Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
What is Prior Learning Assessment?
Prior Learning Assessment is the evaluation of college-level or experience-based learning that an individual has achieved outside of traditional classroom environment that can be used to demonstrate college-level learning for academic credit awards.
What are the Benefits of Prior Learning?
Students who participate in the Prior Leaning Assessment program save time and money and avoid having to complete courses already mastered, completing their education goals at a higher rate.
Prior Learning Eligibility
You must be a student at FCC, have earned a high school diploma or GED, and must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
If you are requesting ‘Portfolio’ or ‘Institutional Departmental Exam’ credit.
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excluding the PLAC 101 course) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit.
Or
- You must be completing a program through reverse transfer.
Prior Learning Guidelines
- Students may earn up to 75% required for a program of study through all Prior Learning Assessments pathways.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credits required for a program at FCC.
- A maximum of 15 credits can be earned through ‘Portfolio Assessment’.
Discover the Value of Your Experience
PLA is specific to each individual’s learning history. Please consult Dr. Renee Davis (Phone 301-846-2587) to discuss what’s needed for you to receive credit for your prior learning experience. View specific information for different learning types below.
Evaluation methods for your experience
Frederick Community College (FCC) maintains a number of methods to evaluate prior experience. Learn more about specific industry, credential, and testing options below.
Portfolio Assessment
A Portfolio evaluation is a course-by-course evaluation where students show that the knowledge gained through experience is equivalent to college-level learning and course learning outcomes.
Students must be able to identify and document all experiences and learning. A student’s prior learning portfolio is a collection of materials or artifacts compiled to demonstrate college-level learning relevant to their academic program of study.
Students will be required to enroll and complete the Prior Learning Assessment Course (PLAC101) and will be assessed the current tuition rate for a one-credit course.
Additionally, students who request a Portfolio evaluation will be assessed 50% of the current tuition per credit awarded.
Building Trades |
Hospitality & Culinary |
Computer Aided Design |
Construction Management |
Human Services |
Information Technology |
Business Management |
Early Childhood |
Healthcare Administration |
Personal Trainer |
Emergency Management |
Accounting |
Portfolio Development & Assessment Eligibility
- You must be a student at FCC, enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excluding the PLAC 101 course credit) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit or you are completing a program through reverse transfer.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
- Students must have received credit for EN101 earning at least a ‘C’ or have the requirement waived by the PLA Coordinator.
- Students must have a minimum of 3 years of experiential learning outside of the classroom in an applicable field of study.
- Students must identify the courses being pursued for credit.
- Students should not have previously taken and received credit or attempted the course petitioning for credit.
Institutional Departmental Exams
Frederick Community College recognizes that students come to us having obtained college-level learning in a specific subject area and having mastered course content and learning outcomes for various courses. Students can earn college credit by taking comprehensive exams in lieu of taking the actual course. Taking an exam for credit is one of the most affordable ways to accelerate degree completion. This option is available only if a CLEP or DSST standardized exam for the subject is not available.
Note: This is not a Challenge Exam, which is used for appropriate placement in a course. Please contact your Program Manager or Department Chair for more information.
Students will be assessed 50% of the current tuition for any credits awarded for successful completion of any Institutional Departmental Exam.
Institutional Departmental Exam Eligibility
- You must be a student at FCC, enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excluding the PLAC 101 course credit) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit or you are completing a program through reverse transfer.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
- Students must meet with the PLA Coordinator for advising.
- Students must identify the courses being pursued for credit and complete a Prior Learning Assessment application.
Certification & Licensure Evaluation
Frederick Community College accepts many industry-standard certificates and licensures for college credit. Specific programs have certificate and licensure evaluation opportunities for credit awards. Please contact your Program Manager for additional information.
FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for Certificate & Licensure evaluations and credit awards.
Certificate & Licensure Eligibility
- You must be a student at FCC, enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credits (excluding the PLAC 101 course credit) in the same semester you are pursuing PLA credit.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
Credit by Examinations
CLEP and DSST Pathway
Exams are national credit-by-examination programs providing individuals the opportunity to receive credit for college-level achievement acquired in a variety of ways. General examinations are available in many different subject areas. CLEP & DSST Eligibility
International Baccalaureate (IB) Pathway
Students who have engaged in college-level study in high school through an International Baccalaureate (IB) program can obtain credit toward an FCC certificate or degree. FCC will evaluate IB subject area examinations.
Advanced Placement (AP) Pathway
Subject matter exams sponsored by the Educational Testing Service are generally administered through high schools at the culmination of AP course offerings. The program provides a practical way for high school students to receive advanced standing credit in college for college-level courses completed in high school. Students who have completed college work in high school under AP programs are eligible to receive college credit based on their exam scores
FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for any Credit by Examination evaluations and any credit awarded.
Credit by Examination Eligibility
- You must be a student at FCC.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program
American Council on Education (ACE)
ACE offers Credit Recommendation Services and is a resource that connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping adults gain access to academic credit for formal course evaluations acquired outside the traditional classroom setting. Credit may be granted for educational programs that have been completed successfully at non-college institutions and applied to a student’s program of study. ACE also evaluates military training and experience.
FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or award of ACE credits.
ACE Eligibility
- You must be a student at FCC.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program
National College Credit Recommendation Service
NCCRS evaluates training and education programs offered outside of the traditional college classroom setting provided by industry, state and federal government employers, professional organizations and other agencies and translates them into college credit equivalencies.
FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or award of NCCRS credits.
NCCRS Eligibility
- To be eligible to earn PLA credit, you must be a student at FCC.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
Military Training & Services
FCC will evaluate Military Training and Service and award credit where applicable. The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and Joint Services Transcripts (JST) are issued to Air Force (CCAF), Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy personnel and documents their military training, experience, and service. Some military education and/or training may be eligible for credit.
FCC does not assess any fees or tuition for the evaluation or award of Military Training and Service credits.
Military Training and Service Eligibility
- To be eligible to earn PLA credit, you must be a student at FCC.
- Students must declare a major in a degree or certificate program.
Convert Workforce Credentials to Academic Credit
Many credentials earned through Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) courses can be transitioned to academic credits. Advance your career by receiving credits that can be applied toward a degree, certificate, or transfer program.
Learn More