Who can I contact about Recognition of Prior Learning?
In the first instance, contact the Dean of your college, also feel free to contact the following:
- registrar@woolf.university
- +1 (202) 932-7949
RPL Application
- You may access the Admissions RPL application here.
- You may access the Credit Transfer or Exemption RPL application here.
There is a $300 fee for credit transfer and exemption evaluations.
Policy
Woolf’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy covers both informal learning (whether obtained in a formal or informal context) and formal learning (credit transfer).
Woolf’s evaluation process may result in RPL, whereby requirements for admission or progress in a programme are considered to be fulfilled by exemption, or it may result in the transfer or recognition of academic credits required for admission or progress in a programme.
Woolf’s evaluation process for the Recognition of Prior Learning is the process by which an applicant’s formal and informal learning experiences can be assessed for various reasons, such as admission to a programme or even exemption from certain requirements.
- Scope of Prior Learning Evaluations and Their Results
- The RPL Evaluation Process
- RPL evaluation appeals
- RPL Information
- Ongoing review of the RPL evaluation process
Scope of Prior Learning Evaluations and Their Results
Kinds of RPL
Woolf’s evaluation process may result in a Recognition of Prior Learning that includes either exemption from academic credits or the inclusion of academic credits for prior work. There are four possible positive outcomes of the RPL evaluation process:
i. RPL for requirements for admission to a programme are considered to be fulfilled by exemption.
ii. RPL for requirements for progress in a programme are considered fulfilled by exemption.
iii. RPL when formal academic work is transferred or recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for admission to a programme.
iv. RPL when formal academic work is transferred or recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for progress in a programme.
The minimum amount of RPL for progress or exception that can be awarded is equal to the ECTS of the smallest single module (component) in a programme. The maximum amount of RPL for progress or exception cannot exceed 50% of the total ECTS required for programme completion.
Student records
i. Student records for programme admission contain the evaluative record from the RPL Committee.
ii. Student transcripts which contain modules that have been transferred are marked clearly with the transferred credit, showing which course has been assessed to fulfil the requirements of another course.
iii. Student transcripts which contain modules that have been exempted through the RPL evaluation are marked as such, and the student record contains the evaluative record from the committee.
The RPL Evaluation Process
a. The RPL Evaluation Committee
In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, the RPL Evaluation Committee is composed of the Head of Institution (ex officio), the Secretary (ex officio), and the designated RPL Officer (elected by the Head of Institution), and by election, up to two faculty members and two student representatives. A quorum requires only the ex officio members.
b. RPL evaluation for admission to a programme or progress in a programme where requirements are considered to be fulfilled by exemption
i. In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, programme admission is by a Woolf College, and the college must request RPL for the relevant programme, specifying the admissions requirements which RPL is meant to exempt. Students may request RPL Evaluation by contacting their college.
ii. The RPL Officer collates the portfolio of documents to be evaluated for RPL.
iii. The RPL Committee is convened and the portfolio is evaluated.
iv. The RPL Committee may request further information or evidence at any time in the process. In cases of progress advancement, students may be required to sit an exam and successfully pass the examination.
v. In cases where there is an RPL for exemption, no grade other than ‘Pass’ is awarded for the prior learning, and the cumulative grade point average for the programme will not be directly affected by the RPL.
vi. The RPL Committee will record its decision on the student’s record and communicate the decision to the student.
c. RPL evaluation for when formal academic work is transferred or recognised for credit, fulfilling a requirement for admission to a programme or for progress in a programme.
i. In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, programme admission is by a Woolf College, and the college must request RPL for the relevant programme, specifying the requirements which RPL is meant to fulfil. Students may request RPL Evaluation by contacting their college.
ii. The RPL Officer informs the college of the application requirements if these are not already specified on the programme’s profile at woolf.education. These requirements typically include a document checklist, and an opportunity for students to reflect on their prior learning. Applications specify the criteria for assessment, including:
- Acceptability (including, currency – the date limits on prior learning)
- Sufficiency
- Authenticity
iii. The RPL Officer collates the portfolio of documents to be evaluated for RPL.
vi. The RPL Committee is convened and the portfolio is evaluated. The evaluation rubric and decision rationale is recorded.
v. The committee will appoint a subject matter expert (SME) to aid in the evaluation, and while the college may nominate the subject matter expert, the committee may elect an independent SME.
vi. The RPL Committee may request further information or evidence at any time in the process.
vii. In cases where credits are transferred and Woolf does not have complete access to the curriculum, including its Intended Learning Outcomes and lesson content, then no grade other than ‘Pass’ is awarded for the prior learning.
viii. In cases where credits are transferred and Woolf does have complete access to the Intended Learning Outcomes and the lesson content, then the grades are transferred with the credits and contribute to the cumulative grade point average on the student’s transcript.
ix. The RPL Committee will record its decision on the student’s record and communicate the decision to the student by electronic mail.
d. RPL evaluation outcomes
The decision of the RPL committee is delivered to the student and may consist of the following:
i. Full RPL, as requested
- Full acceptance of an RPL request as grounds for admission into a programme of study
- Full acceptance of an RPL request for advanced entry (exemption) into a programme of study
ii. Partial RPL, with explanation
- Partial acceptance of an RPL request for exemption
- Partial acceptance of an RPL request for credit
iii. No RPL
- With request for resubmission with further information
- Rejection of the request
RPL evaluation appeals
In line with Woolf’s Policy of Quality Assurance, candidates for RPL who receive an outcome of Partial RPL or No RPL (with a rejection of the request) may appeal the outcomes of the RPL Evaluation Committee according to the following escalation of appeals:
a. The Candidate may contact the Dean of the College that put the RPL request forward, and seek a resubmission.
b. If the result is negative and the candidate for RPL is not satisfied, the candidate’s appeal will be escalated to the Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Technology Alignment Committee, whose decision will be final.
RPL Information
Woolf RPL policy is public and accessible at woolf.education. All programmes are subject to RPL requests under the procedures of this RPL Policy.
a. Programmes that contain specific RPL requirements, beyond those listed in this policy are indicated as such on the profile of the programme at woolf.education. Such programmes will provide students with an inventory or checklist of the required materials.
b. Students may pose questions about RPL to Woolf via the Dean of the College to which they are applying. RPL fees are based, wherever possible, on the number of equivalent ECTS evaluated, and the fee for RPL evaluation does not exceed the actual cost of the program. Students are informed of the complete costs prior to agreeing to the RPL evaluation.
Ongoing review of the RPL evaluation process
In line with Woolf’s Quality Assurance Policy, the RPL Policy is subject to cyclical review by the Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Technology Alignment Committee (QAETAC).
QAETAC has responsibility for monitoring and oversight of the RPL process in order to ensure consistency and fairness. All RPL evaluation decisions will be reviewed at the next scheduled QAETAC meeting. QAETAC meets semi-quarterly to review the processes and outcomes of the RPL Committee.