NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACHES TO EARNING CREDIT

Prior approval must be obtained before enrolling in any of the options listed below. All transcripts must be on file at Concordia to ensure there will be no duplication of coursework.

Telecourses are designed to provide college-level studies for anyone who wishes to earn undergraduate credit toward a degree program or to improve his or her knowledge in any of the areas covered by the courses offered. Telecourses provide the student with the convenience of a self-paced curriculum. Being able to view the segments when most convenient for the student represents the ultimate in flexibility. A student is allowed a maximum of 16 weeks to complete a telecourse. Please phone the Continuing Education Office at 262-243-4400 or contact your Center Director to request the enrollment information.

E-Learning Courses are available to our undergraduate students through the E-Learning office at Concordia. These courses may appeal to students who prefer self-study to classroom participation, or who missed out on a course needed with their cohort. The tuition is the same as other adult education courses, and books are included in the cost. Approval must be granted by the advisor on the Transfer Request Form prior to registration with the E-Learning division.

Independent Study allows students to develop a course of study in a subject area for which there is not already a module or credits on the student’s transcript. Through the completion of the proposal, the student will state goals and objectives, materials to be used, and means of assessing the learning.  An advisor will be assigned to the study. It is the responsibility of the advisor to supervise the completion of the study and to report to Concordia satisfactory completion of the work, at which time credit will be awarded.

Travel Studies Travel study opportunities are offered every year and are available to traditional and adult students alike. Over the past few years destinations have ranged from Italy, to London, the Caribbean, China, France, and Africa. Participants should contact the sponsor of the trip directly to obtain the necessary forms. To register for the accompanying course credit, if desired, the student should contact the center that they attend to obtain the correct course code. Credit can be applied to the elective or, in some cases, the core area. Undergraduate students may be eligible for up to $1000 in grant money if they have earned at least 60 credits at Concordia. Grant applications must be submitted the year before the trip.  View the list of travel study opportunities.

Portfolio Assessment of experiential learning allows students to document college-level knowledge and competence acquired outside a classroom setting. Portfolio Development Workshops are periodically conducted at each center. During these sessions the students are guided through the process of determining what constitutes college-level learning, the process of developing each petition for credit, and the means to use for providing documentation. Portfolio credits apply only to the elective area, though 2 of the 21 credits may apply to the physical development core requirement. For an AA degree, a maximum of 7 credits may be applied toward that degree. For a BA degree, a maximum of 21 of the required elective credits may be earned through the portfolio. A per credit fee is charged for portfolio credit requests.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) These programs serve students who want recognition for college level achievement acquired outside the conventional classroom. Check with your director for test centers in your area. Students must complete a Transfer Request Form so that the individual record can be checked to be sure that the proposed credits will be accepted. Students will need to allow at least two weeks for these requests to be processed. To receive credit for either CLEP or DANTES tests students may not have credit for similar coursework on their transcripts. CLEP and DANTES credits are NOT accepted for Core credit, except in the areas of Physical Development and Mathematics.

ACE (American Council on Education), and PONSI (National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction) are organizations which validate for-credit coursework completed through non-collegiate education and training programs. The student must have official copies of the educational transcripts sent to Concordia.

LOMA (Life Office Management Association) and AIB (American Institute of Banking) provide means to receive college credit for company training professional development programs through an employer. The student must have official copies of the educational transcripts sent to Concordia.

Military Credits are granted based on the evaluation of an official AARTS transcript, Community College of the Air Force transcript, or for military service prior to 1981, DD 214 documentation.