CPL: Section 11-College Credit for Work/Life Experience (Portfolio Credit or PLACE)

College Credit for Work/Life Experience (Portfolio Credit or PLACE)

General Information

Students may receive college credit for work/life experience if they have at least two years of full-time employment or substantial work equivalent to NOVA courses and are able to demonstrate that their competency obtained through work/life experience is aligned with the courses they wish to obtain credit for. This type of credit is often referred to as portfolio credit because students must develop a portfolio to document their learning.

For detailed information about portfolio development, please click here to watch a video.

Procedures

Follow the steps below to apply for portfolio credit:

1. Email cpl@nvcc.edu from your NOVA student email account to request permission to access the free portfolio development guide in Canvas. Be sure to provide your NOVA student ID number in your email.
2. Carefully review the steps and requirements of the portfolio development process outlined in the guide to decide if portfolio development fits your educational goals and submit a portfolio development application through Canvas accordingly.
3. Receive permission to build portfolios via email, pending approval of your application materials.
4. Build your portfolio in accordance with the instructions provided in Canvas.
5. Email cpl@nvcc.edu to request an evaluation of your portfolio when it is complete.
6. Make a payment of $175 per course evaluation as instructed.
7. If approved, portfolio credit will be awarded on your transcript with a grade of ‘P’ and applied toward graduation.

Transferability

Portfolio credit is not typically transferable to another institution. However, if you are enrolled in George Mason University’s Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program, where students can design their own program of study that aligns with their interests and career goals, George Mason University will accept up to 15 portfolio credits awarded by NOVA.

For more information about the BIS program, attend an information session, email bis@gmu.edu, or visit the program’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many portfolio credits may I receive?

• You may receive up to fifteen (15) portfolio credits.

2. Do portfolio credits meet the 25% residency requirements at NOVA?

• No, they do not.

3. Is there a course I can take to learn how to develop a portfolio?

• Not currently. We are piloting a free Canvas site where you can learn portfolio development skills at your own pace. The pilot program runs through May 2025, and SDV 298, a one-credit portfolio development course, is not offered during this time.

4. Does submitting a portfolio and making a payment to get it evaluated guarantee that I will receive credit?

• No. Whether your portfolio is accepted for credit depends on the alignment of your work/life experience with NOVA courses and your ability to articulate that alignment and present supporting documentation in your portfolio.

5. Will I get a refund if my portfolio is not approved for credit?

• No, you will not.

6. What does the faculty evaluator look for when assessing my portfolio?

• Faculty evaluators compare your prior learning with the learning outcomes outlined in your chosen course content summary to find the alignment of competency and knowledge in both sources. You must clearly demonstrate this alignment through your narratives of competencies and supporting documentation to receive credit for your portfolio.

7. How long does a portfolio evaluation take?

• Faculty evaluators have thirty (30) days to complete a portfolio evaluation.

8. Can I appeal a denial decision?

• Yes. You can file an appeal with the CPL Coordinator within ten (10) business days upon receipt of your evaluation.

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Revised 08/2024