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AGU recognizes that many non-traditional (adult learners) students have acquired college/university level learning through professional work experience, training received in the performance of a job, or a community service. As a result, AGU students have the opportunity to earn credit for what they already know. Credit may be earned in all undergraduate and graduate degree programs either by taking a related proctored comprehensive examination for each course or by developing a portfolio for each course for which the student is seeking prior learning credit in lieu of regular coursework. A portfolio is a detailed, written, self-assessment of what the student has learned through his or her experiences.

Proctored comprehensive examinations:  A student may elect to take proctored comprehensive examinations in lieu of regular coursework for a maximum of 30 credit hours of lower-division general education (except for English requirements) toward the associate's or bachelor's degree, 30 upper-division credit hours toward the bachelor's degree, 12 credit hours toward the master's degree, and 15 credit hours toward the doctoral degree (not applicable to Oriental Medicine Research Advancement). Each proctored comprehensive examination will be administered by an assigned professor in the student's local geographic area.

Portfolios:  Based upon past-related experiences, portfolios may be submitted in lieu of regular coursework for a maximum of 30 upper-division credit hours toward the bachelor's degree, 12 credit hours toward the master's degree, and 15 credit hours toward the doctoral degree (not applicable to Oriental Medicine Research Advancement or mathematics). No work-related credit through portfolios will be granted toward the 60-credit hours of lower-division general education required for the associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A student must be able to verify through accompanying documentation that he or she has learned through experience that which is equivalent to regular coursework. A qualified administrative staff person or faculty member knowledgeable in the field will evaluate the portfolio. A critical component of how successful and applicant is in receiving prior learning credit for a course is dependent upon the thoroughness with which the portfolio has been compiled, assembled, and organized. It is also imperative that the student relate his or her experience to the learning experiences identified in the course syllabus.

NOTE:  For all courses, the corresponding tuition must accompany proctored comprehensive examinations, portfolios, or if elected instead, regular coursework.