Credit by Portfolio Assessment

What is a Learning Portfolio?

Learning portfolios are used to assess a student's level of knowledge when all other methods of CPL have been exhausted. A learning portfolio consists of:

1. a learning narrative (see example) that documents an individual has met the student learning objectives for a single course,

2. supporting materials that provide an example of the stated learning, and

3. an updated resume.

The contents of a learning portfolio have been accrued through the student's non-credit learning experiences such as community service, work experience, military experience, volunteering, independent-study, and extensive travel, for example.

How does it work?

Students who wish to pursue credit through portfolio assessment set up a profile through the CNM ePortfolio website, using their CNM credentials to sign in. Once the profile is set up, students can review all courses eligible for portfolio assessment, review the learning outcomes that must be addressed in their learning portfolio, and submit their request.

• Note: Some courses may require prior approval from the faculty assessor, which may include development of learning outcomes for a practicum course. This will also be noted with the course learning outcomes document attached to the course listing.

If the request is approved, the student is provided with a link to pay the $25.00 processing fee and is allowed to begin developing their learning portfolio, using the CNM ePortfolio Development Handbook provided within their CNM ePortfolio account. 

Once the ePortfolio is submitted, the assigned faculty assessor will evaluate the ePortfolio and determine if credit will be awarded. Students are notified of the decision through the CNM ePortfolio Messaging Center and by CNM email. 

Find out more by visiting the CNM ePortfolio website.

Is Portfolio Assessment Right for You?

To help you decide if portfolio assessment is something that you would like to pursue, review the following questions:

• Have you worked in your field for several years?
• Are you able to explain and differentiate your learning from your experiences?
• Have you attended several work-related trainings or professional development workshops? 
• Have you served in the military and able to identify and discuss additional learning not listed on your Joint Services Transcript (JST)?
• Do you feel like it would be redundant to take a specific course within your program because of what you have learned from your experiences?
• Are you comfortable writing papers? (See below for an example portfolio learning narrative.)
• Do you possess work products, other material evidence, or documentation that supports your level of knowledge for the course?
• Can you demonstrate that you currently have the knowledge and skills of the course for which you would like to earn credit?

If you answered yes to several of these questions, portfolio assessment may be an appropriate way for you to earn credit for your prior learning experiences. 

Note: If you are still unsure if this is right for you, take the CNM ePortfolio Eligibility Wizard questionnaire to help you decide.

Example ePortfolio Learning Narrative

Students who chose to develop a learning portfolio will be required to write a narrative that shows how they have met the student learning outcomes of the course for which they are creating it. Click on the following link to see an example of a learning narrative.

• Example Portfolio Learning Narrative

Portfolio Assessment Fee

The fee for portfolio assessment is $25.00. If your request is approved, you will be provided with your options for paying the fee with your approval email. This fee is only for processing your request and the final credit decision. It does not guarantee credit will be awarded and is non-refundable. Financial aid does not cover this fee.

Find Out More

1. Visit the CNM ePortfolio website.
2. Click on Get Started to go through the Eligibility Wizard, which will help you determine if portfolio assessment is a good option for you.
3. Sign in using your CNM credentials to start a profile
4. View courses in which portfolio assessment is available, and review the course learning outcomes document attached.
5. Verify that you are able to show a faculty member your level of knowledge and ability to meet each learning outcome through both a written narrative and documentation obtained through your prior learning experiences.
6. Submit your request.

Note: Some courses may have additional requirements such as, prior approval, submission of student-developed learning outcomes, or a follow-up interview and/or skills-based demonstration after the portfolio is assessed. If a particular course has an additional requirement, it will be noted on the course learning outcomes document attached to the course listing in CNM ePortfolio. The faculty assessor will contact you to schedule these. 

Portfolio Assessment Deadlines

Requests for portfolio assessment are only allowed up to the second week of each term. However, you are encouraged to submit your request as soon as possible in order to start creating your ePortfolio at the start of the term to maximize the amount of time you have to complete it. Students who complete their ePortfolio before the submission deadline are welcome to submit early.

