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Life Experience Master's Equivalent

Applicants who have not completed a Master's degree may apply for a life experience equivalency. They will be required to submit a portfolio, with verification of experience, that documents their work history, certifications that they possess (CPA, etc), additional training they have received (military, private business, etc). In the application they will need to document specific references to:

a. Title CEO, CIO, CFO, Director of ______
b. Business Experience Five years of management experience minimum
c. Finance Background Demonstrated understanding of budgets, finance, and  accounting
d. Strategic Planning Demonstrated experience at some level
e. Personnel Experience Demonstrated experience to indicate hiring, firing, promotion, etc.
f. Certifications CPA, CFA, etc.
g. Additional Training How management skills have been developed – workshops, CEU’s, etc.
h. Awards Primary emphasis will be given to awards that were generated by peers.
i. Professional Organizations Memberships, leadership positions held

In addition, the committee will review other information to determine if the applicant had life experiences equivalent to a Master's degree. This would be based on the length and breadth of experience.

A committee consisting of the ACI Director, the WIU Certification Officer, and a WIU EDL Professor will review the portfolios and make a determination if the total life experiences are equivalent to a Master's degree.