PLA through Learningcounts.org to TESC

[publius2k4]

I know it's expensive, but has anybody recently done the PLA through learningcounts.org and applied it to either of the Big 3? I'm considering challenging several credits through the PLA program and was just curious about it's recent applicability. Thanks!

[kellen1]

I am wondering the same thing .How many portfolios do students submit to TESC ?

[pinedajose421]

That is a great question.... I'm wondering the same thing.

I messaged LearningCounts but never heard back.

Any student/alum at TESC know?

[af2012]

I haven't done any PLAs through Learningcounts but I have completed 2 PLAs at TESC and am working on a third now. It's really not that bad. Just pick a PLA through TESC's PLA database found here Thomas Edison State College: Course Offerings. Don't pick a topic you know nothing about, the point here is to get college credit for what you already know. For example, I've been in the process of writing a fiction novel for a few years, so I picked the Advanced Fiction Writing and Science Fiction PLAs. Wrote my papers (28 pages for the Adv. Fiction Writing and 15 pages in the Science Fiction) in each and attached samples of my writing as proof. I passed both PLAs. If you have any questions on what you can take, read over the PLA section on TESC's website Thomas Edison State College: PLA Self-Assessment Guide or call the TESC PLA staff. I found them to be very helpful in trying to determine if a PLA was right for me or not. Their phone number is at the bottom of the self assessment guide webpage.

Good luck!

Amy

[sanantone]

Actually, it doesn't sound expensive at all. To start, if you choose the self-paced option, you can earn up to 12 credits for $379. After that, you can submit additional portfolios worth up to 12 credits for $250. The way they make it sound, if a faculty member approves your PLA, you automatically get the credit transcribed by ACE. So, even though LearningCounts doesn't have a list of courses that are pre-approved by ACE, all of your approved portfolios will come with ACE recommendations. LearningCounts.org was created by ACE, The College Board, and CAEL. If these portfolios automatically come with ACE recommendations, this would be a much cheaper way of doing PLAs at TESC. TESC charges over $200 per credit for its own PLA courses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl...FumafPnDiU

I'm going to send them an email or give them a call for clarification.

[kellen1]

I haven't done any PLAs through Learningcounts but I have completed 2 PLAs at TESC and am working on a third now. It's really not that bad. Just pick a PLA through TESC's PLA database found here Thomas Edison State College: Course Offerings. Don't pick a topic you know nothing about, the point here is to get college credit for what you already know. For example, I've been in the process of writing a fiction novel for a few years, so I picked the Advanced Fiction Writing and Science Fiction PLAs. Wrote my papers (28 pages for the Adv. Fiction Writing and 15 pages in the Science Fiction) in each and attached samples of my writing as proof. I passed both PLAs. If you have any questions on what you can take, read over the PLA section on TESC's website Thomas Edison State College: PLA Self-Assessment Guide or call the TESC PLA staff. I found them to be very helpful in trying to determine if a PLA was right for me or not. Their phone number is at the bottom of the self assessment guide webpage.

Good luck!

Amy

See that's the point .A lot of credits for less money . But if you do multiple portfolios , you have to choose a different topic right ? Do the big 3 accept those accredited credits from learningcounts ?

[sanantone]

LearningCounts.org said that their credit recommendations automatically go on an ACE transcript. This is awesome! This is a lot cheaper than going through TESC's PLA process. Since the credit recommendations are on an ACE transcript, it's almost a guarantee that the Big 3 will accept them if the credit recommendations line up with courses they give credit for. If you can max out on 12 credits for each PLA, then this would be cheaper than taking CBEs.

[pinedajose421]

See that's the point .A lot of credits for less money . But if you do multiple portfolios , you have to choose a different topic right ? Do the big 3 accept those accredited credits from learningcounts ?

Nope! LearningCounts does not make restrictions on that. You can submit as many portfolios as you like in one area of study.

Excelsior and TESC are listed as Partner Universities. In fact, Excelsior's PLA evaluation is done through LearningCounts.

Prior Learning Assessment - excelsior.edu

[bsinsc]

I did it about 18 months ago with learning counts. I worked well for me. I did get a scholarship based on need from them so it didn't cost me anything. I went through their program and wrote portfolios for 3 classes so ended up with 9 credits. I'll be glad to answer any questions. canteyhunter@gmail.com

[sanantone]

What are the expectations for the portfolios? I can't find an example anywhere. I can't even find online reviews outside of the video ones posted on Learning Counts' YouTube channel.