* Portfolio assessment is not allowed during your final term to ensure graduation is not delayed.

 **Holidays may affect these deadlines.

Request ePortfolio Assessment for a Course Not Listed

Courses that have already been approved for portfolio assessment will be listed in the CNM ePortfolio portal and include an attached list of the course learning outcomes that must be addressed in the final ePortfolio submission.

If you would like to request credit by portfolio assessment for a course that has not already been approved, please visit the CNM Course Learning Outcomes Catalog and verify you are able to demonstrate your ability to meet them through a portfolio before submitting your request through CNM ePortfolio. Your request will be reviewed and you will receive notification of the decision within 10 business days.

Note: If your request is accepted, you may have to wait until the following term to begin developing your learning portfolio.

Courses Available for Portfolio Assessment

The following is a list of courses for which portfolio assessment is currently available by the school that offers the course. Additional requirements are also noted.

School of Business, Hospitality & Technology

• BUSA 1130 – Business Professionalism (3 Cr)
• ENTR 1110 - Entrepreneurship (3 Cr)
• ENTR 2110 - Small Business Management (3 Cr)
• MGMT 2110 – Principles of Management (3 Cr)

School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety

• CHW 1190 - Community Health Worker (1 Cr)
  • Students will meet with the faculty assessor to obtain prior approval and to establish the learning outcomes that will need to be addressed in the ePortfolio. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor.
• HIT 1020 – Medical Terminology and Anatomy (3 Cr)
• PL 1110 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3 Cr)
  • Students will need to meet with the faculty assessor to obtain prior approval. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor, after you have submitted your request.
• PL 1120 - American Law and Ethics (3 Cr)
  • Students will need to meet with the faculty assessor to obtain prior approval. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor, after you have submitted your request.
• PL 2120 - Civil Litigation (3 Cr)
  • Students will need to meet with the faculty assessor to obtain prior approval. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor, after you have submitted your request.
• PL 2130 - Criminal Litigation ( 3 Cr)
  • Students will need to meet with the faculty assessor to obtain prior approval. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor, after you have submitted your request.
• PT 1011 – Introduction to Pharmacy Technician (3 Cr)
• PT 1316 – Pharmacy Technician Pharmacology I (3 Cr)
• PT 1710 – Intermediate Pharmacy Technician (3 Cr)
• PT 1716 – Pharmacy Technician Pharmacology II (3 Cr)
• PT 2010 – Pharmacy Technician Professionalism (3 Cr)
• PT 2016 – Pharmacy Technology Pharmacology III (3 Cr)
• PT 2090 – Pharmacy Technician Clinical (3 Cr)

School of Liberal Arts

• ANTH 1160 - World Archaeology (3 Cr)
• ANTH 2290 - Anthropology Practicum (1-6 Cr)
  • Students will need to write their own learning outcomes to address in their learning portfolio. These will need to be included in your request to obtain approval from the faculty assessor.
  • Students will also be required to complete an interview with the faculty assessor, in addition to creating and submitting their ePortfolio. This will be scheduled by the faculty assessor once the ePortfolio has been evaluated.
• ENGL 1210 – Technical Communications (3 Cr)
• ENGL 2210 – Professional and Technical Communication (3 Cr)

School of Skilled Trades & Arts

• ELTR 2020 - Industrial Motor Control (3 Cr)
  • Students must include an affidavit of work experience from the student's employer in their portfolio.
  • Students will be required to perform a skills demonstration, which will be scheduled by the faculty assessor once the portfolio has been evaluated.
• ELTR 2030 - Industrial Power Distribution (3 Cr)
  • Students must include an affidavit of work experience from their employer in their portfolio.
  • Students will be required to perform a skills demonstration, which will be scheduled by the faculty assessor once the portfolio has been evaluated.