ACADEMIC RECOGNITION FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING*

Academic Senate Policy S78-27

At its meeting of February 7, 1978, the Academic Senate approved the following policy:

The motto of the University "experientia docet" (experience teaches) reflects its long history as a teacher training institution. But the experiential learning tradition has grown to be characteristic of many other programs. By Fall 1976 there were internships and other field experience courses in every School of the University with a total of nearly 2000 fieldwork enrollments. In addition to these formally-sponsored fieldwork courses, the University also recognizes college-level learning acquired from prior experience, provided that it is judged to be creditable by faculty members in the appropriate area.

I.	DEFINITION OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
	Experiential learning is defined as academic achievement outside the traditional classroom-laboratory-library campus environment. It is the college-level learning which sometimes results from work experience, volunteer service or other structured activities. The University recognizes two types of experiential learning: prior learning which has occurred before academic recognition is sought by the student; and sponsored learning which is undertaken by the student as a planned educational activity approved in advance by the University.
II.	TYPES OF ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
	San Francisco State University gives academic recognition for experiential learning in three ways: 1) placing students in advanced courses; 2) waiving appropriate requirements; and 3) awarding units of credit.
III.	THE ROLE OF THE FACULTY
	Academic recognition of experiential learning, prior or sponsored, and whether the recognition is in the form of placement, waiver of requirements or actual units of credit, must be reviewed and evaluated by faculty members who are qualified in the field of study in which recognition is requested, and must be in accordance with criteria approved by the appropriate Departmental or program curriculum committee.
IV.	CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
	A.	Amount of Credit
		Credit for prior experiential learning will not exceed 30 units including any units for experiential learning which may be accepted, as a result of system policy from other institutions. The faculty in any academic program may set additional limits on the number of experiential learning units accepted, or required, for majors or minors in that program. No credit for prior learning will be entered onto the transcript until the student has successfully completed 30 units of resident study.
	B.	Credit by Externally-Developed Examinations
		Credit will be granted for passing the examinations listed below provided that the credit does not duplicate that awarded for coursework or other examinations or evaluations, and provided that the student has not already received more advanced credit in the same subject. Students who fail an examination may not re-take it within one year. Determination of specific course equivalencies is at the option of the department or program faculty.
		Examination		Passing Score	Units of Credit
		CLEP, Math, General		50 (both parts)	3
		CLEP, Algebra-Trig		49	3
		CLEP, Calculus-Anal. Geom.		48	3
		CLEP, Statistics		49	3
		CLEP Gen. Chem		48	3
		Advanced Placement		3, 4, or 5	6
		Americ. Chem. Soc. Coop		50 percentile	3
		Exam in Gen. Chem.
		CSUC English Equiv.		Pass	6
		CSUC Biology Equiv.		Pass	3
		Credit for additional CLEP tests, in either the general or subject areas, may be granted only if approved by the faculty in the subject matter units which are concerned.
	C.	Credit by Campus-developed Examinations or Evaluation
		1.	For Specific Courses
			Matriculated students may obtain credit by examination in some academic areas as determined by each department and approved by the instructor and department chair. Credit by examination forms are available in department offices.
			The examination will be comprehensive and searching. A grade and appropriate grade points will be recorded on the student's permanent record. Credit by examination may not be counted towards the residence requirement of the University. A student who registers as an auditor may not earn credit by examination in that course.
		2.	For General Studies Categories
			Credit by evaluation for experiential learning (CEEL) is designed to meet the needs of students whose university level prior learning experiences can be evaluated for credit towards the general education requirements of the University. Credit is offered only after a comprehensive and searching evaluation by a faculty member in the area for which credit is sought and approved by a team of assigned faculty members.
V.	CREDIT FOR CAMPUS-SPONSORED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
	Credit for campus-sponsored experiential learning (internships, field study, cooperative education) is awarded to students who enroll in, and complete the requirements for, courses approved for the University Bulletin and taught by faculty in the appropriate University programs.
VI.	CRITERIA FOR AWARD OF CREDIT
	The evaluation of experiential learning, prior or sponsored, for academic recognition will be accomplished by faculty members to ensure that:
	1.	The learning identified is university-level learning;
	2.	Recognition of experiential learning is related to the individual student's overall academic program;
	3.	When credit is granted it does not duplicate credit already included on the student's transcript;
	4.	Credit is granted only after a comprehensive and searching examination of evaluation of demonstrable learning; and
	5.	Only learning, not experience per se, is recognized as worthy of academic credit.
	These criteria will be applied by faculty members to determine that credit is granted only for university-level learning which includes appropriate theoretical, historical and conceptual knowledge and competence.
**APPROVED BY PRESIDENT ROMBERG ON APRIL 19, 1978**

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* This statement applies to undergraduate students. For graduate study, see the Graduate Bulletin.