Course Credit by Portfolio

Why use Course Credit by Portfolio?

Get credit for prior learning – put your prior learning to use

Credit can apply to General Education, major, minor or elective requirements.

Reduce Costs

The fee is $280 per portfolio.

Finish your degree sooner

Each course you earn credit for is one you don't need to take, so you can move on to more advanced work.

Is CCP For You?

CCP is for learning, not just experience. Years on the job help, but what earns credit is showing that you've mastered what a specific course teaches. Your learning should be:

College level: equal in depth to what the course covers
Verifiable: backed by documents and references
Related to a course: matched to that course's learning outcomes
New to your transcript: not already counted through another course or credit

Ask yourself:

Can I tell the difference between what I did and what I learned?
Do I understand both the practical side and the theory behind the course?
Can I show that my learning matches the course's level and content?
Can I explain my learning clearly enough for a faculty expert to evaluate it?

Not an FSU student yet?

CCP is open to students enrolled in an FSU undergraduate degree program, so the first step is applying. Once you're enrolled, you can begin a portfolio.

How does it work?

1. Complete the CCP workshop

Learn the policies, guidelines and how to build a portfolio.

2. Choose your course

Work with your academic advisor to find a course that matches your prior learning.

3. Meet with the Portfolio Program Coordinator

Confirm that the course is part of the CCP program.

4. Submit a Request to Pursue

Your academic advisor and the Portfolio Program Coordinator both approve it. Use one request per course. Contact the Portfolio Program Coordinator for the form.

5. Build your portfolio

Gather your documents and write your narrative.

6. Pay the review fee

The $280 fee is added to your student account and must be paid before your portfolio is reviewed.

7. Submit by the deadline

Send your portfolio to the Portfolio Program Coordinator by October 31 or March 31.

8. Faculty review

Faculty in the course's department review your portfolio within 15 business days.

9. Credit posted

If credit is awarded, it appears on your transcript.

What goes in a portfolio?

Each portfolio includes:

Cover page and table of contents
Proof that you completed the CCP workshop
Proof that you paid the review fee
Your degree audit and approved Request to Pursue
Abstract
Résumé

Be ready to show the originals of any copies you submit.

Syllabus for the course (get it from an FSU faculty member or the department chair)
Narrative and skills inventory that maps your learning to the course's objectives, assignments and activities
Supporting documents, such as performance evaluations, reports, certificates and training records
Annotated bibliography with at least 10 sources, in MLA, APA or Chicago style
Two professional letters of reference, dated and signed, sent directly to the Portfolio Program Coordinator by the people writing them

How are portfolios reviewed?

Faculty in the course's department score each portfolio on five criteria:

Content knowledge: You've mastered the course content and show how your learning meets the course objectives.
Documentation: Your evidence supports your narrative and the course's learning outcomes.
Writing: Your portfolio is well organized, clearly written and uses MLA, APA or Chicago style correctly.
Sources: Your sources are well cited and fit the course.
Critical reflection: You analyze your experiences and connect them to the course material.

Each criterion is scored "does not meet," "meets" or "exceeds." To earn credit, a portfolio needs at least 12 of 20 points and can't have any "does not meet" scores.

On your transcript: CCP credit appears with the notation "CCP." There's no letter grade, and it doesn't count toward your GPA. It works much like transfer credit.

Frequently asked questions

What is Course Credit by Portfolio?

Course Credit by Portfolio (CCP) lets Framingham State undergraduate students earn credit for a specific FSU course by documenting college-level learning they gained outside a classroom. Faculty in the course's department review each portfolio and decide whether to award credit.

What counts as prior learning?

Prior learning is college-level learning you gained outside a traditional college classroom. It can come from work, military training, licenses and certifications, professional development, non-credit courses, internships, volunteer and civic work, self-directed study and other life experience. To earn credit, you need to show that what you learned matches the outcomes of a specific FSU course.

Who is eligible?

Matriculated undergraduate students who have completed the General Education writing requirement can pursue CCP. There's no age requirement.

Do I have to be an FSU student?

Yes. CCP is open only to students enrolled in an FSU undergraduate degree program. If you're not a student yet, start by applying to Framingham State as a new, transfer or returning student. Once you're enrolled, you can begin a portfolio.

Is credit guaranteed?

No. Credit is awarded only when faculty in the course's department find that your portfolio shows you've met the course's learning outcomes. The Portfolio Program Coordinator and your academic advisor can help you choose a course that's a good fit before you start.

How much does it cost?

The review fee is $280 per portfolio, and each portfolio covers one course. The fee is non-refundable and includes one resubmission if credit is denied.

How many credits can I earn?

You can earn up to 24 credits (six courses) through CCP.

When are the deadlines?

Portfolios are due the last day of October for fall review and the last day of March for spring review. If a deadline falls on a weekend or a day the university is closed, it moves to the next workday. Plan to start at least 10 weeks before the deadline.

What happens if my portfolio doesn't earn credit?

You can revise your portfolio and resubmit it once, within 15 business days of receiving the denial letter. You don't need to repeat the workshop or earlier steps, and the resubmission is included in your original fee. The decision on a resubmitted portfolio is final.

Which courses are not eligible?

Capstone courses, courses with a CLEP exam option, Interdisciplinary Studies courses and courses you've already taken and failed are not eligible. Some departments may not offer CCP, so check with the Portfolio Program Coordinator for an updated list of eligible courses.

How will CCP credit appear on my transcript?

CCP credit appears on your transcript with the notation "CCP." There's no letter grade, and the credit doesn't count toward your GPA. It works much like transfer credit.

Will CCP credit transfer to another college?

CCP credit is recorded for a specific Framingham State course. Each college decides for itself whether to accept it, so check with the school you plan to attend.

What if I change my major?

CCP credit is awarded for a specific course and stays on your transcript if you change your major. How it counts toward your new program depends on that program's requirements, so talk with your academic advisor.

Can I test out of a course instead?

Yes. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) lets you earn credit by exam. Courses with a CLEP option aren't eligible for CCP, so take the exam for those. See CLEP and other college credit options.

How is CCP different from prior learning credit in Interdisciplinary Studies?

CCP awards credit for a specific FSU course. Interdisciplinary Studies has its own prior learning option that awards elective credit. Learn more on the Interdisciplinary Studies page.

Four students studying at a table with laptops and notebooks out

Other ways to earn credit

Questions?

Have questions about Course Credit by Portfolio or ready to talk about a course? Contact the creditbyportfolio [at] framingham.edu (Portfolio Program Coordinator).