What is PLA?

The College of St. Scholastica has been using the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program since 1981 to award college credit to non-traditional students under the guidance of the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). PLA is a process whereby any learning you have acquired before the assessment and have not had transcripted by a college is evaluated to determine whether it is comparable with what is taught in college, and, if so, is recognized by the award of college credit. Please examine this information to educate yourself about PLA and find out if it is right for you

Prior Learning Assessment is a formal process to evaluate learning that has taken place outside college or university programs through:

• Workplace training / experience
• Non-college courses
• Travel, residency, or teaching in foreign countries
• Volunteer and community activity
• Military training and service

• Identifying a learner's previous life or workplace learning
• Comparing that learning to the learning requirements of a particular course or program
• Assessing/evaluating the learner's knowledge and skills
• Recognizing the learning by granting academic credit in an equivalent CSS course or program

How is prior learning assessed and evaluated?

Various methods are used alone or in combination to assess learning including:

• Portfolio of evidence
• Case study assignments, learning essays
• Department exams
• Performance observation, skill demonstration, product assessment, simulations
• Licenses, certifications

Who will evaluate prior learning?

Evaluators are college faculty who have expertise in both the subject discipline and the specific course content. The evaluators compare the candidate's level of learning to the stated learning outcomes of the course.

The evaluator may verify the documentation with the candidate or may contact employers or references.

How much does PLA cost?

Each PLA credit costs $50.00.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements and an PLA application form are coming soon. Please check back or contact your nearest ADEP office with any questions.

Please answer the following questions to determine if PLA is right for you. You should answer "yes" to a great majority of the questions to consider PLA as an option.

Time Schedule

Can I set a schedule for a project and stick to it?

Can I control the hours I have available for education?

Time Commitment

Do I understand that researching and documenting learning experiences can take time?

Will I be able to pursue this project and continue to maintain other activities that I value?

Resources

Have I completed a degree plan identifying where my experiential learning could be applied?

Do I have certificates from training, on-the-job experiences, or other opportunities?

Do I have verification of past activities (company job descriptions/evaluations)?

Can I obtain letters to validate my learning claims?

Self-discipline

Can I organize and plan my time well so assignments are submitted on time?

Do I have the ability to catalog and organize materials?

Writing

Is my level of writing equivalent to college level requirements?

Can I write about my acquired knowledge of the subject matter in a way that will reveal the depth of my knowledge?

Expected outcomes

Do I expect this to be a quick way to earn college credit?

Have I defined what I expect to accomplish by pursuing prior learning?

Do I know how many credits I would like to apply for?

Do I know the difference between general education credits and credit for a major?

Will the credit I seek be the basis for more advanced course work?

Content

Have I reviewed college catalogs and found a course(s) that seem to match my learning?

Have I already taken a course that covers the same type of content?

Can I apply my learning from life experiences into classroom equivalencies?

Placement of credit

Will the credit achieved help me with my career goals?

Will the credit earned be useful for my academic goals?

Independence and collaboration

I am comfortable working independently?

Do I prefer collaborating with other learners?

I am willing to ask for assistance when needed?

If you are interested in PLA please contact your nearest campus site.