Frequently Asked Questions

Is Life Work Credit right for you?

It might be right if you have developed college-level knowledge, skills, and abilities, and you can demonstrate these skills meet the learning objectives of an academic course.

What kind of life experience qualifies for Life Work Credit?

• Work experience
• Business ownership
• Volunteer work
• Civic leadership
• Hobbies
• Independent study

What is the fee for Life Work Credit?

Marist only charges a fee for the review of a Course Match or Portfolio.  This fee is less than the cost of one Marist undergraduate credit.  

For course match credit:

• 1 and 2 credits: $200
• 3 credits: $300
• 4 credits: $400

For portfolio review:

• 3 credits: $400

Professional certifications, military training, and credit-by-examination:

Marist does not assess fees to review and post these credits, however costs may be incurred by the organizations facilitating these credits.

Can I use financial aid to pay for it?

Yes.  You can use surplus financial aid to cover the costs.  Please note that  FAFSA does not factor in prior learning credits as part of a student's full- or part-time status.  Only surplus funds can be used to pay for these credits.

Are these credits transferrable?

No. They appear on your Marist transcript the same way transfer credits do.  However, these credits cannot transfer to other institutions.

How do I choose between a Course Match and a Portfolio Review for my experience?

• Course Match: your experience directly correlates to a course in the Marist College Catalog.
• Portfolio Review:  you have an area of expertise in a particular area of study taught at Marist but it does not directly translate to a course. 

 

The process for both types is the same with one exception - a portfolio review traditionally requires more supporting documentation and a larger narrative statement because the topic is less defined.  

 

	Autobiographical Statement	Resume	Narrative	Supporting Documentation
Course Match	200 Words	Highlights experience relevant to life work credit	3-6 page narrative statement of experience	Writing samples, photos, videos, certifications, etc…
Portfolio Review	200 Words	Highlights experience relevant to life work credit	10-15 page narrative statement of experience	Writing samples, photos, videos, certifications, etc…