Experiential Learning Portfolio

Experiential Learning Portfolio Course

Many adult students have attained knowledge outside of the college classroom that enables them to earn academic credit. Barry University grants such credit toward an undergraduate degree if students can demonstrate and document five years of college-level learning based on career experience.

At Barry University, the portfolio provides the primary mechanism for equating documented learning experiences into Barry University college credit. Barry is among hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, France, South Africa, and other countries that recognize learning from experience as a vital component of an undergraduate degree program for adult learners. Up to 30 college credits may be earned from the portfolio.

The Portfolio Course is fully online and provides students with a step-by-step set of “learning modules” that span from the introduction of experiential learning to the submission of their completed portfolio. In addition, the students’ advisors supports portfolio development by guiding adult learners through the entire process.

The self-knowledge that can result from portfolio development can also serve to empower adult learners by augmenting their self-esteem and confidence.

Other beneficial reasons for adults in college to develop a Portfolio based on learning from: (a) professional work experiences, (b) participation in professional organizations and (c) involvement in community activities. The most common are:

To provide a cost and time effective avenue for degree completion.
To increase writing and organizational skills.
To use the analysis, critical reflection, and evaluation of their past and present abilities for utilization as a roadmap to formulate future goals.
To understand the connection between experiential learning and academic knowledge.
To create a portfolio that demonstrates their learning and competencies for current and/or future employers.
To recognize/promote life-long learning.

Portfolio Submission Criteria for Bachelor's Degrees

The students must meet all of the following criteria at the time of portfolio submission.

Student has been fully accepted and is active.
Student has completed English-302 with a grade of “C” or better or has successfully passed the English challenge examination.
Student is in good academic standing (Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all Barry University course work).
Student has completed and submitted the portfolio course through the university online learning management system (Canvas).
Student can document a minimum of five years of full-time professional work experience and/or community activities.
Student’s Goal Statement and Autobiographical Learning Essay have been reviewed by the Writing Lab or Barry University English tutor.
Student has 90 college credits or less at the time of portfolio submission.

If a student does not meet the above criteria, the portfolio may not be submitted. Advisors must review almost-completed portfolios at least three times before the deadline dates for each session to allow for revisions. Completed course portfolios must be submitted through Canvas in accordance with published deadline dates in the semester schedules. Meeting these deadlines is the responsibility of the student. The portfolio tuition expense must be paid prior to submitting the portfolio for evaluation.

Normally the portfolio will be assessed by the portfolio evaluation committee five to six weeks after it is submitted. Upon evaluation, the student will be notified of the credits awarded. Generally approximately one-third to one-half of the credits are upper-level. The remainder are lower-level. Portfolio credits can be used to fulfill General Elective credits. Also, up to six upper level credits may be used for a major or specialization as designated in the section below designated “Request for Portfolio Credits in Academic Disciplines”. Though portfolio credits cannot be used for Distribution requirements, students may also receive credits for selected professional licenses and through other options. Please refer to the Assessment of Prior Learning Fact Book for eligible licenses and other options.

Request for Portfolio Credits in Academic Disciplines

As mentioned previously, up to 30 portfolio credits may be used to satisfy General Electives. Certain portfolio credits may also be applied toward the electives within the student’s choice of majors within a particular degree program as stated below. Students have the option of completing a Specialization or submitting a portfolio. Please review the options for each degree program with your advisor:

1. Bachelor of Public Administration (B.P.A.)

Portfolio is optional with the completed 45 credit major.
Students may complete the major and the portfolio.
Students should request portfolio credits from the following academic disciplines: General Administration and Social Sciences. Students may apply up to 15 upper level discipline specific portfolio credits in General Administration, Special Topics: Public Administration and/or Special Topics: Emergency Management, and Social Sciences to the Public Administration Electives if not previously transferred.

2. Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management (B.S.)

Portfolio is optional with completed 45 credit major.
Students may complete the major and the portfolio.

Students should request portfolio credits from the following academic disciplines: General Administration, Special Topics: Public Administration, and/or Special Topics: Emergency Management (up to 12 UL/LL discipline specific portfolio credits in Emergency Management Electives if not previously transferred).

3. Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (B.S.)

Portfolio is optional.
Students may elect to pursue both a portfolio and a specialization.
Students should request portfolio credits from the following academic disciplines: General Administration, Social Sciences, and Special Topics/Computer Sciences (up to 6 upper level credits in Administration Electives if not previously transferred).

Writing Resources for Portfolio Development

A number of resources may be used by students who develop an experiential learning portfolio at Barry University. For example, before submitting their portfolio students must complete English-302 which will provide them with a sound foundation in advanced writing. During the portfolio development process students are required to submit their portfolio goal statement and autobiographical essay to the University Writing Center (through the Online Writing Lab/OWL) for proofreading or to their site English tutor. For those students in proximity to the Miami Shores campus a face-to-face appointment can be made at the Learning Center which offers proofreading services. Otherwise students at the sites can meet with the site English tutor to fulfill this requirement.

Students who choose to submit their portfolio for review to the Online Writing Lab (OWL) must adhere to the OWL portfolio review deadlines that are prior to portfolio submission deadlines in each term. The process to obtain on-line help from OWL is outlined below. All of these services are available to students without cost.

Directions to Submit OWL Requests

Go to http://apps.barry.edu
Click on Login
Enter your username and password
On the home page, click on BUCWIS
Under BUCWIS, click on Student Web
On Student Web, click on the Academic Resources at the top of the page
Click on Writing Center
On the Writing Center site, click on the green "OWL - Online Writing Lab" tab on the right sidebar
Click on the Online Writing Lab Feedback Request Form on the right sidebar and submit
Please note, only requests from Barry e-mail addresses will be accepted
You will receive a reply with instructions on how to submit your paper

Documents are returned in five business days. Each paper will be reviewed only two times.

For each document, students must submit a separate request form. In other words, a goal statement and an autobiographical essay are considered two documents. Therefore two requests must be submitted. The last day to submit papers to OWL for each session can be obtained from academic advisors. For all information about policies, changes, and news, students may visit the Writing Center/OWL website at (http://www.barry.edu/learning-center/writing-center.html). Students at site locations are encouraged to use Barry University English tutors. Contact the Writing and Reading Center at (305) 899‑4902 or odrozd@barry.edu