Prior Learning Assessment
Frederick Community College prior learning pathways allow students the opportunity to earn credit for college-level learning, thus accelerating their progress toward graduation. Students who participate in the PLA program often save time and money and avoid having to complete courses already mastered so they complete their education goals at a faster rate.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the evaluation of prior college-level learning or experience based learning. Student’s work experiences, workplace training, professional licensure and certifications, military training and service, life experiences, credits earned by standardized testing, and volunteering and community service activities to name a few are often evaluated for PLA credits awards.
How Can I Earn PLA Credit?
FCC offers a variety of options for students to earn prior learning credit.
- Portfolio Assessment
- Institutional Departmental Exams
- Certificate & Licensure Evaluation
- Credit by Examinations CLEP/DSST/IB/AP
- Credit from Workforce Training Programs
- American Council on Education
- National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
- Military Training & Service
Is Prior Learning Assessment Right for you?
- Do you have at least 3 years of post-high school experience?
- Are you comfortable writing?
- Can your work, training, and life experiences be documented and verified?
- Have you completed formal training (in class or online) as part of your employment?
- Have you completed non-credit college courses and/or workshops?
- Have you earned any college credit?
- Have you earned certificates or licensures required for professionals in your field?
- Have you participated extensively in community work or volunteer services?
- Are you a current or former member of the armed forces?
- Have you lived in a foreign country or traveled extensively since high school?
If you have answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions, you may be able to take advantage of the PLA options at FCC.
Prior Learning Assessment Guidelines
To be eligible to earn prior learning credit:
- You must be a student at FCC
- Must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
- If you are petitioning for ‘Portfolio’ or ‘Institutional Departmental Exam’ credit, you must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excludes the PLAC101 course) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit.
OR
- You must be completing a program through reverse transfer.
Any credit awarded will be applied to student’s official program of study. Students should not have previously taken and received credit or attempted the course they are petitioning for credit.
- Students may earn up to 75% of the credits required for a program of study through all Prior Learning Assessment pathways.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credits required for a program at FCC (Residency Requirement).
- A maximum of 15 credits can be earned through ‘Portfolio Assessment’ and ‘Institutional Department Exams.’
Remember: Credit for Prior Learning is not awarded for experience alone, but for a combination of experience and college-level learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PLA Coordinator is your first point of contact to assess your PLA options and to provide appropriate advising.
Many departments offer students the option of challenging a course through a variety of PLA pathways. However, not all courses may be challenged.
Indirectly, yes. Academic credit results from knowledge demonstrated at the college level, and your knowledge may be a result of your work and life experiences. This knowledge may fit the equivalent of a college course taught at Frederick Community College and may meet the requirements of your degree program.
Yes, to be eligible to earn PLA credit through many pathways, you must be a student at FCC and you must declare a major in a degree or certificate program. However, if you are petitioning for ‘Portfolio’ or ‘Institutional Departmental Exam’ credit, you must also be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excluding the PLAC101 course credit) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit or you will be completing a program through reverse transfer.
Students may earn up to 75% (45 credits for degree options) required for a program of study through ‘All’ Prior Learning Assessment pathways. However, a maximum of 15 credits earned through the Portfolio and Institutional Departmental pathways can be used toward an Associate degree or certificate program.
Students must earn at least 25% (15 credits for degree options) of the credits required for a program of study at FCC. PLA pathway credit awards do not count toward the 25% credit requirement.
No, credits earned via PLA at Frederick Community College relate specifically to a course-by course evaluation within programs listed in our catalog and credit may be awarded based on an individual course assessment.
Submission of a PLA application does not guarantee that you will receive credit. FCC faculty and staff will work with you to maximize the possibility of earning academic credit toward your program of study.
Yes, some externally accredited programs and specific FCC programs and courses, clinical, and internships are not eligible to receive Prior Learning credits.
Although an increasing number of private colleges and public universities are accepting PLA credit, not all do. If you are planning to attend another college or university, check the institution’s transfer and PLA policies. The Registrar and the PLA Coordinator at FCC can provide an explanation of your credit to the particular institution.
It depends on which PLA option you plan to use. Students must consult with the PLA Coordinator for advising related to the specific PLA options policies and procedures.
Fees for PLA credit are significantly less than tuition and fees for traditional courses. Financial Aid does not cover PLA credits awarded and students must pay fees and tuition on an out of pocket basis. PLA pathways such as the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), Challenge Exams, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Certification and Licensure, Military Training and Service, ACE and NCCRS evaluations and credit awards are not assessed fees or tuition cost.
Note: All Prior Learning Assessment fees and tuition cost are out of pocket expenses. No financial aid may be used.
Institutional Departmental Exam Fees
Students will be assessed 50% of the current tuition per credit for an Institutional Departmental Exam.
Portfolio Development Course
Students will be required to enroll and complete the PLAC101 course and will be charged the current tuition rate for a one-credit course.
Portfolio Evaluation
Students petitioning for Portfolio Assessment & Evaluation will be assessed 50% of the current tuition for each credit awarded.
No. However, the number of semester credits in which you are enrolled determines part-time or full-time status. Since you do not enroll for a PLA pathway, do not count courses you are attempting through PLA toward part-time or full-time status. For specific information regarding financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 301.846.2480
Students may use Financial Aid for the PLAC101 course only if the course is listed as an open or general elective for the certificate or degree program the student is enrolled in and the student has not exhausted the program’s open/available elective requirements.
The Registrar’s Office will notify you officially as to whether you have earned credit.
Amber Tobery
PLA Coordinator
[email protected]
240.629.7967
Related Links
Amber Tobery
PLA Coordinator
[email protected]
240.629.7967
Related Links