Statements of Policy - UMUC Europe

Establishing Credit
Earning Credit in Many
Different Ways
Students can earn credits by completing coursework in UMUC-
Europe’s physical and virtual classrooms and in Individualized
Learning courses. Students can also earn credits from learning
gained through experiences, from transfer of credits from another
institution, and by examination. The unit of credit is the semester
hour which represents 16 hours of class work in addition to
required outside preparation.
UMUC opens doors to learning by taking education to students
wherever they may be, and by applying academically sound but
flexible policies regarding academic credit.
Physical and Virtual Classrooms
Different Formats, Equal Quality and
Equal Credit
Students take UMUC-Europe classes in classrooms at over 90
sites in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Students can
also “attend class” worldwide in UMUC’s award-winning online
courses or in our Individualized Learning (IL) courses. The same
course - whether delivered in a classroom, on the Internet, or in
Individualized Learning format – will have the same objectives
and requirements, award the identical amount of academic credit,
and be applicable toward the same undergraduate degrees.
Learning Gained Through Experience
Learning acquired outside the college classroom may be assessed
for credit toward a degree with UMUC. There are two general
ways students can make use of life experience for possible college
credit: Prior Learning, and Cooperative Education.
Prior Learning
Students may earn credit for college-level learning acquired outside
the classroom through: Course-Challenge examinations, EXCEL,
and UMUC-Europe Foreign Language Examinations. Credit
earned may be used toward either a first or second degree. However,
no more than half the credits required for an undergraduate major
or minor may be earned through Prior Learning.
Course-Challenge Examinations
UMUC credit can be earned for any undergraduate course for
which UMUC can prepare and administer a suitable examination
(called a course-challenge examination). Degree students at
UMUC who have received an Official Evaluation of transfer
credit and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in UMUC
coursework, may contact an academic advisor to begin the process.
They then contact the Prior Learning Office in Maryland for an
application.
Credit may be used toward a first or second degree. ENGL 101
or upper-level intensive writing can only be earned in the classroom
or through EXCEL. Six semester hour courses, because of their
extensive writing, also may not be challenged by examination.
Credit by course-challenge examination may not be earned for
courses for which a student has registered previously or for the
prerequisite for a course for which the student has already earned
credit.
Establishing Credit
More information on course-challenge examinations is available
by contacting the Prior Learning Office in Maryland at
www.umuc.edu/priorlearning or the UMUC-Europe Student
Affairs Office in Heidelberg.
EXCEL Through Experiential Learning
EXCEL Through Experiential Learning is a unique way for
students to gain academic credit for college-level learning acquired
through employment, volunteer activities, political activities, or
other noncollegiate experiences. Students document their previous
learning in a portfolio and faculty members evaluate the portfolio
for possible credit.
Enrollment in EXCL 301 Learning Analysis and Planning is
required. In this 3-credit course, the student prepares a portfolio
describing and documenting college-level learning gained from
various experiences. Faculty members evaluate the portfolio to
determine whether to award credits and how many should be
awarded. EXCL 301 is a fast-paced demanding course that requires
that students be highly motivated and have substantive life
experiences that can correlate to college-level learning. Successful
students will have excellent writing, computer, and time
management skills. Due to the scope and complexity of this course,
students should not register for other courses while they take
EXCL 301.
EXCL 301 is graded on an S/D/F basis. If the quality of the work
in the portfolio is worthy of a C or higher, a grade of S is awarded
and the portfolio is forwarded for credit evaluation. Credit earned
as a result of the portfolio evaluation also earns a grade of S. The
grade of S is not computed in the grade-point average, therefore
the grade from such credit is not applicable toward honors.
After receiving credit for EXCL 301, students may not enroll in
the class again. Although it is possible to earn up to 30 credits
through EXCEL, the average award is between 15 and 18 credits.
Experiential-learning credits are awarded for both upper-level
and lower-level courses. These credits are considered UMUC
resident credit and may be applied toward a major, minor, or
certificate as long as they relate to the student’s educational and
career goals. However, students should be aware that they are
required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of graded
coursework to satisfy the resident credit requirement for a bachelor’s
degree. Half the credits for the major and minor must also be
earned through graded coursework. EXCEL credit cannot be
used to satisfy these requirements.
It is possible to earn EXCEL credit to satisfy the ENGL101 and
upper-level writing requirements by completing a writing
delineation in a portfolio. (A delineation is the section of the
portfolio that details the student’s knowledge of a particular
subject.) An advisor can inform students about specific coursework
for which credit cannot be earned through the EXCEL program.
Credit for EXCL 301 is charged at the current tuition rate; fees
are charged for enrollment in the program, portfolio evaluation,
any additional evaluations, credits awarded, and any reevaluations.
Appeals and re-evaluations are determined at the
discretion of the director of Prior Learning. Students should note
that tuition and fees are subject to change. Those receiving financial
aid must pay all EXCEL fees.
2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog 11