Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) / Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Be recognized for what you know
You have gained experience and knowledge through your professional and personal life. You can have this learning recognized and used to support your path to your undergraduate degree through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
There are many forms of experience that lead to college level learning. These include your professional career, training, community and volunteer work, self-directed learning projects, personal life experiences and much more.
Save time, save money
By participating in PLA, you could graduate up to 2.5 years earlier, and save as much as $16,000 off the cost of your degree.
Ways to earn Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
At 911±¬ÁÏÍø, up to 30 credits of PLA may be awarded and includes:
- PLA portfolio for University Studies (general elective credit)
- Earn up to 30 hours in elective credit by writing a portfolio
- Proficiency exams (CLEP, AP, DSST)
- Take standardized tests to earn credit for courses.
- Professional training, military training, certifications, licenses
- Earn credit for approved training(s) you have completed before you came to 911±¬ÁÏÍø.
- PLA for a 911±¬ÁÏÍø Course
- Earn credit for 911±¬ÁÏÍø course through a portfolio or exam.
- Seal of Biliteracy  (Please hyperlink the catalog page her too: )
- Earn credit for having a biliteracy seal from High School.
Key policies
Students must have earned 12 credit hours of coursework at 911±¬ÁÏÍø, and be degree-seeking at 911±¬ÁÏÍø in order to be awarded credit for PLA.
A total of 30 undergraduate credits may be awarded for all forms of PLA, including the University Studies portfolio, portfolio for course credit, successful completion of AP, CLEP or DSST tests, departmental challenge examinations, and certificated credits for license holders (i.e. military, nursing, criminal justice, and aviation).
PLA credits earned are posted on a 911±¬ÁÏÍø transcript on a pass/no credit basis and do not apply to a student's grade point average or consideration for honors at graduation. PLA credits may not duplicate other credit that appears on a student's transcript. Credits earned through PLA are not considered for meeting the 32-hour residency requirement at the University; PLA credits also do not satisfy the transfer credit hour requirement for admission into an accelerated degree program.
PLA must be completed before the student's final semester at 911±¬ÁÏÍø.
All students interested in earning college credits by completing a Prior Learning Portfolio are required to register for the 3 credit hour, PROF 21000 – Learning From Experience: PLA.
A detailed description of Prior Learning Assessment can be found in the 911±¬ÁÏÍø Undergraduate Catalog.
A detailed description of Prior Learning Assessment at the Graduate Level can be found in the page: Earning Degree Credit Outside of Formal Coursework.
For further information, contact Dr. Cynthia Stevens at (815) 834-6938 or CStevens2@lewisu.edu.
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