Learning Counts/PLA update

[cookderosa]

Courtney, so you know I've followed most of your progress. This is great news. I'm still in the camp of not loving PLAs, however, in your case it was REALLY helpful especially in music!

[FallingWaters]

I understand. It was the only way for me to finish upper level music courses, however, and so therefore the only way for me to finish my degree.

I'm the perfect candidate for PLA- I have the experience and knowledge to pass the courses. It was easy to videotape my ability and to write the paper... it turned out better than I imagined.

[sanantone]

The cost was $250 per PLA, plus the $120 self-paced course. The instructor led course is more expensive and required more interaction. The self-paced course was not at all helpful; perhaps more about the process would've been explained in the instructor led. Most of my questions were immediately answered via email, however.
I do know the cost has gone up as of December; I believe the new cost is $500 per 12 cr PLA.

They did raise their price making them no longer competitive with TESC. Their instructor-led course went from $500 to $859! The Do-It-Yourself course is still $129. They now only do 3-credit PLAs at $125 each, so it would cost $500 to earn 12 credits. In comparison, TESC's PLA courses will cost a total of $687. The first 12 credits cost $350, and the cost is $200 for every 6 credits thereafter.

[FallingWaters]

I still call that competitive financially, not to mention the time factor. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the two necessary PLA courses at TESC are each a month-long. The self-guided course at LC took about an hour.

[sanantone]

It takes a total of 12 weeks to complete TESC's PLA courses. The one-credit course is 4 weeks, and the two-credit course is 8 weeks.

[DSH2007]

Sorry if this is obvious in the OP, but I just want to confirm: It is possible to get upper level (300/400 credit) from LC PLAs at a cost of $125 per 3-credit course? And TESC will accept them?

[FallingWaters]

Yes, it is possible, depending of course on the course and TESC's determination of its acceptance. All of the courses I PLA'ed with the exception of one 1-credit course, were upper level (300/400). Your best option is to call TESC and ask if they will accept a certain PLA'ed course. You may or may not get a direct answer, depending partly on if you are enrolled or not. When I first asked at TESC, I was not enrolled and they told me there was a good chance my courses would not be accepted. They were.

Yes, I understand that is the current cost (plus the $129 self-directed course).

[FallingWaters]

It takes a total of 12 weeks to complete TESC's PLA courses. The one-credit course is 4 weeks, and the two-credit course is 8 weeks.

Thanks for the correction. That makes it even worse

[SweetSecret]

Thank you for posting this! I had asked about success transferring credits from LC to TESC months ago. I'm in a similar boat and really just need upper level credits. I was thinking of documenting some of my work and dance experience. TESC says they won't take PLAs for any sort of physical education type of classes, but there are tons of videos with my dance performances on YouTube, and it seems to me that those should be able to count towards credit since its documented.

I'm also wanting to get PLA credits for my work in the Human Services industry. I have about 310 hours so far. TESC also says they don't accept PLA credit for internships, however I don't really see why not. For the last 143 hours I've actually been documenting everything I'm doing when I go in, to sort of show what skills I'm using.

I'm hoping to be able to get a load of PLA credits related to women/gender/sexuality studies including relating to sex work and human/sex trafficking.

[Gooberman11]

This is so interesting. We have been trying to figure out if it is possible to use my sister's experience in equine science toward her degree. I haven't looked into TESC's database yet, but I have found upper level equine science courses at a couple of other colleges.
Do you think it would be possible to PLA some UL Equine Science courses and just use them as her UL area of study for a Liberal Studies degree?
I'd love to hear anyone's opinion...