Validation of Learning Experiences

Written Tests for Validation of Learning Experiences

These consist of a written examination based on the entire content of a course. Tests in Spanish may be prepared by the Spanish faculty of the University. The tests in English and mathematics may be prepared and administered by CLEP, by the Advanced Placement tests of the College Board or by the English and mathematics faculty of the University. Passing scores on the CLEP will be those recommended by the American Council on Education for examinations given in English.

 First-year students who score 560 or higher in the mathematics portion and 580 or higher in the English portion of the PAA test may take validation exams in the core courses of the disciplines in which they were earned. these scores up to two weeks after the start of classes. Each campus will be responsible for making the pertinent arrangements so that the student who so wishes can take these exams during the first semester of study, before enrolling in the course that has the validated course as a requirement.

Validation of learning experiences of the Avance Program student

The University offers students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the content of many of the courses included in the General Catalog through validation tests and/or portfolio. The Avance Program student may pass up to 30% of the total credits of their study program through these modalities. This will be done as long as there is the appropriate means and scale to verify the expected level of execution and academic departments have the necessary resources available. If the student demonstrates mastery in the manner stipulated in this section, the credits corresponding to the course will be granted without having to attend classes.

Proficiency Examinations

Some of the courses in the General Catalog are not suitable for testing by written examinations, as in the case of skills courses that require some type of manual performance or experimentation. In these cases, other means may be provided to measure their skills. Examples of measurements are typing exercises, supervised activities in art, music and education courses and in laboratory procedures, among others.

The rules governing proficiency examinations are the following:

1. Students should consult the proficiency examination schedule in the respective academic departments for the dates of the examinations.
2. Students desiring to take proficiency examinations must make a request to do so in the office of the corresponding Department Chairperson at least three weeks prior to the date officially announced for the examinations. (Dates will be announced in advance to allow students to apply within the specified time.)
3. Students shall have access to course syllabi and shall be informed as to the type of examination for which they should prepare.
4. Students shall pay 50 percent of the regular per credit cost for the written and performance tests. This payment must be made at least 10 workdays before the date of the examination.  
5. Students shall present and deliver to the examination proctor a written authorization from the Department Chairperson. This person will notify the test results to the student and to the Office of the Registrar which will enter the course and a corresponding grade of P or NP on the student’s transcript.
6. University level credit earned through proficiency examinations will appear on the students’ academic transcript with the grade of P. The minimum grade for which credit will be given is that indicated by the letter grade of C or its equivalent. In those cases where equivalencies have not been determined by prior norms or standards, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs will determine them.
7. Students shall not be permitted to take proficiency examinations for course in which they are enrolled or courses that have not been approved.
8. All students must meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress, except for incoming students.
9. Students who have discontinued their studies for a period equal or greater than one year must be readmitted in the academic term in which they expect to take the examination.

Portfolio

The portfolio is a compiled folder of files completed by by the student, which contains information and evidence showing the student’s experiences and achievements. In this document the student’s learning experiences and achievements are identified, organized, developed and carefully evidenced. Students must meet the following requirements: (1) be registered or be an active student of the University, (2) have declared a major and be admitted to a program of studies, (3) meet the academic progress norms, unless they are newly admitted students. The portfolio should be prepared in harmony with the Institutional Guide: The Validation of Learning Experiences by Means of the Portfolio.

The academic standards governing portfolio are:

1. Academic credit is granted only for knowledge acquired and not for experiences.
2. University credit is granted only for University level knowledge.
3. The learning must have the proper balance between the required theory and practical application.
4. The decision regarding the level of competence and the corresponding credits is made by professors who master the subject matter.
5. The credits granted and accepted must correspond proportionately to the academic context for which they are awarded.

The process for presenting a portfolio is the following:

1. Students will give their portfolio application to the director of the department to which the course or courses, for which they are requesting conformation, belong. They must include with their request a copy of the transcript to avoid the confirmation of learning to which credits have been granted previously.
2. The department director will appoint a professor to evaluate the request and to orient the student on the process and the criteria that will be used in the evaluation of his learning. Using the syllabus or syllabi of the course, the professor will determine if the student is a candidate for this modality.
3. If the student qualifies for this modality, he will pay a fee equivalent to 50% of the regular cost of each course, for the evaluation of the portfolio (according to the credits).
4. After presenting evidence of payment to the department director, the director will designate a professor as mentor and evaluator of the portfolio. The student will be given a copy of Institutional Guide: The validation of learning experiences by means of the portfolio. The payment for this request will not be reimbursed to the student.
5. The student will prepare and organize his portfolio together with the designated professor, who will determine which documents must be presented and the techniques that will be used to demonstrate the student’s learning by using the Portfolio Evaluation Instrument.
6. During the evaluation process, the professor will make recommendations to the student, in agreement with the dates established for their meetings.
7. The student will turn in his portfolio in digital format in CD, no later than the last day of classes of the term for which he is registered.
8. The professor will use the Portfolio Evaluation Instrument to make his evaluation uniform and objective.
9. The professor will submit the results of his evaluation to the department director, who will endorse the confirmation and send it to the Office of the Registrar, for the appropriate official action.
10. When the evaluation of the portfolio is unfavorable, the professor, or in his absence, the department director, will inform the student the reasons for this decision.
11. The grade the student will receive will be P (passed) or NP (not passed).