Stephen F. Austin State University

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Awarding Academic Credit for Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (A-52)

Original Implementation: October 26, 1999
Last Revision: October 30, 2007

Role and Scope

The purpose of this policy statement is to provide an approved methodology and procedures for students requesting to be awarded credit for extra-institutional learning experiences on the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree. Further, this policy provides a rationale for the credit awarded and definitions of the significant elements in the process; it also establishes guidelines for developing the life-experience portfolio, and provides a means for monitoring the policy.

Review

It is the responsibility of the dean of Liberal and Applied Arts to review and implement this policy.

Rationale

Awarding degree credit for non-collegiate sponsored instruction is based on the higher education practice of granting academic credit for educational attainment comparable to the college level.   This means of allowing credit is carried out in a variety of ways including but not limited to credit by examination, AP credit, CLEP credit, portfolio review, and Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) academic unit examination.    The experiences of educational institutions who engage in this practice have shown that   awarding   credit for prior learning often motivates students to enroll and complete the full academic degree process, thus enriching their lives and career opportunities. The credit awarded must be appropriate to an individual’s BAAS degree program.

Oversight and Authority

SFASU was granted authority on July 16, 1974, by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer the BAAS Degree. The proposal submitted to and approved by the THECB for the BAAS Degree included in Section 1.0 the following special feature which is the focus of this policy statement:

"Semester hour credit for experience and/or exhibited competency is permissible in both Academic Foundations (up to 12 hours) and Academic Specialization (up to 24 hours). An expanded innovative program of advising and counseling will be necessary to administer the program."

Oversight for the degree and authority to administer the life-experience credit program has been placed with the College of Liberal and Applied Arts.  The dean of the college is charged with developing procedures for the implementation of all features of the BAAS Degree.

Definitions

B.A.A.S. Degree - The BAAS Degree is designed to offer students with vocational-technical training and work experience in a given occupational field the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree without the usual significant loss of credits that occurs in pursuing a traditional degree. The degree is designed to provide both academic and professional depth to individuals who possess recognized competency in occupational or technical fields.

Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction - A form of extra-institutional learning sponsored by non-accredited associations, business, industry, or military units to develop knowledge, skills, and values.

Extra-institutional Learning - Documented learning experience that accrues to the student outside the sponsorship of an accredited institution of higher education.

Work/Life Experience - A form of non-collegiate sponsored learning that develops knowledge, skills, and values as a result of sponsored experiences documented through the occupational portfolio.

Occupational Portfolio - A compilation of pertinent documents and third party verification that develops a history and basis for the levels of competency submitted for evaluation. Documentation should verify that skill levels and occupational competence are equivalent to college work.

BAAS Procedure for Credit Awards

Credit for documented life-experience is awarded based on the principle that valid learning experiences at the college/university level can occur outside of a direct higher education environment. These learning experiences can be derived through various extra-institutional encounters such as continuing education, professional development instruction, licensure, in-service training, military training, and direct supervision.

The evaluation of non-collegiate credit is dependent upon an examination process that is designed to ascertain whether the life-experiences have been of the nature and extent that they are equal to college level instruction. The measure of equivalency (to college level instruction) is determined at three levels:

1. The Curriculum of the Learning Experience
   The course of study being reviewed will meet the standard of currency and relevance. That is, it will be equivalent to a course of study that is included in the curriculum of a contemporary institution of higher education.

2. The Qualifications of the Instructor
   Instruction for the course must be delivered/supervised by an individual or individuals whose credentials have been reviewed and accepted by duly authorized peers or an appropriate sponsoring professional organization or corporation, or institution of higher education.

3. The Evaluation of Student Progress
   Each course of study receiving an award of credit must use a means of evaluating the learner's progress that is appropriate to the subject matter and the manner of instruction. The evaluation must be valid and documented.

All applications for credit through non-collegiate sponsored learning experiences must be submitted by the student to his/her adviser at the time a degree plan is offered to the dean of Liberal and Applied Arts  or his/her designee for approval. The request for credit must be submitted as an occupational portfolio accompanied by all pertinent documentation. Should any credit be awarded for non-collegiate sponsored instruction it will be applied only to the BAAS Degree.

The dean of liberal and applied arts or his/her designee will review all credit recommendations and make a final determination as to the amount of credit to be awarded.

Credit awarded will be submitted to the Office of the Registrar on Form AAS-Ex for posting on the student's transcript.

Appeals

Appeals of credit awards must follow the SFASU approved appeal policy processes.

References

Evaluation of the application for credit will be made using the:

Directory of the National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction,
National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-collegiate Courses,
Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services,
Aviation Education Review Organization College Credit Standards Guide,

and other means and resource materials as appropriate and recognized.

 

Cross Reference:   SFA General Bulletin/Advanced Placement & Credit by Examination

Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Contact for Revision: Dean of Liberal and Applied Arts

Forms: AAS-Ex