Workplace Training

Granite State College degree candidates may request academic credit for formal non-credit academic and training programs, or for course work offered by institutions that are not accredited by a regional accrediting body. Awarding of academic credit requires demonstration of college level learning.

Granite State College offers three distinct options for having your training experiences and unaccredited post-secondary course work evaluated for college credit:

• Individual Validation - evaluation of training that was formally evaluated at the time of completion
• Training Portfolio - evaluation of training that was NOT formally evaluated at the time of completion
• Institutional Transcript Evaluation - transcripted learning sponsored by non-regionally-accredited institutions, proprietary institutions, or home study programs.

• Each training experience (or approved combination) under Individual Validation and Training Portfolio options must include at least 40 hours of effort in order to be considered for credit. "Effort" includes classroom instruction, lab work, reading, written work, and other outside-of-class assignments.
• Individual learning experiences consisting of fewer than 40 hours of effort will not be considered for credit except for programs that are intentionally sequenced and sponsored by the same organization, which may be combined as a single request for credit. The Director of Prior Learning Assessment must approve such combinations in advance. If the learning outcomes are appropriate, the standard for awarding credit will be approximately 20 hours of effort for each semester credit awarded.

1. Complete the Request for Validation of Prior Learning and Training Portfolio
2. Attach all requested documents following the GSC Validation Process Guidelines
3. Include evidence of formal evaluation, if requesting credit through the Validation option
4. Include essay using Training Portfolio Instructions for Essay, if requesting credit through the Training Portfolio option
5. Have your Academic Advisor review your documents and sign the form
6. Pay the appropriate non-refundable fee shown on the form

• Granite State College accepts course credits * from regionally accredited colleges.
• Granite State College places NO TIME LIMIT on your transfer credits.
• Granite State College will formally validate your courses from non-accredited institutions.
• An official transcript is required at the time of application and transfer of credits takes place at admission.

* with a grade of "C" or better, and depending upon your degree requirements

Please Note: Due to the careful review conducted by faculty and the paperwork required in the process, decisions may take up to three months after receiving the completed request and supporting documentation. Submission of Validation and Training Portfolio requests must be completed no later than submission of the Intent to Graduate form.