APEL POLICY SUMMARY
In the past students have written essays directed at equivalency credit for the principles courses including Principles of Management, Principles of Accounting, Principles of Finance and Principles of Marketing. These courses form the theoretical framework of the business degree and tend to be very broad in scope. It is very difficult for students to prove they have the theoretical knowledge gained through their professional experience that meets the outcomes for these courses. Therefore we advise students to write essays that focus on areas of their expertise and that are geared toward meeting requirements in one of the concentration areas such as Marketing or Leadership, Organization and Management. The purpose of the concentration areas is to give students a significant exposure in a particular field of business with an emphasis on practical experience. Taking the courses that are offered in the concentrations is certainly not the only way to get significant exposure. Therefore, students are encouraged to write essays that are specific to their area of expertise. This policy gives students more of an opportunity to receive credit for their experience. By focusing on their areas of expertise, students can much better demonstrate the knowledge gained from work experience.
Course Number, Title, and Credits. All business essays will go to Dr. Bob Larison. He will then assign the essay to the appropriate instructor for assessment. The instructor reading the essay will be responsible for assigning the number of credits to be awarded. Any business credits received through APEL will be assigned a BA 410 number--Special Topics. The instructor will assign a course title to the BA 410 course such as "Issues in Small Business Management through APEL" or some other appropriate title based on the topic of the essay. Instructors should avoid using the same titles for essays as the permanent business courses. Students can earn up to 6 credits for each portfolio. A Maximum of 20 BA credits will count toward meeting Business Administration program requirements.
Course Substitutions. On rare occasions the instructor may allow an essay to be substituted for a core class. For example, if a student has significant computer skills that clearly meet the outcomes of BA 325, the instructor may substitute BA 325 for BA 410 Special Topics in Computer Applications Through APEL.
Credit for Specific Program Courses. Students can get credit for specific business courses through a CLEP (College Level Examination Program,) or through another program called a DSST (DANTES subject standardized tests). In both of these programs there are exams for a variety of business classes including Principles of Accounting, Business Law, Computer Applications, Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing. By passing an exam, students have proven mastery of the subject area and will be given credit for that course. If the CLEP or DSST is not available for a course, students have the option of challenging the course. The instructor of the course challenged will determine requirements for proving mastery of the course.
Students may write a general essay or a specific essay. A general essay is one under a broad umbrella topic-management, marketing, banking etc. and covers a broad area that is addressed in a little depth-just as the courses are. A broad number of topics should be addressed from the general topic and a good general understanding of the topic should be demonstrated. For example a student might write an essay under the general topic of Small Business Management and in that essay include start up issues, personnel issues, managing inventory, managing cash flows, or any other topics related to managing a small business. A specific essay is directed to a specific topic-supervision, advertising, copy design, office management, etc. and should demonstrate a strong knowledge of that specialty-students should use the terminology of the specialty. In both types of essays, students need to demonstrate knowledge gained through study and practical experience.
Banking : Topics may include management in the banking industry, financial management, or other issues related to the banking industry.
Management : Topics include but are not limited to project management, supervision, leadership, quality management, inventory management, small business management, international management issues, or entrepreneurship. If the primary responsibilities were related to management regardless of the industry then essays should be directed toward the leadership, organization, and management concentration.
Marketing: Topics include but are not limited to advertising, promotion strategy, retailing, customer satisfaction, and distribution. If the primary responsibilities were related to the marketing function then address the essays toward that concentration.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Bob Larison July 2009
Note: Dr. Bob Larison, Faculty Reader, may be contacted at blarison@eou.edu