

⮚ Did the employer create the materials for the training or were they purchased from a vendor?

⮚ Who teaches/trains the employees and what are the trainer’s credentials? How are training records
maintained?

⮚ How does the employer assess the training? Is there a pre- and post-test? Does the employee have to “pass” the
training as opposed to just attending it? Are there grades?

⮚ How long is the training program (contact hours, days, weeks, months)? Is there a training plan or syllabus
available for the faculty to review?

⮚ Are there hands-on demonstrations or simulations? How are these assessed?

Faculty will look for alignment with competencies for a course or courses. The extent to which there is alignment will determine if credit can be awarded. Often, credit is awarded in a range from 0.5 credit hours to full credit. Documentation will be reviewed by the faculty department and or Director/Dean before approving credit for the training.

An agreement will be drafted for both the college and the employer and will cover the following:

⮚ Duration of the agreement.

⮚ The training will be reviewed on a regular basis.

⮚ The employer is responsible for providing the college updates should the training be revised in any way.

⮚ The training documentation required by employees that will be recognized by the institution for credit.

⮚ Any exceptions to credit recognition.

⮚ The offices or titles of the persons that should be notified in writing should the agreement need to be
terminated or revised. Midland University will maintain agreements in the University Registrar’s Office.

Students who have earned an eligible credential or completed evaluated training are responsible for providing appropriate supporting documentation as described in the PLA Credit Application Form. This form will be used to guide students through the process and is the official record of each PLA credit request. The form will be maintained online via the University Registrar’s Office. Credits will appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of TC (Transfer Credit). Transfer credits do not calculate into the student’s grade point average. Students may not earn duplicate credit. Awarded credit will appear on the student transcript. Students that have been accepted into Midland University may view the applicability of their transfer credit to their degree via the Degree Progress Audit in the student portal. Approved Employment-Based Learning can be found online via the University Registrar’s Office.

Portfolio Review

Portfolio Assessment: Knowledge and skills acquired through work and lifelong learning will be evaluated and validated through a formal portfolio assessment process. Midland may undertake this evaluation and development work themselves or may choose to use an outside vendor.

Best practice suggests that students should meet with a faculty subject matter expert or an advisor prior to beginning to develop a portfolio to be sure that the learning is sufficient to warrant the effort. Students who need more preparation in the subject should be advised appropriately into further learning.

A portfolio is a formal academic framework that students use to align their learning against the competencies/learning outcomes of a course or courses for the purpose of having a subject matter expert evaluate their learning for college credit. It also provides documentation or evidence to support the student’s request for credit. Each course for which portfolio credit is requested must be a Midland course and must be part of the student’s certificate or degree requirements.

Elective Credit: If a subject matter expert determines that a student has demonstrated significant learning that does not align with a Midland course, the credit can be awarded to fill elective requirements as appropriate. This practice should be used sparingly; excessive elective credit can cause future problems with Financial Aid or transfer or if the student changes their chosen course of study.

Portfolio Completion Checklist

⮚ Portfolio cover includes title (Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio), student name, ID, course number and title,
number of credits applied for, and date of application.

⮚ Syllabus of course for which credit is requested; if no Midland course available, include outcomes with citation
from another university, with portfolio advisor approval.

⮚ Current resume, including education, employment, service experience and other current information pertinent
to this portfolio application.

⮚ Reflective essay (3-5 pages), demonstrating learning aligned to the course objectives, meets these standards:

⮚ Introduction presents the essay topic and content effectively.

⮚ Appropriate depth and breadth of integration of key concepts evident.

⮚ Conclusion summarizes main points and states the significance of the learning aligned with course objectives.

⮚ The essay is well‐organized, uses adequate subheadings clearly aligned with competencies, and progresses in
logical, convincing order.

⮚ Virtually free of punctuation, spelling, capitalization errors; effective word usage.

⮚ In‐text citations and the end‐of‐text reference list are complete, and correctly use the department‐approved
style.

⮚ Index of documents included, listing all evidence in order referred to in the essay.

⮚ Documentation of experience (one or more sources for each objective) referred to in the reflective essay, as
evidence of prior learning.

⮚ Professionally presented, complete, and clear.

⮚ The completed and signed PLA portfolio application form.

Transfer of Credit and Residency Requirements

Master of Athletic Training

Students can transfer up to six (6) credits equivalent to Midland’s graduate-level MAT courses. The Dean of the School of College of Health Professions will approve all transfer credit requests. The 9 credits of practicum included in the program may not be transferred and must be completed in residence.

Master of Business Administration

The acceptance of transferred graduate credits will be determined by the Dean of the Dunklau School of Business. At most, 15 credits may be transferred into Midland University. The Dean will review, after receipt of required material from the student, the content of the course being proposed for transfer and the length of time since the course was completed, with the general policy that an accepted transfer course be completed within the last five (5) years, unless by petition to the Dean.

Master of Education

The acceptance of transferred graduate credits will be determined by the program dean and/or faculty within the graduate program. At minimum, 60 percent of graduate credit must be completed through courses at Midland University. A review will be completed after receipt of required material from the student, the content of the course being proposed for transfer and the length of time since the course was completed (the general policy is that an accepted transfer course be completed within the last seven years). Courses taken at the 400-level may be transferred as graduate credit if they meet similar expectations of the 400/500-level course offered by Midland. A related one- or two-credit hour independent study may be required. This independent study will require similar graduate level work required within the 400/500 level course at Midland. For older 400-level courses, additional updating of course content may be required within the independent study for ultimate transfer.

Master of Science

The acceptance of transferred graduate credits will be determined by the appropriate program dean and/or faculty within the graduate program. At minimum, 60 percent of graduate credit must be completed through courses at Midland University. Faculty with the program will review, after receipt of required material from the student, the content of the course being proposed for transfer and the length of time since the course was completed, with the general policy that an accepted transfer course be completed within the last seven years, unless approval is granted by petition to the Dean. Courses taken at the 400-level may be transferred as graduate credit if they meet similar expectations of the 400/500-level course offered by Midland and the related one-credit hour independent study is completed. This independent study will require similar graduate level work required within the 400/500 level course at Midland. For older 400-level courses, additional updating of course content may be required within the independent study for ultimate transfer.