Prior Learning Assessment Options

The PLA office will guide you through the various prior learning assessment options. You can use one or a combination of options to earn KVCC college credit.

Examinations

KVCC Proficiency Exam

Exams developed by individual departments for testing out of specific courses
There is a nonrefundable fee of $30.00 per credit hour requested.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

National standardized testing in selected academic areas.
There is an $80.00 CLEP examination fee in addition to a $20.00 administration fee.

DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)

Standardized tests in various academic and technical subjects.
There is an $80.00 DANTES examination fee in addition to a $20.00 administration fee.

AP (Advanced Placement) Exams

A national standardized test in selected academic areas administered in high school.

IB (International Baccalaureate) Exams

An academically challenging curriculum administered by high schools.

Program Evaluation

Transfer Credit

Formal agreements with schools and organizations recognizing college credit equivalencies.

American Council of Education Guide (ACE)

National directory of military, industrial, business and manufacturing training that has been evaluated and converted to college credit.

Departmental Credit by Evaluation

Recognition of state licenses, certificates and training.
There is a $15.00 processing fee for conversion of prior learning to credit.

Pre Approved Credit Request - For Licensure or Certification

Pre Approved Fire-Science Credit Request - For Licensure or Certification

Portfolio

A prior learning portfolio is a documented summary prepared by the student that gives evidence that college level learning has occurred.  Portfolios demonstrate knowledge related to specific course requirements and competencies. There is a nonrefundable fee of $30.00 per credit hour requested.

Prior Learning Assessment Policy

To be eligible for Prior Learning assessment a student must have a KVCC application on file and be actively seeking a certificate or degree. Before meeting with the PLA Office, a student must first meet with an Academic Counselor to establish a Program of Study. Credit for Prior Learning is only available for courses which are in the student's current Program of Study.

The PLA Office will advise students of the PLA options and help them select which assessment option is best. The PLA Office will uphold PLA policies and coordinate the process between the student, Faculty, and the Admissions, Registration and Records Office.

KVCC follows the academic standards of the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) when assessing prior learning experience:

• The determination of competence levels and credit awards will be made by academic experts in the field of the specific subject matter.
• Prior learning credit is awarded for college level learning not for experience.
• Knowledge learned must have a balance, appropriate to the subject, between theory and application.
• Prior learning credit is appropriate to the academic context in which it is accepted.

Prior learning credit may be specific course credit, an elective credit in a specific area or it may be a general elective. Program requirements should be reviewed to determine how PLA credits will apply toward graduation.

Successful completion of a portfolio or proficiency exam will result in appropriate course credit posted to the student's transcript.  A credit grade (CR) will be awarded for proficiency exams and a numeric grade will be assigned for portfolios evaluated at a 2.0 or better grade level.

PLA credit will be awarded by semester based on when the completed portfolio is submitted or the proficiency exam is requested. The semester the credit is earned will be determined following the time frame listed below.

Submission Dates

Fall Semester: July 1 - October 31
Winter Semester: November 1 - March 31
Summer Semester: April 1 - June 30

*Additional time should be allowed for awarding PLA credits during the Summer semester because assessment is dependent on the availability of evaluators.

Students will be allowed up to 45 prior learning credits toward an Associates Degree and up to 15 prior learning credits for a Certificate. Students must complete 15 credit hours of registered classes at KVCC to be awarded a Certificate or Associates Degree.

The credits awarded are granted toward a KVCC degree. KVCC does not guarantee the credits awarded through the prior learning assessment method will transfer to other institutions. All institutions reserve the right to review credits to determine how awarded credits apply at their own institution.

Steps to Apply for Credit for Prior Learning

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process begins with a meeting between the student and the PLA office. The initial conversation will focus on the various methods of awarding prior learning credit. A determination will be made whether the student is eligible for college credit through one or more of the options available. When appropriate, the student will be asked to fill out the PLA request form to begin the process.

"Compiling a portfolio was actually an affirming experience for me. I gathered together certificates from all the training I'd received over the years, then listed in detail the multitude of experience I'd gained through different jobs I'd held. When I compared those things to the outline for the class I was seeking credit for, I felt certain that I would be awarded the credit I needed. The Prior Learning Assessment Office made things very easy for me - providing a variety of resources and tips on what to include in the portfolio."
- Jennifer M.

Select a category below to review the specific steps for each method:

• Examinations
• Program Evaluation
• Portfolio

When the evaluation process for each method is successfully completed, the PLA credits will be posted to the student's transcript. Written notification will be provided to the student when everything has been finalized.