How to write and submit your journal topics
Your life experience credit depends on a short bio offering some details about yourself, the number of topics you write about, and their length. We'll guide you through the process, step by step.
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STEP 1
Write your bio
Introduce yourself through a short 500+ word bio. You'll write this just once with your initial life experience application even if you write more than one journal for potential credit.
Autobiography: View template 
/ View sample (PDF)
STEP 2
Choose your topics
Journal topics are arranged by credit type. Outlines are already approved so you don’t need to create your own. Just select the subtopics that match your experience.
STEP 3
Decide your journal length
Your journal length depends on two things: the number of credits you’d like to earn and the number of subtopics you’d like to write about.
| Max. credit amount | Word count (total for all subtopics) |
|---|---|
|
3-credit journal
|
3,000 - 4,500
|
|
2-credit journal
|
2,000 - 3,000
|
|
1-credit journal
|
1,000 - 2,000
|
|
|
STEP 4
Download a template
No need to write an intro or conclusion — just follow the template we’ve set up.
One credit: View template / View sample (PDF)
Two credit: View template / View sample (PDF)
Three credit: View template / View sample (PDF)
STEP 5
Upload documents: Must be a student
Log in to MyPhoenix to upload your submission, which will include:
1. Your 500-word bio
a.(You’ll write this one time and include it with each journal submission.)
2. Journal submission(s)
3. 3rd party verification of the student’s experience in the subject:
a. Two letters
b. Certificates or credentials
c. Other documentation that validates the experience
Not a student? Apply to University of Phoenix.
More to know about life experience journals
You’ll write from first-person experience — no research, citations or references are needed.
- If your journal is denied credit, you may rewrite and resubmit it one time.
- You may submit more than one journal for potential credit through life experience. You can earn up to a maximum of 30 credits allowed toward a bachelor’s degree and 15 credits allowed toward an associate degree.*