Maddy Thurber, Contributing writer
VCU’s Office of Prior Learning began an initiative that offers non-traditional students the option to turn professional experience into college credit.
Students who may have worked in a professional sphere prior to the enrollment at VCU have the option to use that as credit toward an Interdisciplinary Studies diplomat.
“Credit for prior learning pathways are built for nontraditional students, which VCU defines as students who are married/widowed/divorced, have children/dependents or who are military-affiliated), who have an abundance of professional experience that may be equivalent to some of the courses they would take at VCU,” Associate Director Mia Liadis stated in an email.
Credit is available to adult learners with years of experience who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Mariah Crilley, VCU Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs stated in an email she quickly learned the value of adult learners.
They challenged me to be a better teacher by considering the deep expertise that all students, nontraditional or otherwise, bring to the classroom, and inspired me to develop a space that honored that expertise,” Crilley stated.
Transfer Coordinator for Adult and Nontraditional Students, Tori Kesling said prior learning helps recognize when students have experience that already applies to a degree.
Students interested in receiving credit for prior learning go through a process to determine if their previous experience qualifies.
Eligible students can receive credit by talking to their advisor, enrolling in IDST 452, submitting their portfolio, and earning up to 30 IDST elective credit. Credits are not guaranteed, but, IDST 452 is meant to prepare students to receive credit, according to the office’s website .
Some course fees are related to the portfolio assessment, but 30 IDST elective credits are awarded at no tuition cost.
“Data from the Council and Experiential Learning notes, nontraditional students awarded credit for prior learning (CPL) are 2.5x more likely to graduate and earn better grades than nontraditional students without CPL,” Dr. Liadis stated.