What kind of formal paperwork is needed to prove prior learning in areas that I am interested in challenging? Most of my past training either was done within a company without "certificates" being handed out or I just never kept them. Two companies that have sent me to training courses had those done for them, so all training records are kept there and they will not release them to anyone including me. Do I need some notorized document stated what I was taught? Thanks, Monte
Hello Monte and welcome, I am unsure of why your training courses would be unavailable for validation unless you have a government position which is classified. If this is not the case then is it legal to hold evidence of training and education? I believe there are several JD members that can comment. You can check the TESC website for portfolio information as well as Lawrie Millers page. I am sure Steve can comment on his portfolio experiences. We found them a little different then advertised and certficates REALLY help. How can you post them on your resume if you can't prove you acquired them? Hille
I see your point, but having to list them on a resume has not ever been an issue. Take one situation where I was basically taught OJT (on-the-job) regarding business law and principles of business. This fundamentals helped me advance into positions I have held in the past such as Manufacturing Manager and later, VP of Manufacturing. While no formal training was done, don't these count as training credit? If so, how would I prove these are valid lessons for credit? Thanks,
Hello, In thinking briefly about this I would encourage you to take every test available that could establish your knowledge as credible. Check out Lawrie Millers page. If you can define your goals and timeframe it may make things easier for you. If you have any college credits assemble them in transcript form and plug them into the goal degree. You can print a degree format off the TESC webpage. For some quick credits check the FEMA EMI webpage. Look at the small letters EMI and take a look. This can be started immediately. My husbands second BA was filled with electives from FEMA. An example of testing...my husband Bob ran a masonry business for 25 years changed his business to building rehab and decided to become a special ed teacher. His life was extremely technical. He originally had a degree in Economics. Technical Writing TECEP was very easy for him. I will be glad to offer an insite I have. Hille...you can do a search under my name to see what portfolios worked.
Monte, welcome to the board. I only mention this because I noticed that you've only posted here a couple of times. Be careful about programs that offer degrees based on "prior learning and experience." Many of these are degree mills. Since you're here on this board, I'm sure you've gotten a firm grasp of accreditation, how it works, and when it is important. Out of curiosity, what school are you considering?
Re: Re: Prior Learning Credit Thanks for the word of caution. I am not after any form of "quick" degree. It must be accredited from one of the six. I'm leaning (from the discussions here) towards either TESC or COSC.
Quick question Hille, where did your husband get his second BA from, and in what area of study? All the second BA programs I've seen don't require any elective credits but just have a bunch of required courses from within the major. The only second bachelors program I've seen that would make use of FEMA credits is TESC's Bachelor of Science in Human Service with a concentration in Emergency Disaster Management, which I'm not eligible for because it's restricted to people with careers in human services. If there's any other bachelors degree that can be completed as a second (or third or fourth) BA and have a bulk of the credits be FEMA credits, I'd love to hear about it since from what I've read it's not that hard to accumulate a considerable amount of FEMA credits within a short period of time.
Hi Anthony, Although I am not sure of this particular situation, there is a scenario that you could get a second degree at Excelsior with your newly earned credits outside of your degree concentration. For instance, if you already have the necessary concentration credits for another major but need another 30 credits for another actual degree, I don't think it matters what field those credits are earned. This is because Excelsior does not issue double majors, they will only issue another degree after another 30 credits are earned and the major's requirements are met. Tony To the more knowledgable who have went through this process, please correct me if I am mistaken. Thanks.
Ah I hadn't thought of that. Although previously earned credits can't count towards the 30 credit requirement, they can be used to place out of requirements, and since Excelsior doesn't have a limit (or has a very high limit) on the number of concentration requirements you can place out of you can fill the 30 credits partially or entirely with electives like the FEMA stuff. That would work out perfectly for me since I have a large number of political science and sociology credits that I could apply to those concentrations and eliminate most, if not all, requirements, then fill up the 30 credits with FEMA credit and credit by examination (for any remaining requirements I might still need to complete).
