1. 1. Complete the portfolio-based assessment eligibility form. Upon completion of this form, the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Liaison will reach out with steps on scheduling an appointment. 
2. 2. Meet with the CPL Liaison to discuss if Portfolio-Based Assessment is the best fit for your major/program of study.
3. 3. Obtain the portfolio-based assessment (PBA) Faculty Determination form. If the CPL Liaison confirms your eligibility and matches your request with an appropriate course, they will provide you with the PBA Faculty Determination Form and the corresponding chartfield through which the course department is compensated for review of the portfolio. If you are eligible to submit a portfolio for review for multiple courses, you will receive a separate form for each course. The CPL Liaison will also provide you with contact information for the department of the course your request has been matched with.
4. 4. Bring the PBA Faculty Determination Form to the Office of the Bursar (Student Services Building, room 165) where you must pay a $50 nonrefundable fee.
5. 5. Contact the department of the course listed on the PBA Faculty Determination Form. Express that you are eligible for portfolio-based assessment for the course you have discussed with the CPL Liaison. The department will provide the rubric and assessment method for the portfolio.
6. 6. Submit your complete portfolio and the PBA Faculty Determination Form to the faculty member affiliated with the course no later than the course withdrawal date for that term.
7. 7. The faculty member affiliated with the course will review the portfolio and complete the PBA Faculty Determination Form, indicating whether credit has been awarded. If credit has been awarded, the faculty member will sign the form indicating so and provide it to you following the review.
8. 8. To receive credit, you must submit the signed PBA Faculty Determination Form to the Office of the Registrar (Student Services Building, room 250N) no later than the last day of classes for that term.

Faculty have discretion in determining what should be included in a portfolio to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for an existing course in the current University of Utah catalog. Students seeking credit through portfolio-based assessment will be asked to create a portfolio that may include a variety of materials such as documentation, reflections, narratives, or other artifacts that provide evidence of learning.

Before requesting credit through PBA, consider the following:

1. Do you have current, college-level knowledge gained through work, community service, or other experiences outside the classroom?
2. Can you clearly explain what you’ve learned from your experiences and how that learning aligns with the outcomes of a specific course?
3. Do you have evidence to support your learning—such as completed projects, presentations, software code, certifications, or other work samples?
4. Are you able to tell the story of your learning through a written narrative, performance, or presentation that demonstrates how you meet course outcomes?
5. Can someone speak to your experience? You may be asked to include letters of reference from supervisors, colleagues, or others who can verify your skills and learning.
6. Have your experiences involved increasing levels of complexity or responsibility? Learning that builds over time—such as mastering advanced tasks on the job or deepening your knowledge through extended travel or volunteer work—can strengthen your portfolio.

VIEW Sample Rubric