We recognize that you may have knowledge through your professional experiences that can meet a course requirement. If you would like to demonstration that, here are possible ways you can do so

1. Challenge Exam:
   A graduate program may offer oral, practical, and/or written challenge exams approved by their department curriculum committees to assess students' mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills.
2. Individualized Assessment:
   A graduate program may appoint a committee to conduct an individualized assessment. Such an assessment is to be based upon department and college criteria for demonstration of mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills. This type of assessment may include portfolio review, performance-based assessment, and demonstration

If you would like to find out more information about this process, please reach out to the program coordinator of your graduate program and discuss what course you may have experience for and how you could move forward demonstrate your knowledge

Cost for Graduate Prior Learning Credit

The fee for an evaluation for credit at the graduate level is $250 per assessment

Converting Professional Learning Into Graduate Degree Credit Policy

1. A student may earn a maximum of 20 percent of the total graduate credits required for the graduate degree for professional learning acquired through non-credit courses; structured, non-credit professional development program; and professional work experiences to fulfill required or elective courses.
2. A student must be a graduate degree candidate to have the approved credits recorded on the GVSU transcript. Credits for professional learning will count toward graduation but will not be used in computing the grade point average.
3. To be accepted as credits for professional learning (*XXX 697 - Professional Learning), the dates for the non-credit coursework, professional development programs, and professional work experiences must abide by the eight-year time limit for degree completion.
4. Professional learning credits may not be used for a culminating experience.
5. Students are required to demonstrate competency in professional learning via one or both of the following mechanisms:
   1. Challenge Exam:
      A graduate program may offer oral, practical, and/or written challenge exams approved by their department curriculum committees to assess students' mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills.
   2. Individualized Assessment:
      A graduate program may appoint a committee to conduct an individualized assessment. Such an assessment is to be based upon department and college criteria for demonstration of mastery and application of graduate level knowledge and skills. This type of assessment may include portfolio review, performance-based assessment, and demonstration.
6. The decision by the unit head and the graduate program director on the outcome of the graduate program's Challenge Exam or Individualized Assessment is final.
7. With approval of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School, graduate programs may elect not to accept professional learning credits or have additional restrictions.

*XXX refers to the standard discipline-based course prefix (e.g., CMB for Cell and Molecular Biology)