Prior Learning Assessment
At Mission University, we recognize that learning takes place both inside and outside college classrooms, and we understand that what you have learned is more important than where or how you learned it. Since adult learners can attain college-level knowledge in many ways, we offer the opportunity to earn college credit based on your previous training and experience.
Students may earn college credit by submitting a comprehensive PLA portfolio
PLA credit requests may be submitted via a PLA Portofolio for up to 20% of a given degree (a maximum of 12 credit hours for associate-level, or a maximum of 24 credit hours for bachelor-level). In most cases, PLA credit is used for elective or general education credits.
PLA credit may come from a number of different sources, such as:
- Work Experience
- Military Training
- Professional Training (e.g., seminars, workshops, non-credit or in-service classes, training programs, etc.)
- Standardized Exams (e.g., CLEP exams through the College Board, DSST military exams through Prometric, etc.)
- Licensure Exams
- Open-source learning from the web and other independent study
- ACE and National College Credit
- Recommendation Services
- Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Exams
- Challenge or Departmental Exams
- Institutional review of external training, licenses, or certifications
- Community Activiti
PLA credit may come from a number of different sources, such as:
- Work Experience
- Military Training
- Professional Training (e.g., seminars, workshops, non-credit or in-service classes, training programs, etc.)
- Standardized Exams (e.g., CLEP exams through the College Board, DSST military exams through Prometric, etc.)
- Licensure Exams
- Open-source learning from the web and other independent study
- ACE and National College Credit
- Recommendation Services
- Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Exams
- Challenge or Departmental Exams
- Institutional review of external training, licenses, or certifications
- Community Activities
PLA Portfolio
The PLA portfolio is the careful process of documenting the knowledge and skills gained through prior learning. To document such learning, students are required to prepare a comprehensive portfolio according to specific instructions including substantial evidence of such learning. The College evaluates and grants appropriate credit for the student’s prior learning from the sources provided above along with the evidence supplied in the student’s PLA portfolio. The PLA team, faculty, and a CAEL certified third-party reviewer assess each portfolio and recommend credits to be awarded.
Students interested in seeking PLA credit should complete our free PLA Self-Assessment. Once you complete the Self-Assessment, within 2 business days, a member of our PLA team will contact you regarding the results of your self-assessment and the applicable next steps. If approved, you may submit a PLA portfolio for review.
Students should be aware that although they may have earned particular certifications outside of a traditional classroom within a specific discipline, academic credit may not always be awarded when college standards are applied. Any earned credits will be posted to the student’s academic record in the semester in which credit is awarded and are non-transferable. Credits earned through the PLA program cannot be duplicated through any other mechanism for earning credit.
PLA Portfolio submissions should include the following:
- Personal biography including work experience, training, and education (1-3 pages).
- Biblical worldview integration perspective (1 page).
- Course(s) for which the student is seeking PLA credit.
- Course Learning Outcomes (CLO’s) listed for each course for which credit is being requested with a paragraph detailing how the student substantially meets each CLO based upon work experience, training, education, etc. (Recommend providing two or three points for each CLO).
- Supporting documentation and evidence (certificates, licenses, awards, examination scoresheets, job descriptions, transcripts, etc.).
PLA Portfolio submissions should include the following:
- Personal biography including work experience, training, and education (1-3 pages).
- Biblical worldview integration perspective (1 page).
- Course(s) for which the student is seeking PLA credit.
- Course Learning Outcomes (CLO’s) listed for each course for which credit is being requested with a paragraph detailing how the student substantially meets each CLO based upon work experience, training, education, etc. (Recommend providing two or three points for each CLO).
- Supporting documentation and evidence (certificates, licenses, awards, examination scoresheets, job descriptions, transcripts, etc.).
Cost
There is a $100.00 portfolio fee due at the time of portfolio submission. This fee covers the PLA team, faculty review work, and third-party CAEL certified reviewer for the portfolio submission. The PLA team will advise students on their portfolio, and students may provide one draft to the PLA team for faculty review and feedback prior to final submission to the third-party CAEL certified reviewer.
There is a $100.00 transcription fee per credit hour of PLA credit awarded.
CAEL
Mission University & Theological Seminary is a member institution of the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL).
