Credit for Life Experience
Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a systematic process by which School of Adult Learning (SAL) students may earn academic credit at North Park University. College-level learning is awarded when the student is able to demonstrate learning, whether from informal life experience, professional training, certification, licensure, or any other source.
- PLA projects should closely match courses or topics taught at North Park University
- PLA fulfills mostly elective credit and some general-education requirements
- PLA credit cannot duplicate credits transferred into or completed at North Park University
- PLA credit is available only to currently enrolled SAL students
PLA credit is earned because you are able to demonstrate the learning that occurred as a result of an experience, not just because of the experience. Depending on what type of experience you are using as the basis for your request, we will work with you to select the best format for your written submission.
Types of PLA Projects
Credit by Examination
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is an organization that provides standardized tests for certain subject areas, all of which are listed on their website. CLEP offers exams in subjects like literature, composition, math, and foreign language that can be used to meet general-education requirements or elective credit. However, not all CLEP exams have been approved to meet North Park University's general-education requirements. Check with the PLA Coordinator for specific details. Other forms of examination, particularly in languages other than English, are also available.
License or Certificate
A second option for earning PLA credit is through license or certificate. This option is appropriate for someone who has already completed some kind of specialized training or attended seminars or workshops.
Credit by Essay
The final PLA option available to students is to demonstrate learning through an experiential-learning essay. This essay, structured according to David A. Kolb’s four-part model of the learning cycle, demonstrates a student’s learning by building from concrete experiences to more formal theories or general concepts.
PLA Procedures at North Park
- Students interested in PLA meet with the PLA Coordinator to discuss possible PLA topics.
- The student determines which type of PLA to pursue and the number of credit hours for which to petition.
- The PLA Coordinator identifies and contacts a faculty evaluator in the appropriate field.
- The student works independently to complete the chosen PLA project.
- The final draft of the project is submitted to the PLA Coordinator.
- The faculty evaluator reviews the project and decides the credit award. (In some cases, the faculty evaluator may suggest revisions or additions to the project before approving the credit award.)
- The student is billed for the PLA fees for the credits and the North Park Records Office adds PLA credit to the student’s transcript.
Advanced Placement and Military Credit
Additional ways to earn credit are available for students who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school or who have served in the military. Official transcripts for that work should be sent to North Park so that it can be added to your transcript. The PLA coordinator can give you details about this process.
PLA Coordinator
Contact Patricia McCanna by email or by phone at (773) 244-5767.