Prior Learning

Prior Learning is credit that is awarded based on demonstrated college level learning from life experience—that is, learning that has occurred outside of regionally accredited learning institutions but is equivalent to what might have otherwise been learned in a college classroom. Sources of such learning include work or life experience, travel, community volunteering, previously audited courses, parenting, professional workshops, conferences, independent scholarship or research. BA students may apply for up to 45 credits for demonstrable prior learning acquired before matriculating at Antioch. Prior learning credits are all upper division and can meet any degree requirement (but do not count toward residency).

The process for gaining credit for prior experience learning requires that you:

• assess and analyze your experience for its learning content

• match that learning with your degree plan goals

• translate the learning into academic frameworks

• organize it into course equivalents

• document and demonstrate your learning to an expert evaluator

Two courses guide you through this process: first, Documenting Life Learning (a zero credit/no cost workshop class) helps you identify and organize your prior learning, and then Writing Prior Learning (a repeatable, 3 credit course) supports you to write the demonstration narratives. Once the prior learning coordinator and your advisor approve your course equivalent contracts and narratives you

can actually register for the prior learning credits. The final stage is the review and assessment by the expert evaluator.

Prior learning credits cost only 25% of the tuition for a regular credit (bringing priors about equivalent to the cost of a community college class credit), which makes prior learning credits very cost effective! Please keep in mind that while prior learning credits earned at Antioch Seattle are all upper division credits (300 and 400 level), they do not count toward the required minimum 45 residency credits.

If you are interested in applying for Prior Learning credits, please speak with your advisor to explore the potential to include priors in your program of study. More information can be obtained by making an appointment with Elizabeth Burke, AUS BA Prior Learning Coordinator at 206-268-4401 or eburke@antioch.edu and/or review the documents located in the Prior Learning resource folder in the AUS BA Student Resources Sakai site.

Note: there is an alternative process for earning prior learning through Antioch University Online that is based on finding equivalent courses in the catalog of an accredited college or University and then developing documentation that provides evidence that you have acquired that same learning. For this portfolio-based process, Antioch collaborates with partners with CAEL (Council on Adult and Experiential Learning. Students electing this route take an accelerated 3 semester (4.5 credit) course PLA 1000: Prior Learning Assessment Theory & Practice to help identify areas of learning and prepare a portfolio for assessment.

The whole process is structured quite differently than AUS priors: it is an entirely asynchronous online process, is supported only by personnel at a distance, and requires a great deal of self directedness. It also only allows for learning that falls into traditional college courses. But this might provide an option for some AUS BA students.

For more information on this alternative pathway, contact the Antioch University Prior Learning Coordinator, Karen Crist at 937-769-1335 or kcrist@antioch.edu.