PLA at TESU

[ROYISAGIRL]

I know PLA doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I wanted to share my experience just incase it helps someone. I've been working on the BA in Environmental Studies at TESU. As most know getting enough credits isn't easy. I wanted to try my hand at PLAing.

First I looked through the TESU PLA database and found four courses that would fit into my degree plan.

I wrote down each requirement and went through MOOCs, webinars, volunteer work, books, etc. That I had already completed to see if any fit the requirements. After that I went through platforms like Coursera, edx, OpenLearn, etc. To see if there were courses that fit the remaining requirements. (You can work on your evidence as you do your papers i.e. taking courses, volunteering, etc.)

Then I looked at the learning outcomes of each course, I broke them down line by line and explained how I knew *insert whatever the outcome is* for this area it literally depends on what the outcome is. I had one that asked me to explain what a certain book was about and a different one that wanted to know the different process of the Nitrogen cycle, so this one may vary greatly.


The easiest part for me was my narrative this is where I was able to tell the story of how I knew the information, where I learned it, and how I could put it all together.

If you don't like writing I wouldn't recommend it. I've heard of portfolios being 30 plus pages whereas my longest was 14 pages with evidence pages and bibliographies. I honestly don't think it's the length that matters, but the fact you can prove you have college level knowledge on the subject.

Again I know it's not one of the best options if you have exams or courses to take, but it is an option.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

[ss20ts]

Thanks for sharing your experience with PLA. I rarely see people take colleges up on the PLA so it's nice to hear what is involved and from someone who was successful with completing the work.

[dfrecore]

I know PLA doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I wanted to share my experience just incase it helps someone. I've been working on the BA in Environmental Studies at TESU. As most know getting enough credits isn't easy. I wanted to try my hand at PLAing.

First I looked through the TESU  PLA database and found four courses that would fit into my degree plan.

I wrote down each requirement and went through MOOCs, webinars, volunteer work, books, etc. That I had already completed to see if any fit the requirements. After that I went through platforms like Coursera, edx, OpenLearn, etc. To see if there were courses that fit the remaining requirements.  (You can work on your evidence as you do your papers i.e. taking courses,  volunteering,  etc.)

Then I looked at the learning outcomes of each course, I broke them down line by line and explained how I knew *insert whatever the outcome is*  for this area it literally depends on what the outcome is. I had one that asked me to explain what a certain book was about and a different one that wanted to know the different process of the Nitrogen cycle, so this one may vary greatly.


The easiest part for me was my narrative this is where I was able to tell the story of how I knew the information, where I learned it, and how I could put it all together.

If you don't like writing I wouldn't recommend it. I've heard of portfolios being 30 plus pages whereas my longest was 14 pages with evidence pages and bibliographies. I honestly don't think it's the length that matters, but the fact you can prove you have college level knowledge on the subject.

Again I know it's not one of the best options if you have exams or courses to take, but it is an option.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Thank you for the info.

You didn't mention if TESU gave you credit for the courses?  If they brought them in as you expected?  Can you give any additional info?

[ROYISAGIRL]

For the pricing which may vary a bit for the PLA 200 course (mandatory 8 week course) depending on your tuition plan i.e. if your military or doing pay per credit that raises the price some. But generally speaking you could get from portfolios alone 12 credits for 32.41 a credit. If you're military it's 250 per credit so 500 for PLA 200. You don't need PLA 100 but I took it anyway. So all together 15 credits at 75.93 a credit.

It's not that bad, but again it's not the cheapest option, but I hope this helps anyone who decides that yes PLA is for me.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

---

I know PLA doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I wanted to share my experience just incase it helps someone. I've been working on the BA in Environmental Studies at TESU. As most know getting enough credits isn't easy. I wanted to try my hand at PLAing.

First I looked through the TESU  PLA database and found four courses that would fit into my degree plan.

I wrote down each requirement and went through MOOCs, webinars, volunteer work, books, etc. That I had already completed to see if any fit the requirements. After that I went through platforms like Coursera, edx, OpenLearn, etc. To see if there were courses that fit the remaining requirements.  (You can work on your evidence as you do your papers i.e. taking courses,  volunteering,  etc.)

Then I looked at the learning outcomes of each course, I broke them down line by line and explained how I knew *insert whatever the outcome is*  for this area it literally depends on what the outcome is. I had one that asked me to explain what a certain book was about and a different one that wanted to know the different process of the Nitrogen cycle, so this one may vary greatly.


The easiest part for me was my narrative this is where I was able to tell the story of how I knew the information, where I learned it, and how I could put it all together.

If you don't like writing I wouldn't recommend it. I've heard of portfolios being 30 plus pages whereas my longest was 14 pages with evidence pages and bibliographies. I honestly don't think it's the length that matters, but the fact you can prove you have college level knowledge on the subject.

Again I know it's not one of the best options if you have exams or courses to take, but it is an option.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Thank you for the info.

You didn't mention if TESU gave you credit for the courses?  If they brought them in as you expected?  Can you give any additional info?

I looked in the database specifically for environmental courses and found 4 I thought would work based on their designation as ENS and one solely in its name of chemistry in the Environment. I talked to my advisor and we put them where they should fit and locked them in.

Edit to add yes they awarded me credit for the courses. The courses I chose were 3 credits each.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

[bjcheung77]

Yo! That's great news! What were the 4 courses? Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

[ROYISAGIRL]

Yo! That's great news! What were the 4 courses? Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

That's the right link. I'll post my courses in a bit I'm at work lol

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app
Environmental Change I and II, Environmental Toxicology, and Chm in th Environment.

[Seagull]

Yo! That's great news!  What were the 4 courses?  Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.  
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

That's the right link. I'll post my courses in a bit I'm at work lol

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Is it only for LL or UL courses?

Do you have to prove the completion of the courses or just list that they exists and you have completed them?

[ROYISAGIRL]

Yo! That's great news!  What were the 4 courses?  Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.  
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

That's the right link. I'll post my courses in a bit I'm at work lol

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Is it only for LL or UL courses?

Do you have to prove the completion of the courses or just list that they exists and you have completed them?

It's for both. You can even do grad credits, but I'm not sure if it's the same process. You have to have some kind of evidence like a certificate, letter of completion, etc. to show you finished it.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

[dfrecore]

It's for both. You can even do grad credits, but I'm not sure if it's the same process. You have to have some kind of evidence like a certificate, letter of completion, etc. to show you finished it.

I thought that a PLA was meant to show that you had the knowledge, not necessarily that you took a course?  So let's say you wanted to PLA "Programming with Java" you don't have to take a Java course, you can show that you know how to do programming, and you don't have to have learned the info from a course.

[ROYISAGIRL]

It's for both. You can even do grad credits, but I'm not sure if it's the same process. You have to have some kind of evidence like a certificate, letter of completion, etc. to show you finished it.

I thought that a PLA was meant to show that you had the knowledge, not necessarily that you took a course?  So let's say you wanted to PLA "Programming with Java" you don't have to take a Java course, you can show that you know how to do programming, and you don't have to have learned the info from a course.

It is to show you have knowledge. You have to prove you have the knowledge though. That can be through lots of ways, from your job, volunteering, a hobby, taking non credit courses, self study through reading, etc. For me it's the combination of all of those. They want you to show some kind of proof of how you learned your information. If it's from reading you need bibliographies, if it's from MOOCs you need certificates, if it's from volunteering or work a letter from the organization or your supervisor and for hobbies pictures and such work.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app