Have you ever sat in a class and thought, “Geez, I learned this stuff on the job ten years ago” or “Wow, I know this from my volunteer work with the town council; I wish I could just skip this class and learn something new.”?
Wouldn’t it be nice to earn college credit for what you have learned through life experience?
Prior Learning Assessment programs allow students to demonstrate mastery of college level learning for credit toward your degree. There are several methods by which students can demonstrate their learning. The two most popular methods are national testing programs, such as CLEP and DANTES exams, and by portfolio. There are pros and cons to each method depending on the nature of the learning and the individual student. Either method helps students save time and money!
Testing programs allow students to demonstrate knowledge in a variety of areas, including general education subjects that are required in most degree programs. Naturally, the subjects are limited and usually cover learning that would take place at the freshman or sophomore level. Students who possess good test taking skills can be very successful.
More on the Portfolio Method
The portfolio allows students to demonstrate higher level learning or learning in subjects that are not available for testing. The portfolio method is also a good alternative for students who are “test-phobic”. Many institutions offer courses or workshops to help students learn to develop a portfolio. Most portfolios include an autobiography and/or a resume, a narrative section in which the student writes about what he/she has learned, how the learning took place, how it has been applied, and documentation to support the narrative. Documentation might include letters from employers, training certificates, or even work products. The process can be writing intensive, but most students find it enjoyable and discover that they know even more than they had previously thought.
If you have life experience which has led to college level learning, it may be time to look into Prior Learning Assessment.
By Tedi Thompson-Magrini Associate VP/Prior Learning Assessment at American Public University System
By: Liz Jackson PLA Manager/Advisor at American Public University System
1. Identify prior learning
One way to identify prior learning is to make a list of all the things you have learned since you graduated from high school. List the activity, what you did, and what you learned. Create the personal learning inventory using any method that is comfortable and convenient for you, such as an Excel spreadsheet or Word chart as shown below.
Did you know that college level learning can be translated into academic credit towards a degree? If you’re thinking of going back to school, or you’re in the process of applying consider a prior learning assessment. Not sure what prior learning is or how it can be used then sift through these questions, and if you find they apply to you this podcast will answer any doubts you had about the process.
How can students earn college credit for what they have previously earned?
Can learning really result from any experience? We aren’t just talking about on-the-job training?
How can prior learning assessment help college students?
What types of assessment tools are available to students?
What is involved in the portfolio?
I interviewed Tedi Thompson-Magrini, an expert in the field of non-traditional learning, about this process. Her thoughts and expertise are in the podcast below.
There are two things that most folks going back to school worry about: the time it will take to finish and the money it will cost. One easy way you can save on both time and money is by taking CLEP.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 examinations. In some cases you can also earn credit for knowledge you’ve acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships.
CLEP policies vary widely from school to school – for example, some colleges may limit the total amount of credit you can earn through CLEP exams, or some may grant exemption from a course, but give no credit toward a degree, etc.- so before registering for a CLEP exam, be sure to check with your school to determine which exams are accepted and how much credit they will give you. If you are earning an accelerated degree online, be sure to discuss this matter with your advisor or enrollment counselor.
Have you ever sat in a class and thought, “Geez, I learned this stuff on the job ten years ago” or “Wow, I know this from my volunteer work with the town council; I wish I could just skip this class and learn something new.”?
