One Riverside Drive

East Hartford, CT 06118
Tel 860.528.4111
Toll Free 800.889.3282

Credit for Lifelong Learning

This program allows eligible students to earn college credit for learning gained through work and other significant life experiences and to apply that credit towards their degree.

Student Benefits:

• Do not repeat courses in areas where you already have expertise
• Move directly into courses of value to you
• Save time and money

Eligible Students:

• Have at least five years work or volunteer experience
• Have gained prior approval from an academic or faculty advisor
• Successfully completed ENG 101 and CAP 100 or CAP 110 (Portfolio Assessment only)

Experiential credit may be earned in 3 ways:

1. Goodwin College Challenge Exams
2. National Standardized Exams
3. Portfolio Assessment

A maximum of 50% of your degree may be completed through experiential college credit (i.e., 30 credits of an associate degree; 60 credits of a bachelor degree).

 

Goodwin College Challenge Exams

 

Goodwin College grants credit for the successful completion of exams developed by faculty. Credits are awarded for any test grade of 85% or better. An exam costs $100, unless it requires a practical, then the exam costs $150. No charge is assessed for the credits earned. Credits are designated on the transcript as CBE (Credit by Exam). CBE credit will help you earn a degree from Goodwin College, but they are not always transferable. Contact your advisor for a list of exams.

 

National Standardized Exams

 

Credit earned by passing a national standardized exam is more likely to transfer than by taking an internal CBE. A list of exams and local testing sites are available online. Your advisor can help you locate a test site and show you how to register for an exam. You may also purchase study guides at most bookstores. An exam cost approximately $70 plus a registration fee (typically $30). An exam is worth between 3 and 12 credits. Goodwin College accepts credit earned by taking some CLEP, EXCELSIOR, and DSST exams. Before you take an exam, check with your advisor to ensure the credit may be applied toward your degree.

 

Portfolio Assessment

 

When an exam is not available, portfolio assessment may be the right option for you. A portfolio is a paper or electronic document that describes your learning; it provides evidence of what you know and can do that is related to Goodwin College courses. A typical portfolio contains an introduction, resume, credit request summary, learning descriptions, letters on your behalf, and work examples. A completed portfolio is submitted to a faculty committee for review and possible award of credit. There is an assessment fee of $100 per credit challenged You can discuss any of these options with your advisor or schedule a meeting with Henriette Pranger (860-727-6795 and hpranger@goodwin.edu) to learn more about portfolio assessment