What is PLA?
Prior Learning Assessment or PLA is a way to award academic credit for learning that has taken place outside the classroom. It recognizes that adult students often bring with them considerable knowledge and skills gained from years of experience in the workplace and elsewhere.
Benefits of PLA?
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, a national organization that promotes effective strategies for the academic success of adult learners, conducted a study of over 62,000 adult learners at 48 colleges and universities across the country. They found that students who earned credit through PLA completed their degrees faster, were more likely to graduate and had higher GPA’s. In addition, earning academic credit through PLA can significantly reduce the cost of a college education.
- Work experience
- Continuing professional education and development
- Seminars and workshops
- In-service training
- Certifications and licenses
- Military Experience
- Non-credit courses such as MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses)
- Extensive reading, research, or independent study in a particular area
- Extensive volunteer experiences
- Completed EH 102, EH 105, an equivalent transfer course or placement;
- Received approval from the PLA coordinator;
- Submitted application form, signed contract and $100 non-refundable application fee;
- Students must apply for PLA-P the semester before the portfolio is created for review.
- PLA-P preparation and review are only available in fall and spring semesters.
- Students interested in PLA-P will schedule a meeting with the PLA coordinator to discuss
their background and potential courses for which PLA-P could possibly be done. It
is up to each department as to whether they will accept PLA-P or not. The PLA coordinator
will work closely with academic departments and students to determine possible courses
for which PLA-P might be suitable.
- Once accepted to participate in the PLA-P process, the student will submit the PLA-P
application and contract, delineating the approved course or courses and agreement
with all PLA-P policies.
- Upon submission of the application and contract, student will be charged a non-refundable
fee of $100 to start the process.
- Student will be entered into a USA Online worksite that will lead them through the
creation of a of a robust portfolio with all the required elements. All elements will be printed, compiled into a final portfolio and submitted to the
PLA coordinator for review.
- PLA coordinator will forward completed portfolios to the department chair or designated faculty assessor along with a review guide and rubric. The assessor
will determine if the portfolio adequately demonstrates learning to match the learning
objectives of the approved course for which academic credit is being sought. Credit is not guaranteed.
- If credit is granted, the student will be charged $100 per credit hour ie. $300 for a 3-credit hour course.
- University policy allows students to earn up to thirty total undergraduate hours of credit through all forms of Prior Learning Assessment. PLA-P may constitute any number of those hours, up to thirty.
- The number PLA-P credit hours allowed toward any academic program requirements will be determined by the department.
- PLA-P is not allowed for general education credit or for those courses required for certification or licensure.
- PLA credits are applied to meeting degree or program requirements in the same manner as credits earned at USA.
- Credits earned through PLA-P can count toward the residency requirement.
- PLA-P credit is not graded. It does not affect GPA and is not factored into GPA hours. PLA credit will not apply toward academic honors at graduation.
- PLA-P credit may not be recognized by new majors, transfer to other institutions or meet graduate program admission requirements.
Students approved for PLA-P will be entered into a USA Online tutorial worksite which will walk them step by step through the portfolio contents and creation process.
Application and contract are fillable PDFs. Please download, fill out electronically, print and sign.
How can I learn more?
Contact Adult Learner Services to schedule a call or meeting to answer any questions.
Bob Charlebois
PLA coordinator
251-460-6257
adultlearner@southalabama.edu