Monroe College recognizes that significant learning can occur outside of the classroom through a relevant job or career, training, extracurricular activity, or personal experience. The Prior Learning Experience process at Monroe College gives students the opportunity to apply non-traditional learning towards a college degree.

Applicants for Prior Learning experience must be candidates for a degree at Monroe College. Credit will be awarded upon presentation of a formal portfolio by the student, which demonstrates how the experience relates to the student's program of study. The portfolio must include detailed descriptions of the experience, including, but not limited to, the work performed, responsibilities of the student during the experience, what was learned, and any formal credentials received as a result of the experience. Portfolios may vary tremendously in content, but they must include documentation such as letters, certificates, licenses and evaluations in support of the student's claim to learning and knowledge. The documentation should be detailed, objective, and as specific as possible.

The Academic Office will determine the number of credits that can be granted, based on the extent of the student's prior learning and the quality and thoroughness of the portfolio.