UW-Superior offers its students the opportunity to earn credit for non-collegiate sponsored experiences.

Generally, such "life experiences" are gained from on-the-job training, vocational-technical training, workshops/seminars attended, and independent study. A documented portfolio is prepared by the student which is evaluated by the faculty. If the faculty evaluators recommend credit and the credit is approved by the university administration, it can be used to fulfill graduation requirements for the baccalaureate degree.

It is important to note that you will not be awarded credit for the experiences that have taken place in your life, but rather, for the learning that has taken place because of these experiences. You need to ask yourself three questions: 1. Is it college-level learning? 2. Is it learning that can be documented? and 3. Can the faculty at UW-Superior evaluate it?


Students who want to go through the portfolio process currently have the option of enrolling for the IDS 298, Portfolio Development, course for 1 credit course or 0 credits.  Whether enrolled in the course or not, students must follow the instructions in a manual titled: IDS 298 - Portfolio Development.   The manual may be purchased from the UW-Superior bookstore.

This manual is an excellent resource, as it takes a student step-by-step through the process of developing a portfolio. The manual contains tips and guidelines on how to petition for credit and samples of various sections. It will also expand upon the following six sections of the portfolio:

Section 1: Resume. An outline of educational, professional and organizational experiences headed by name, address, and phone number. It is to be kept brief, one to two pages.

Section 2: Autobiography. A brief history of your adult life experiences, accomplishments, present status, and a statement of educational-career goals. Three to four pages approximately.

Section 3: Credit Request List. A selection of courses from the UW-Superior catalog in which knowledge and skill has been gained. A determination of the amount of credit to request.

Section 4: Current UW-Superior transcript. A copy of your UW-Superior transcript obtained from the Registrar's Office and stamped: ISSUED TO THE STUDENT. It cannot be a photocopy of a transcript or a grade report.

Section 5: Learning Outcome Essays. A justification as to why credit is requested for each course. Write about the knowledge that is possessed, where it was learned, what resources were used, what periodicals, texts, or books were read, what major principles or theories were studied and endorsed, etc. An essay is usually two to three pages (minimum), double-spaced. Important: The essay is the method for conveying knowledge to the evaluators. Credit cannot be awarded for experience alone, nor can the evaluators assume what is known based on a given experience. The evaluators can evaluate only the knowledge presented in the learning outcome essay and documentation.

Section 6: Documentation. A verification of the request for credit. The verification can consist of the following: certificates, diplomas, transcripts, course outlines, seminar resources, paintings/sculptures/pottery/crafts (slides or pictures of the products, audio or visual tapes, etc. Documentation can generally verify only the experience from which the knowledge was acquired or the products of the knowledge. All documentation (photocopies) must be included in the portfolio.

Course Manual for IDS 298, Portfolio Development

Questions? Contact the:  Distance Learning Center

Phone:  (715) 394-8487