Portfolio Assessment

Portfolio assessment is an alternative way of earning academic credit by providing written documentation of knowledge, skills and/or abilities obtained outside the classroom. These achievements must be equivalent to those specified in an academic course offered by an accredited college or university (adapted from Thomas Edison State College, Portfolio Assessment Handbook: 2001- 2003).

Portfolio assessment is available to both matriculant and nonmatriculant students taking Department of Interdisciplinary Studies courses. Academic credit for knowledge, skills and/or abilities acquired via alternative routes may be granted through portfolio assessment following review and evaluation by appropriate faculty in consultation with the applicant's Program Director, Chairperson and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research. The Department Chairperson with the Program Director and faculty determine which courses are acceptable for portfolio assessment.

For students seeking credit for health sciences courses, portfolio assessment may be available through UMDNJ-SHRP. Students seeking credit for other coursework (e.g., general education courses) will be referred to other institutions that offer portfolio assessment, such as Thomas Edison State College.

The amount of credit sought and obtainable via each portfolio assessment must be equivalent to that specified for an identifiable course offered either by UMDNJ or another accredited college or university. Depending on the number and credits of the equivalent course(s), students may apply for up to 6 credits of portfolio assessment per semester. Normally, students cannot apply more than 12 credits awarded by portfolio assessment to fulfill their requirements for graduation. The awarding or denial of credit by portfolio assessment is an academic decision. As such, it cannot be appealed.

The fee for portfolio assessment is assessed prospectively and compute as 50% of the applicable University tuition rate x the credits sought.

The procedure is as follows:

1. The entire portfolio process (application for and completion, submission and assessment of the portfolio) takes place during a regularly scheduled academic semester.
   
   
2. A student seeking credit by portfolio assessment first meets with the Program Director to discuss the availability of portfolio assessment for a particular course. If portfolio assessment is permitted, the student must obtain a copy of the course description, credit allocation and any specified objectives and/or competencies helpful in clarifying the expected course outcomes. For students in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, the amount of credit sought via portfolio assessment must corresponds to that for the identified equivalent course or courses (partial credit cannot be sought or awarded).
   
   
3. The student obtains, completes and returns the approved and signed Application for Portfolio Assessment to the Office of Enrollment Services. The Office forwards copies of the application form to the applicable Program Director and Department Chair.
   
   
4. Upon submission of the Application for Portfolio Assessment, the student will be billed the portfolio assessment fee.
   
   
5. The student prepares the portfolio in accordance with UMDNJ-SHRP Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Guidelines for Creating a Portfolio.
   
   
6. Within 90 days after applying for portfolio assessment, the student submits two copies of the completed portfolio to the Program Director (one copy will be retained by SHRP, the other copy will be returned to the student).
   
   
7. The Program Director, in consultation with the Department chair and (where applicable) track or specialization coordinator, assigns two faculty members to review the portfolio. Based on the faculty's review, one of the following decisions will be rendered:

• If the faculty determine that the portfolio provides adequate evidence of equivalent outcomes, then credit will be awarded for the specified course. Credit will be documented via a Pass grade (P) on the student's official transcript.
• If the faculty determine that the portfolio does not provides adequate evidence of equivalent outcomes, no credit will be awarded.
  • If the course is a requirement for graduation, the student will have to register, pay for and take the specified course in a subsequent semester.
  • If the course is an elective, the student may either register for Independent Study or may take another elective, chosen with advisor's approval.
• If the faculty determine that further information is needed, the portfolio will be returned to the student with appropriate feedback.

8. Normally, the assessment decision will be rendered within three weeks after submission of the completed portfolio to the Program Director. The decision will be sent to the student with copies retained in both the student's programmatic file and with the official University record.