APEL:  Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning 

The Success of the European  VAE, Work Experience Degrees (APEL)

In 2002 the European Council  created the VAE (Validation des Acquis de l’Experience) that mandated (article L 613-3) European Universities to grant partly or totally regular degrees based on work experience through a jury of University professors. Many were doubtful of the reality or acceptance of the European VAE. Today’s Universities, Institutes of Higher education , & Foreign governments accept  the VAE and its equivalency as part of their own National degrees.

CSU Online also evaluates and awards academic credits for prior experiential learning based on guidelines recommended by the American Council on Education ( ACE) , New York Board of Regents Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI), Council for Advancement of Experiential Learning (CAEL), Defence Activity for Nom-Traditional Education (DANTE), American College Testing ( ACT), Graduate Record Examination  (GRE) and all recognized credit sources.

Based on the above ,the University’s Evaluation and Admissions Council  may grant higher  degrees to suitably qualified applicants with relevant professional experience that conforms to  the European “Bologna Declaration” adopted by the totality (Except Belarus) of European Countries.

APEL and VAE based degrees are awarded to individuals of merit who have a distinguished record in their field of endeavour.

In a number of cases  the applicant’s work experience and credits attained elsewhere are  sufficient to  earn the required  number of credits for the immediate award  of a degree. In other instances it may be necessary  either to submit a dissertation of 5-10.000 words on a topic related to the applicant’s area of expertise or to take a number of courses by Directed Coursework Study under the guidance  of a university accredited supervisor.

NB: Procedures For The Award Of APEL Degrees can be obtained from  the registrar 

If you wish to be considered for said degree the following documents are required:

1. A completed, signed and dated application form 
2. A scanned copy of your passport/ID to verify identity & nationality 
3. Notarized Copy/ies of your certificate/s 
4. A detailed and up to date current CV (to include Names & Contact details of two professional referees)
5. Two passport size photographs. 
6. Application Fee of $75 USDs

(No application will be considered until all above documents are received at the Registry. Please send by registered/recorded/ courier mail)

California Southwest University