PLA Policy

Seattle Colleges recognizes several methods by which students may receive college credit outside of the traditional program of class attendance, referred to as Prior Learning. The following options (Prior Learning Challenge Exam; Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio; State, Industry, or Professional Association Training; and Work Experience) are all considered types of credit for Prior Learning. These options provide several avenues for students to get credit for the knowledge that they learned from working or taking industry exams on their own.

  1. Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio
  2. State, Industry or Professional Association Approved Training
  3. Work Experience
  4. Prior Learning Challenge Exam

A maximum of 25 percent of the required credits in any program of study may come from the credit for prior learning options. Prior Learning may be used to meet any appropriate graduation requirements. Prior Learning credit must be approved by the appropriate department chair, following initial approval and coordination by the designated departmental faculty member. Student must have completed at least one course within 4 years at NSC and must be in good academic and financial standing with the college to qualify for PLA. Grades are assessed for PLA and may include S/U grades. There is a flat fee assessed per course. Students who do not receive a passing grade through the PLA process will need to enroll, attend, and pass the traditional course to receive credit and a letter grade.

PLA Procedure

  1. Student meets with designated faculty member or coordinator at the appropriate department to seek initial approval, discuss options, and review Prior Learning Assessment Application Form.
  2. The designated faculty member/coordinator and the student fill out the preliminary information on the Prior Learning Assessment Application Form and sign. Assessment will not be completed until after proof of payment.
  3. Student brings the application form to the Cashier’s office to pay for nonrefundable Prior Learning Assessment fee. Workforce Training students should first see Financial Aid office with the form.

Fee is $100per course.

  1. Student shows proof of paymentfrom the Cashier’s Office to designated faculty member before assessment begins.
  2. Faculty member assesses materials for Prior Learning. The evaluation process may take up to8 weeks. Appropriate methods of evaluation are determined at the division level.
  3. Faculty member submits completed Assessment Form with final results, date, and signature to Division Dean for review.
  4. Division Dean submits finalized PLA Assessment Form, signed and dated, directly to the Registrar in alignment with standard grade submission deadlines for each quarter. Late applications will be processed for the following quarter.
  5. The Registrar transcribes course to student’s transcripts. Credits earned will carry a grade, as assigned by faculty. A grade of “S” does not impact GPA.

Application for Prior Learning Assessment

Name: ______Student ID # ______

Please PrintLast First MI

Student Email Address: ______

(Student: Please also update contact information at )

Quarter / Course ID / Course Title / Credits / Grade Option
Indicate if evaluating for a letter grade or for S/U? / Fees Paid
Faculty Initials
Include Receipt or Cashier Stamp
Type of Evaluation
______/ Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio
______/ National, State, Industry, or Professional Association Approved Training
______/ Work Experience
______/ Prior Learning Challenge Exam
______/ Other (explain):______

This application, including receipt of the nonrefundable Prior Learning Assessment fee, does not guarantee credit will be given. All materials must be evaluated by the designated faculty member to determine that all course outcomes are met. Prior Learning Assessments may take up to 8 weeks to complete, once requested. Only 25% of required credits in a program are allowed to be Prior Learning credit. If a passing grade is not earned, the traditional course must be taken and passed to earn credit and a letter grade.

I have reviewed the Prior Learning Assessment policy.

______

Student Signature Date

I have reviewed the Prior Learning Assessment policy with this student.

______

Authorized Faculty Signature Date

Final Evaluation of Prior Learning Assessment

All signatures are required. This evaluation form is due at the time final grades are due for the quarter. All payment arrangements are coordinated at the division level.

Faculty Evaluator

Comments:

I have evaluated prior learning documents for this student and give authorization for the indicated credit(s) to be granted with a ______Grade.

______

Authorized Faculty Signature Date

------

Division Dean

Comments:

I have reviewed this application and give authorization for the above credit(s) to be granted with the above grade, as assigned by the reviewing faculty.

______

Division Dean Signature Date

------

Registrar

Comments:

______

Registrar Signature Date of final application approval

Transcribed to student transcript on ______by ______