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PLA in Today's World:
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process that gives credit to prior life/work experience through the awarding of college credits for knowledge you have acquired in life and on the job. In essence, PLA is an efficient and flexible way of earning college credits for what you've done and learned outside the college classroom. A PLA program operates on the belief that college-level knowledge, no matter how it is gained, warrants credit. Therefore, almost all areas of learning can be converted into college credits as long as you can demonstrate your knowledge in it.
A PLA program enables candidates to document their knowledge in a prescribed format in order to be awarded college credit. Candidates submit information and materials to a PLA practitioner who serves as the assessor of their expertise. Candidates may draw on skills or knowledge gained from a wide array of sources, such as:
- Full or part-time jobs
- Volunteer work
- Artistic and cultural pursuits
- Independent reading and study
- Military service
- Study abroad
- Membership in organizations
- Training programs or in-service courses
- Hobbies and recreational pastimes
- Religious or community activities
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