Experiential Learning

People can learn outside of the formal university classroom. 

Adult students, the kind that attend Brown Western University, have many years of work and life experience to their credit.  Most universities do not want to give you any equivalent unit credit for this type of learning.  Why?  (Perhaps they're concerned about losing tuition?)

Brown Western University wants to help you achieve your goal of earning your degree and to do so as quickly as possible. Therefore, Brown Western University will work with you to ascertain if you have any outside, non-formal learning that might account for unit credit, and then to award that credit within the parameter of the Education Code of the state of California and our accreditation association. 

Because of the wide variety of acceptable non-traditional learning opportunities available, a comprehensive list of what counts is not practical.

However, the following represents some sources we will turn to for guidance as to the evaluation and awarding of credits – undergraduate and graduate.  Each of the following has stood the test of time and have been utilized by thousands of students to earn non-traditional credits worldwide.

ACE - American Council on Education – “College Credit Recommendation Service”

DANTES (military oriented) – Defense Activity for non-traditional educational support.

PONSI – Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction.

CLEP – College Level Examination Program.

Additionally, it may be possible to obtain credit for other life and professional experiences.  The key with all non-collegiate credit is for the student to demonstrate that college-level learning has taken place in that activity, seminar, workshop, conference or corporate educational event.

Please contact the Provost or the Registrar for more information and for instructions on the development of a “Experiential Learning Portfolio.”