For more information, contact:
Carol Gordon
Portfolio Assessment Coordinator
Office: J-1032 (In Counseling Office)
Phone: (815) 280-2671
Email:  cgordon@jjc.edu

A portfolio is a formal written communication, presented by the student to the college, requesting credit for learning which has been acquired outside the college classroom.

The portfolio, consisting of several elements, gives students an opportunity to demonstrate that their experiential learning is similar to that which is taught in a formally structured college course. This prior learning may have resulted from job experiences, community service, travel, hobbies, and/or seminars and workshops.

The following four parts are included in a portfolio:

1. A chronological record serves as a learning resume, listing experiences and skills resulting from those experiences (view example PDF*).

2. A professional autobiographical/goal statement gives the college assessor the opportunity to learn about the student's career and educational goals, values and motivation, and communication skills.

3. The individual course narrative focuses on the student's experiential learning that is similar to the learning outcomes of the course in which they are seeking credit. One narrative is required for each course requested for credit. Students will write their narratives using current course syllabuses and/or course standard lists (view example).  Students will also meet with faculty assessors for further directions and receive sample narratives in GSD 103, Portfolio Development.

4. Another important component of the portfolio is the documentation section. The purpose of this section is to provide evidence of the learning described in the individual course narrative. Just as students in a classroom must provide evidence of their learning in the form of book reports, oral presentations, research papers, or examination results, so too, the portfolio writers will be expected to demonstrate that they really do possess the knowledge or skills they claim to have.

Examples of documentation:

Direct evidence includes the following: samples of work produced by the student such as written materials (reports, articles, advertising materials),  products which can be assessed (computer programs, photographs), curriculum plans for courses taught by the learner, and/or discussion of books read, research conducted.

Indirect evidence includes information about the student and the student's accomplishments, job descriptions, awards and commendations, letters of verification, employer evaluations, evidence of promotion, training records, non-credit workshops and courses, and newspaper or magazine clippings about the learner's accomplishments.

GSD 103, Portfolio Development, is a required course for all students who wish to submit a portfolio at JJC. This is a three semester hour course which may count as an elective towards an Associates Degree (verification the course's applicability can be obtained by consulting a counselor or advisor).

Learning the "nuts and bolts" of how to compile the portfolio is the major emphasis of this course; however, other topics such as learning styles are also covered. The course is designed to give consistent support and assistance to students as they prepare the portfolio sections. A rough draft of a portfolio consisting of  three courses is a requirement for GSD 103. (view sample Table of Contents PDF*).  There is a one year deadline (from the first day of class) to complete the portfolio and submit officially to JJC.

Faculty members in appropriate departments will be assigned to read and assess each course addressed in a portfolio. The portfolio instructor will track the portfolio throughout the assessment process and will contact the student with progress information. There is no letter grade assigned to portfolio credit. Credit will be transcripted as "PR" (Proficiency).

A total of 30 semester hours can be used toward graduation for all prior learning which may also include CLEP and AP exams, military credit, and departmental proficiency tests.

GSD 103 is a traditional credited course with current tuition and fees required. In addition, there is an administrative flat fee of $200 charged for submission of a final portfolio of any length. This fee is based solely on the services performed in the assessment process and is not determined by the amount of credit awarded.

1. Credit will be awarded only for courses offered by Joliet Junior College and listed in the current college catalog; however, not every course in the JJC catalog is available for portfolio development. A current list of approved courses is available.

2. Placement into English 101 based on Asset/Compass scores or successful completion of any prerequisites for English 101 is required for registration in GSD 103.

3. Portfolios must be submitted to JJC a semester prior to graduation.

4. Students who wish to submit portfolios at other colleges may enroll in GSD 103 for general portfolio guidance. It is important that the student contact the intended institution to receive specific guidelines.

* PDF files require the free application ADOBE Acrobat Reader to view & print.