1. How is my student status (freshman, sophomore, etc.) determined?
Each student needs a total of 120 credits to receive a Bachelor’s degree. Official transcripts are required from regionally accredited schools of post‐secondary education that you attended in the past and would like to receive the credit from those courses. Additionally, you are assisted in documenting life experiences through the Credit Documentation Process and matching those to courses.
2. Will all my credits transfer from other accredited Colleges and Universities I have attended?
Credit transference is a process. This is why you must submit official transcripts from schools you’ve attended.
3. Do I need official or unofficial transcripts?
You need an official transcript to transfer credits from another institution. If you have them send it to you, it must be in a sealed envelope and it must stay sealed when you deliver it to College Unbound. This is what makes transcripts “official” and is the same process for most colleges and universities.
4. How is life credit evaluated?
There is a Credit Documentation Process for prior learning/professional experience. Students will be supported in this process with clear written instructions as well as with samples. A College Unbound Academic Liaison (AL) works with each student to document prior work and match that to courses provided at the college. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Past experience is evaluated based on the knowledge gained—not just as a list of experiences, but as deep and meaningful learning. Credit is not granted for experience in and of itself, but for the knowledge gained as a result of the experience.
5. How will I be able to have credits count from another institution if I owe money to them?
The Big Picture Learning/College Unbound team has a financial planning person to help students navigate the pre-financial aid process for completing a FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This process includes identifying the steps you need to take with prior colleges and universities to clear debt and make your credits available for College Unbound.
6. What will my degree from College Unbound look like?
Upon completion of the College Unbound program, you will receive a Bachelors degree from one of our accredited University partners. Which partner you choose to work with will depend on your field of interest.
7. How many days/hours a week will I have to meet with my Academic Liaison and attend seminar?
As an individualized program, this varies per student. This is unlike traditional coursework where you get credit based on how many hours a week you are in class. In College Unbound there are multiple methods to calculate time for receiving credit. For example, there is a weekly meeting with the student body. But there are also scheduled meetings with your Academic Liaison, small group/cohort meetings, joint review sessions with your Academic Liaison and your Professional Mentor, and so forth. All hours will be documented to be in line with credit requirements.
11. How many hours a week will I need to dedicate to schoolwork?
At College Unbound, we don’t separate ‘schoolwork’ from learning. We see this as a program that fits into and engages in the issues you address through your work. You need to have time in your weekly schedule to meet, talk through, write about, contextualize, and theorize your project at work or at your internship in meaningful ways.
