Up to 94 credits may be granted upon completion of LLCP 400 at the Bachelor's level.

The student's initial program experience is to develop a Lifelong Learning Portfolio. This challenging task has both retrospective and prospective elements and is designed in part to encourage a student to identify the significance of prior learning experiences within a chosen study area. The student works closely with the Registrar's Office to evaluate his/her prior work, life and educational experiences. Although the course is non-credit, the documented prior learning experiences may result in the allocation of variable credits.

The LLCP will include documentation of credit for prior learning experiences, credit for the particular degree program and its academic requirements, and any post-graduate instruction projected for the remainder of the graduate's life.

This process of developing a Portfolio follows the guidelines established for Registrars as described by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

[Guidelines include references such as (1) Assessing Learning: Standards, Principles, and Procedures, Urban Whittaker, CAEL, 1989 (2) Earn College Credit for What You Know, Lois Lamdin, CAEL, 1992 (3) Professional Development Guidelines for Registrars: A Self Audit. AACRAO, 1987]

Bachelor's Level 3 Credits

Regardless of the field of independent study, with assistance from faculty advisors and the central academic administration, each student engages in an independent, guided study of the impact of life-style on health, both globally and personally, including a self-evaluation of life-style habits (for example, nutrition, exercise, family relationships and stress-reduction activities). To this end, students are urged and encouraged to complete an optional self-study evaluation questionnaire at the beginning of their studies.

DRCP 400 Bachelor's Level at least 21 Credits

A comprehensive series of Directed Readings are required in all degree-programs, and will be subject to examination or similar assessment. Monitored by faculty advisors and the central academic administration, these Directed Readings are intended to acquaint students with the contemporary literature of their chosen field of study.

CACP 400 Bachelor's Project at least 6 Credits

With the guidance of an expert and supportive faculty advisor, the student is required to complete a Core Academic Course/Project that demonstrates the level of knowledge, competence and skill appropriate to the level of degree for which he or she is enrolled. At each level, the student is encouraged to utilize papers, programs and other research activities as a basis for expansion into a Core Academic Course/Project.

At the Bachelor's level (project), a student must demonstrate knowledge, awareness and understanding of written materials and activities relevant to the selected field of independent study. Not necessarily a demonstration of personal activity or practice in the field, the work should indicate an intensity of engagement, knowledge and interest in the area.

A student's Core Academic Course/Project must first be recommended for approval by the principal faculty advisor. After review by the University Project Committee, which consists of the Dean of the student's school of study, the principal faculty advisor, and an external faculty evaluator, the Committee will then make a recommendation to the Office of the Dean.

Failure to receive the approval of the University Project Committee will require further research, modification and/or the rewriting parts of the student's project until it becomes acceptable to the University Project Committee as a whole. Any further disagreements would then utilize the appeals process.

CECP 400 Bachelor's Level 2 Credits

The latter stage of a student's program, which includes approval of the Core Academic Course/Project, is followed by an Oral Review Examination (or equivalent) carried out in person or by telephone conference call. The Career Evaluation Course/Project includes documentation of the final orals and related guidance and counseling provided to the student to facilitate his or her transition into a new level or career if desired, or toward achievement of other personal goals. As part of this process, students are strongly urged to complete an assessment of their own personal and professional goals. This exercise will enable the student to assess current skills as they relate to any new skills and talents needed to attain his or her goals or life-style. Such a life-style may include a new career direction or the achievement of other personal goals.

Elective Course/Project for Additional Credits

Credits (credit earned will depend on the amount of work required to be completed by the student)

SRCP 400 Bachelor's Level

The Special Readings Course/Project (SRCP) is an elective course project applicable to students who either require additional credits to fulfill the minimum requirements towards their degree programs or who have been conditionally admitted to a higher degree program but fall short of a few credits. Students will be assigned special reading topics or required to complete a special project. The SRCP will be mutually agreed upon by the student, the faculty advisor and/or one of the deans and the central academic office.

Note: The difference in 400 courses at the Bachelor's Degree level, the 500 courses at the Master's level and the 600 courses at the Doctoral level in the same subject areas is in the level, depth and breadth of learning activities, requirements and evaluation. For example, at the Master's and Doctoral levels, both the quality and quantity of work will differ. Students will be required to conduct more intensive and extensive literature reviews and readings. Written work(s) submitted will be of greater breadth, depth and complexity.