Portfolio

A Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Portfolio is a structured collection of evidence of your college-level learned experience, such as resumes, work samples, certifications, and written narratives demonstrating how your knowledge, skills, and abilities meet a specific Shasta College course's Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). After submission, a Shasta College instructor evaluates your work for credit.

Because portfolios require significant time and documentation, we recommend first exploring the CPL: Exam/Assessment or CPL: Industry Recognized Certificate/Credential methods.

Approval of coursework and students for CPL: Portfolio: Faculty are currently identifying which courses qualify for portfolio assessment. Faculty also determine whether your request to create a portfolio will be approved.  

Note: Students must not be currently enrolled in a course for which they are requesting Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Planning and Deadlines

Meet with a Counselor early to ensure this path aligns with your learning and education goals. For details about the portfolio itself, contact the CPL Coordinator at (530) 395-8626 or cpl@shastacollege.edu.

To ensure your CPL: Portfolio is evaluated in a timely manner, submit your petition the semester before the course appears on your education plan. For example, if you plan to receive credit for a Spring course, submit your petition the previous Fall. This is CRITICAL for classes only offered once per year.

Why this matters:

  • Availability: Critical for courses only offered once per year.
  • Processing: Early submission increases the likelihood that your evaluation is completed before the term ends.

Recommended Deadlines:

  • Fall Semester deadline: October 15
  • Spring Semester deadline: March 10
  • Summer: as many faculty are not working during the summer, we cannot assure you that a petition submitted in summer will be evaluated during the summer.

Note: Petitions may still be submitted after the deadline, but may not be evaluated before the end of the term.

How to Request Credit by Portfolio
 

  1. Meet with a Counselor: Discuss your learning, the specific course Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) of the course intended for credit, and how CPL may affect your transfer goals (not every college accepts CPL credit). Contact the CPL Coordinator at cpl@shastacollege.edu or (530) 395-8626 to receive the SLOs for your intended course.
  2. Submit the Petition: Complete the CPL: Portfolio Form. Provide a clear overview of how your experience aligns with the SLOs; faculty will use this description to determine if you may proceed.
  3. Faculty Review: An instructor will evaluate if the course is eligible for portfolio assessment and if your background qualifies you to develop one.
  4. Develop & Submit: If approved, you will receive an invite to a Canvas portfolio shell with step-by-step guidance. Plan for 2–4 weeks to build and submit your evidence for final evaluation.

Need help? Contact the CPL Coordinator at cpl@shastacollege.edu or (530) 395-8626 for support.

Portfolio Evaluation

Once your portfolio is submitted, the Instructor will evaluate your work and assign a grade. The course, units, and grade will be recorded on your official academic record with the notation that the course was earned through CPL: Portfolio. If you do not feel the grade is appropriate, you can follow the campus’ standard Grade Appeal procedures.

Eligibility Requirements

Students requesting Credit for Prior Learning through portfolio must:

  • Be currently enrolled at Shasta College.
  • Have a 2.0 GPA or higher.

Please Note

If Shasta College awards Credit for Prior Learning coursework and units, they will be used to fulfill your Shasta College graduation requirements. This coursework and associated units will be added to your Shasta College transcript. Financial Aid cannot be used to pay for units earned through CPL.

If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at Shasta College may not be accepted at another institution.

Per Education Code, any credit earned through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) will be clearly marked as such on your transcript.

Contact Us

Meet with a Counselor to determine if CPL fits your goals and experience. They will help you select the best pathway for your specific education plan. If you don't have one, the Counseling Department can connect you.

For questions about the CPL process, forms, or portfolio content, please contact the CPL Coordinator at cpl@shastacollege.edu or (530) 395-8626.