Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio
Portfolio Completion and Submission
- Students will complete the “Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Application” form
- Students' will include the following elements in their PLA portfolio submission(s):
- Cover Sheet – This should include the student’s name, address, contact information, and the course code and title for which the PLA portfolio was created.
- Summary – This is a brief explanation of why experiences are equal to the college-level credit requested. Students will relate how their learning/experience aligns with the objectives from the course syllabus. (There is a suggested length of 1 page.)
- Items of Evidence– Items of evidence will show that students understand both the theories and applications of the discipline.
Documentation may include:
- Resume
- Job descriptions from company/organization website
- Letters of recommendation
- Letters of verification
- Annual or promotion evaluations
- Professional licenses
- Professional certifications
- Proof of membership in professional/trade organizations
- Military records and trainings completed
- Commendations and awards
- Non-collegiate or continuing education courses (Include course descriptions, learning objectives, syllabi, etc.)
- In-service trainings/workshops/conferences
- Transcripts
- Diplomas
- Books published
- Patents held
- Machines designed
- Conference presentations given
- Grant proposals
- Other suitable evidence or special accomplishmentsBibliography with any sources used/referenced in documentation.
Evaluation Process and Credit Award
- Students will submit complete PLA portfolio(s) electronically to the appropriate department chair who will submit it to the faculty evaluator.
- PLA portfolios must be submitted no fewer than six months before a student’s planned graduation date.
- The faculty evaluator has four to six weeks to complete the evaluation. Evaluators may ask for more information, additional documentation, or for an interview with the student before a final determination is made. Evaluations may take longer than six weeks, depending on these circumstances.
- After the faculty evaluator determines the credit award, they will submit the PLA portfolio and the completed PLA Portfolio Assessment form to the Office of the University Registrar.
- Students will receive a copy of the completed PLA Portfolio Assessment form with the final number of credits awarded.
- Letter grades are not awarded for PLA portfolios – a “P” designation only is given. The semester hours awarded will appear on a student’s transcript after the next grade report. No record is made if credits are not awarded.
- There is a $100.00 nonrefundable portfolio evaluation fee that is charged per portfolio. A separate PLA portfolio must be developed for each approved course.
- The fee for PLA portfolio credits is $75.00 PER CREDIT awarded.
- The process of submitting a portfolio for evaluation in no way guarantees a credit award. If a student is not satisfied with the evaluation, they have the right to request a meeting with the faculty evaluator(s). The final decision in all matters relating to the granting of academic credit rests with the faculty evaluator(s).
General Tips and Notes:
Portfolios should be thorough, easy to navigate, and have a professional appearance.
A portfolio is considered “public information” within the university staff/faculty. If there is confidential information that needs to be included, students should notify their advisor prior to portfolio submission.