POLICY 04:05:00

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

1. Purpose
   The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the awarding of credit to students for learning experiences gained outside the traditional classroom. Detailed information regarding the various types of PLA and instructions for applying may be found on the Prior Learning Assessment website.
2. Definition
   Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process by which learning mastered outside of a formal classroom is reviewed for college-level equivalency. Credit for PLA may be granted for learning acquired from work and life experiences; civic, community, orvolunteer work; individual study; and in-service training sponsored by associations, business, government, and industry, including the military. PLA is the evaluation and assessment of an individual’s life learning for college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education or training.
3. Policy
   1. PLA is evaluated on the amount and type of learning that a student can demonstrate has occurred. Credit will be awarded for Pellissippi state courses based on correlation of student achievement with stated course learning outcomes.Emphasis is placed on the satisfactory presentation of the student’s achievement relative to the student learning outcomes stated on the master syllabus for the course.
   2. Students admitted to Pellissippi State may obtain advanced standing and course credit through the following:
      1. CLEP (College-Level Examination Program). Pellissippi State recognizes and accepts credit derived from general and subject area examinations of the College Board.
      2. DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) credit by exam program. DSST tests are used to award college credit to students who can demonstrate knowledge of subjects commonly taught in introductory college courses.
      3. Advanced Placement (AP) test. Pellissippi State offers course credit for successful completion of AP examinations administered by the CEEB to high school students.
      4. Military service. Pellissippi State grants credit for appropriate educational experiences in the armed services in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Services.
      5. Extra-institutional learning. Pellissippi State may award credit for extra- institutional learning, such as technical certificates, industry recognizedcredentials, licensures and apprenticeships, according to the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs.
      6. CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) examination. Students passing the CAP examination are granted credit at Pellissippi State for certain courses that will apply to a certificate or degree.
      7. Credit by examination. Credential-seeking, enrolled students with a minimum high school or college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 may apply for credit by examination; students who do not meet this requirement shall not be permitted to take an examination for credit . A student who has previously received a grade in a course may not apply for credit by examination, and a student can attempt an examination for any course only once.
      8. Dual Credit. Dual credit is a process by which students may earn college credit for high school courses. The courses are taught by high school faculty after being developed in conjunction with Pellissippi State faculty (local dual credit) or by statewide committees of high school and college faculty (statewide dual credit).
      9. Life experience. Credential-seeking, enrolled students may apply for credit for life experience. Credit for life experience may be petitioned for courses for which credit cannot feasibly be granted by other means, such as advanced placement, CLEP, credit by examination or
         transfer credit.Awarding of Credit. Credit may beawarded when students apply for admission and provide officialtranscripts. PLA is awarded as a P grade. Students must request credit for extra-institutional learning, credit by exam, and credit for life experience; and they must schedule CLEP, DSST, and other types of exams and/or complete a portfolio for review. Credit for dual credit courses is awarded after an assessment that is reviewed by a Pellissippi State faculty member or the student completes a statewide challenge exam.

Sources: TBR Policy 2.01.00.04 Awarding Credits Earned through Extra-Institutional LearningTBR Policy 2.01.00.06 Articulation and TransferTBR Recommended Standards in Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy and Practice

Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, January 25, 2021
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., January 25, 2021
Review/Recommended: College Council, March 3, 2025
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., March 3, 2025