Life Experience Credit
Establishing Life Experience Credit through Portfolio Development
All of us have experiences as we walk through life, and very often we learn important lessons through these experiences. Possibly the lessons you learned and the skills you developed correspond to learning in a college-level course. If you think this may be the case, you can pursue credit for life experiences by compiling a portfolio with guidance of your faculty advisor or the Dean.
The FIELD recognizes experiential learning generally to be at least as valid as classroom instruction, and in some cases even superior. Classroom learning often begins with receiving information through lectures or reading, assimilating and organizing that information into principles, and then applying the principles to specific situations. In experiential learning, one begins by acting, observing, and understanding the effects of his/her action in a specific circumstance. From that experience a general principle is developed, which can then be applied to a new set of circumstances.
The Priority of Life as a Teacher in the Bible
God places a very high value on life as a teacher. Paul was full of classroom instruction when God revealed Himself on the Damascus road and then took him into seclusion in Arabia for three years to learn directly from Him (Gal. 1:15 -18).
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil (Lk. 4:1-14). He then returned "in the power of the Spirit" to begin His public ministry.
God took Moses to the backside of a wilderness for 40 years of preparation so he could be sufficiently trained to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Ex. 2-4).
Jesus called the twelve disciples to "be with Him," to be mentored by Him and thus equipped to be world-changers (Lk. 6:12 -19). His classroom was in the streets and the hills. The disciples learned by watching Jesus minister and ministering along with Him. The Master Teacher chose this teaching methodology rather than sitting them down in a classroom to instruct them.
At The FIELD SEC, we believe that the lessons learned from life are the truest and usually most valuable and enriching lessons ever experienced. They are often far superior, deeper, and more life-changing than what is learned in the classroom. Many who have both walked the road of life and tasted of the classroom scenario would vouch for this truth.
Not all people learn from the experiences they have. The Israelites did not learn from life, and so they died in the wilderness. It is tragic to live and not learn from what life is saying to you.
We highly honor the wisdom and knowledge from life experiences. We are pleased to give credit for the education you have received simply by experiencing life.
Basic Policies Which Guide the Establishment of Life Experience Credit
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Credit is awarded for experience that results in learning.
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Learning must be achieved at a collegiate level, with a balance of academic insights, attitudinal changes, and behavioral out-workings.
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Since The FIELD SEC allows students to develop individual course topics in conjunction with their faculty mentor, there is not a need for their life credit to perfectly match any particular course listing in The FIELD SEC's catalog. As long as it could be a course listed in a college catalog, it is acceptable, presuming the learning will be helpful to one's overall educational goal. Remember, one's educational goal at The FIELD SEC is to become a multi-gifted leader.
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Credit cannot be given twice for the same learning experience.
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If a student wants to appeal the decision on how much credit was awarded, he/she may appeal. In such a case, the Dean or Faculty Advisor will take the documentation to two additional qualified instructors. Together as a team, they will reach an agreement on the credits to be awarded. Their decision will be final and binding.
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After the Dean evaluates your portfolio, you will be charged $13.33 per life experience credit received.
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A limit of one-quarter of the total credits received toward any degree may be achieved through life experience credits.
