Portfolio Assessment: Earn College Credit for What You Know

Classes start on May 5, 2025

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Get College Credit for Portfolio Learning from DeVry

Your experience may line up with some of our required courses, and we think that you should have the opportunity to have some of that experience evaluated toward your degree.

Our Portfolio Assessment (PFA) process gives currently enrolled students the opportunity to earn college credit for learning done outside of the course. By completing the PFA process, you may be eligible to cut down on some costs and maybe even lighten your course workload. This process involves working with your Student Support Advisor (SSA) to determine which course your portfolio learning experience may align with. They will walk you through the process and help you apply, determine your eligibility, and, if eligible, enroll in DeVry’s PFA course to create a portfolio of your experience. You will be able to submit a single portfolio that addresses learning outcomes for one or more courses in your program. Subsequent portfolios may be submitted for additional courses. If you are interested, connect with your SSA to learn more about PFA.

Portfolio Assessment Step-by-Step

Step 1: Schedule a PFA meeting with your Student Support Advisor (SSA)

Discuss with your advisor whether you are a good fit for the Portfolio Assessment.
Confirm with your advisor that this course is PFA-eligible and fits into your degree program, enabling you to earn credit for prior learning.
Once you have discussed with your advisor that this is the right path for you, you can complete the PFA application.
Once you’ve completed it, the advisor will contact you to discuss your eligibility.

Step 2: Take the online Portfolio Assessment portfolio-building course

Once your application is approved, you will be automatically enrolled in our PFA course in Canvas. Our course takes you through 8 modules that help you create your PFA portfolio. There is no tuition charged, required books or fees assessed for this course, but you are required to create a portfolio that represents your experiences and qualifications.

Step 3: Submit your Portfolio Assessment for evaluation

Once you’ve completed the course, you can submit your portfolio demonstrating your portfolio learning.
The online PFA course is required to submit your portfolio for PFA consideration.
You will have 90 days from the time of enrollment to complete the PFA course and submit your portfolio for review.
The reviewer will make the determination within 10 business days and you will hear of the decision shortly after.

Step 4: Make sure to showcase your prior learning

Your portfolio (submitted through the PFA course) is your opportunity to show us your prior learning to meet the course outcomes and potentially earn proficiency credit. Go ahead and show-off those accomplishments! Examples of methods used to acquire learning experiences that you may add to your portfolio include:

Work experience and job skills
Employer training programs
Military service
Independent study
Volunteer or community service
Open-source courseware study and/or other self-study
Other training or skills development

About Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Evaluation

Students have one attempt to seek prior learning competency credit for each DeVry course.
Students may submit a single portfolio for multiple DeVry courses.
PFA credit may not be applied to meet DeVry’s residency requirement.
Students may not appeal the portfolio review decision.

Are You Eligible?

If you’re an actively enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at DeVry University or Keller Graduate School Management studying in the U.S. who has demonstrated English language proficiency, and have met program residency requirements or have enough required DeVry coursework remaining to satisfy the residency requirements, you may be eligible for Portfolio Assessment (see full policy for details). Transfer students must have requested transfer credits from all previously attended institutions before applying for the PFA.