Prior Learning Assessment

At Mountain State University, you can receive credit for the knowledge, skills and abilities you've gained through life and work experiences. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows you the opportunity to have the learning associated with your work and life experiences evaluated for University credit.

Students formally request to have their prior learning experiences associated with their jobs, training, hobbies, personal interests and life experiences evaluated for its equivalency to specific courses, and/or its ability to satisfy institutional and degree requirements. When possible, we use American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations when evaluating military and corporate training programs.

Students submit a "portfolio" as evidence supporting their request for prior learning credit. A portfolio serves to identify and describe a student's prior learning experiences in light of the courses and other requirements associated with a degree. A faculty member evaluates your portfolio to determine if the content satisfies the course requirements. If sufficient, the portfolio can be formally recognized and placed on a Mountain State University transcript.

The number of hours that can be applied toward the requirements of your degree program through Prior Learning Assessment may be limited. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with their academic advisor and a PLA advisor before beginning to prepare a portfolio.