Distance Education Admissions
Life Experience = College Credit
Did you know that you can get college credit for what you've already learned while living life? Our Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) program allows you to earn college credit towards an accredited degree because of your experiential learning. Now that's something isn't it? At SAGU, we value your life learning experience and understand that life learning can sometimes outweigh coursework performance. Here are some of the benefits:
- Save up to $12,000 on your college degree
- Get up to 30 hours of college credit for the life you have already lived
- Graduate up to a whole year earlier
About the ELC Program:
Students can apply for credit on the basis of Experiential Learning and receive full college credit up to 25% of their degree requirements, depending upon their particular degree plan and their level of experiential learning. All non-traditional credit is counted in the 25% allowed. Non-traditional credit includes credit for Advanced Placement scores, ACT scores, CLEP scores, up to 12 hours of correspondence and Experiential Learning Credit. Generally, credit is given for Experiential Learning in specific course areas such as Biblical Preaching, Counseling, Computer Science, Business, etc. Students must apply these credits toward the requirements of their particular degree plan. These credits do not count toward residency requirements. However, students seeking experiential learning credit will register for the course APS 3313 Portfolio Development, which counts as residency credit. This course should be taken during the first semester of enrollment.
While attending the New Student Orientation, instructions are given regarding the concept of obtaining credit for experiential learning. Students receive a Manual of Assessment of Experiential Learning when they enroll in the course, APS 3313 Portfolio Development. The Manual describes the level of experiential learning and competency that is required in each course area.
At the close of the semester, students present their portfolios for evaluation to the Portfolio Assessment Committee. This committee is comprised of SAGU faculty members representing the various disciplines at the University. After the committee evaluates the student’s portfolio, they will approve or deny credit for the portfolio. This committee also determines the number of hours awarded as credit. The decision of the Portfolio Assessment Committee is considered final.
Experiential Learning Credit is not available to Education majors, graduate students, or students pursuing an AA degree.