EXCEL Orientation Introduction

Introduction

The Course and the Process

Contents of the Portfolio

Targeting Courses

Documenting Your Prior Learning

Evaluation of the Portfolio

Welcome to the EXCEL orientation. Completion of this orientation is required for participation in the EXCEL program.

The orientation follows the outline shown at the left. Use the navigation arrows at the top of the page to move through the orientation. Please make mote of any questions not covered in this orientation. Any questions that remain can be sent to priorlearning@umuc.edu. Alternatively, you can call the Prior Learning Office during regular business hours at 240-582-2860 or 1-800-888-UMUC, ext. 2860.

Overview

The EXCEL program is one of two programs administered by the Prior Learning office. It was created to assist adult students in translating their college-level learning acquired outside the classroom into college credit. Credit is awarded for documented learning, not simply for experience.

Learning is explained and documented through the completion of a portfolio of prior learning. Credits awarded through this portfolio can be upper- or lower-level, and can be applied to major, minor, elective, or general-education degree requirements.
Several limitations apply to the placement of experiential credit toward degree requirements. They are:

No more than half (50 percent) of major, minor, or certificate credit requirements can be fulfilled through experiential means
No more than 15 credits may be applied toward the major
General-education credits awarded through the portfolio must equal 3 credits, except for certain library and computer applications courses
You may not satisfy the LIBS 150 requirement through a portfolio.
You may apply up to 30 experiential credits to the first bachelor's degree; only 15 experiential credits may be applied to a second bachelor's degree.

For Admission to EXCEL, You Must:

Be a UMUC student in good academic standing.
Request an official evaluation of all transfer credits, MOSs, etc. from your Academic Advisor.
Complete an EXCEL application, including submission of a current resume.
Meet basic standards in English composition (either by having taken a college writing course or by qualifying for ENGL 101 on the English placement test).
Complete the EXCEL Orientation.
Submit a copy of your current resume to priorlearning@umuc.edu.

It is suggested that you complete LIBS 150 and EDCP 100.
Once these requirements are fulfilled, you will receive an e-mail stating that you have been cleared to register for EXCL 301. (You must complete the registration yourself.)