What is a Graduate Achievement Portfolio (GAP)?

The Graduate Achievement Portfolio (GAP) is a collection of the best-written work that you have completed at Rasmussen College. An assessment team will read and evaluate your portfolio after you graduate to help improve the learning experiences of other Rasmussen College students.

Why do I need to do this?

  • Rasmussen College uses the GAP to measure how effectively we are teaching our students.
  • You can use the portfolio to reflect on your learning and to self-assess your abilities.
  • You must turn in a GAP to graduate from Rasmussen College.

If you have questions about the GAP Portfolio or anything else, call (888) 549-6755 and a Representative will be happy to help you.

Learn more:


How Do I Create My Graduate Achievement Portfolio?

Save the best examples of your work as a Rasmussen College student. When it’s time to compile your portfolio in your Career Skills class, gather your best assignments and write a cover letter to explain what pieces you have chosen and why.

What Goes in my Graduate Achievement Portfolio?

The best examples of your student work. You will add three separate pieces of written work to demonstrate your skills in the following areas:

  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

What else should I know about the Graduate Achievement Portfolio?

  • You should complete your Graduate Achievement Portfolio by the end of your Career Skills class.
  • Contact your Instructors, the Dean, or the Career Services Director if you need help putting the Graduate Achievement Portfolio together. One of the key goals of this process, however, is for you to recognize which work is your best.
  • Submit only copies of your work, not original work items.
  • Label each piece with the class title or course code for which the work was completed.
  • Include your name, program, and expected graduation date on your cover letter.

What will happen to my Graduate Achievement Portfolio?

  • Your Graduate Achievement Portfolio will not be returned to you, and your name and all identifying information will be removed.
  • Even though the completion of this portfolio is required to graduate, it will not affect your GPA or your eligibility to graduate.
  • Your portfolio will be assessed by a faculty team whose goal is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the instructional programs at Rasmussen College.
  • In the future, Rasmussen College may use your portfolio in variety of ways for the Academic Assessment Program (training future Assessment Teams, etc.).

How do I complete my Graduate Achievement Portfolio?

A Graduate Achievement Portfolio is not considered complete until all four required elements are presented in the following order:

  • Cover Letter
  • Communication Piece
  • Critical Thinking Piece
  • Information Literacy Piece

Points to remember for the Graduate Achievement Portfolio

  • Choose from your best work.
  • Choose pieces that you are proud to have completed.
  • Choose pieces that best represent your learning abilities.
  • Identify which classes the pieces you choose are from and date them.
  • Think about your readers: Will the assessment team understand why you chose a particular item as your Communication, Critical Thinking, or Information Literacy piece?

If you have questions about the GAP Portfolio or anything else, call (888) 549-6755 and a Representative will be happy to help you.