Welcome to the UMA Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Template site. This site provides information about the portfolio assessment process and offers a recommended structure for your own Google Site portfolio.

How to Apply

If you're a UMA student seeking to earn credit for college-level learning you've gained outside the classroom, you can submit a portfolio to document your knowledge. Each course you seek credit for requires a separate portfolio submission. 

1. Contact Haley Brown to begin the conversation about applying for credit.

2. If appropriate, Haley will refer you to an instructor who teaches the course to get a detailed course syllabus.

3. Carefully review the syllabus and its learning objectives. You should only proceed with a portfolio if you believe you can demonstrate mastery of at least 70% of the course's learning outcomes. The required percentage may be higher for courses in competitive programs.

4. If the faculty reviewer approves you to move forward in the portfolio assessment process, contact Haley to gain access to the Google Site portfolio template. For instructions on how to upload files into Google Drive and onto your Google Site, please download this walkthrough.

NOTE: If a CLEP, DSST, or Challenge exam is available for the course, you must take the exam instead of submitting a portfolio. 

Demonstrating Your Learning

Credit is not awarded for experience or time spent on a task. You must demonstrate in writing that your learning has applications beyond the original situation in which it occurred.

• Your portfolio's narrative piece is crucial. It must be thorough and comprehensive, satisfying the rigorous standards of a college term paper. A poorly written or formatted narrative may result in the denial of your application.

• Meeting the 70% threshold does not guarantee that you will be awarded credit. If you don't think you can meet this minimum standard, consider other ways to satisfy the course requirements. You can consult with the Office of Academic & Career Advising for alternative options.

• You must receive approval from a faculty member who will review your portfolio before you submit it.

Required Portfolio Elements

Your Google Site portfolio must include the following:

• Application Form (can be obtained by contacting Haley Brown)

• Detailed Resume

• Course Syllabus (or Course Charter)

• Personal Narrative

• Knowledge & Competencies Essay

• Job Descriptions/Performance Evaluation(s)

• 3 Letters of Recommendation/Verification

• Supporting Documentation:

  • • • Workshops & Trainings

      • Professional licenses or certificates (if applicable)

      • Membership and activity in professional organizations or in labor relations (if applicable)

      • Awards, citations, or other examples of achievement recognized by others (if applicable)

      • Books, papers, or manuals written, edited or significant contributions made (if applicable)

      • Experiences as a lecturer, panelist, instructor, etc. (if applicable)

• Bibliography

• Other information requested by the faculty reviewer

Next Steps

Once your portfolio is ready for submission, you will need to pay the portfolio fee ($50 per credit hour). This can be done by contacting UMA Enrollment Services (207-621-3185) to pay with a card, or you may mail a check/money order (made out to UMA) using the address below. If you are looking to use a third party for billing, please contact Haley Brown.

Once the portfolio fee has been paid, the portfolio will be sent to the faculty reviewer. The faculty reviewer will make their decision on awarding credit, and Haley will contact you about whether or not you have received credit for the course(s) you have applied for credit.

For more information, please click on Frequently Asked Questions. 

Portfolio Assessment Contact:
Haley Brown
University of Maine at Augusta
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
hbrown120@maine.edu; 207-621-3130