91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳

Course Descriptions

AASC 3301 – Lifelong Learning and Portfolio Development

Required if you pursue completion of the University Studies degree program. This course lays the foundation for the program of study by investigating current issues in the philosophy of higher education, namely: establishing academic, personal and professional goals for degree completion; introducing you to the portfolio process; and helping you to improve your abilities to think critically and to communicate more effectively.

Prerequisites: ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 or your equivalents with a grade of "C" or better.

Department Policy for AASC 3301

If you are enrolled in the University Studies programs, you must be enrolled in AASC 3301 by the second semester you are eligible to take the course. If you drop the course, you will be re-enrolled the following semester; if you drop the course a second time without approval from the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, you will not be allowed to continue in the program. If you do not pass the course with a C or higher will be re-enrolled each semester until a satisfactory grade is earned.

AASC 3102 – Narrative for Prior Experiential Learning Credit

You are guided in the development of an outcome-based learning narrative, which allows them the opportunity to translate knowledge and skills obtained through life and work experiences into academic credit.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in AASC 3301 and senior standing. You will enroll in the class during your final semester of coursework.

AASC 4301 – Senior Seminar

Required if you pursue completion of the University Studies degree program. This course completes the assessment of the personal, educational and professional goals and outcomes set forth in AASC 3301.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in AASC 3301 and senior standing. You will enroll in the class during your final semester of coursework.

Prior Experiential Learning Credit Details

How can I earn academic credit for what I already know?

Many students with work experience or vocational/technical course work are interested in how they can potentially translate their knowledge into academic credit. The Bachelor of University Studies degree program offers a process that allows you to draft a narrative that documents how your work/life experience is equivalent to college-level learning. In AASC 3102 Prior Experiential Learning, you are directed through the organization of a written narrative that describes in detail what you have learned. A narrative will focus on a specific subject area. Upon satisfactory completion of AASC 3102, you can submit your narratives into the evaluation process (please note that an evaluation fee will be assessed). If a narrative demonstrates your college level learning, then the evaluator will determine the number of credit hours to be awarded and the level of the credit hours.


Am I a good candidate for AASC 3102?

An ideal candidate for AASC 3102 would be an excellent writer, someone who has broad and varied knowledge and experiences regarding the subject(s) they would write about, and someone who would need electives to complete the University Studies degree. Consult an academic advisor to determine if you should enroll into this rigorous course.


Are there special requirements for the narrative?

Narratives must be bound, and the bound copy as well as a double-blind copy must be turned into the Advising Center office (Parker 106) with a receipt and the appropriate signed forms. The double-blind copy will be reviewed and evaluated.


How is the credit applied to my degree?

The evaluator can award two types of credit: Prior Experiential Learning Credit and Technical Learning Credit. TLC is awarded when you document learning based on technical coursework. PELC is awarded when learning occurred during work or life experiences. You may be awarded anywhere from zero to 24 hours of PELC/TLC credit with a maximum of 12 hours of upper (3000) level credit.

The following are other regulations concerning PELC/ TLC credit:

  • Entering the evaluation process does not guarantee that you will receive PELC or TLC.
  • You may not write a narrative in an area for which you have already received six transcripted hours of academic credit.
  • If credit is awarded it will appear as transfer credit on your transcript; and, thus the maximum amount of credit that can be awarded is further limited by your total transfer hours.
  • Credit awards may not appear on your transcript until the semester following the evaluation.
  • Neither PELC nor TLC will count toward any other degrees at 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ or at any other institution.
  • Neither PELC nor TLC will count toward residency requirements at LU.
  • You may challenge the credit award you receive. A second evaluation of the original double-blind narrative will be performed by a different evaluator. The credit award, if any, that the second evaluator awards will stand whether it is higher or lower than the first award.