Prior learning credits...

[cbrchris]

>>

You can search for it here- there was someone a while back (sorry I can't recall his screen name) who tested out/PLA of many music credits at his community college. (which were transcripted, and then forwarded to his college). Search under: guitar

I think you are referring to barcotta - http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...leges.html

[StudyPal]

I understand they are not easy. I need to do PLA in certain subjects that do not have exams and I want that concentration.
I am just wondering if one program maybe easier to work through (more support, higher acceptance rate) than another.

I had not luck with the search for guitar.

>>

You can search for it here- there was someone a while back (sorry I can't recall his screen name) who tested out/PLA of many music credits at his community college. (which were transcripted, and then forwarded to his college). Search under: guitar

I don't think I'd use the word "easy" or any of its forms relating to PLAs. In my opinion, if the college offers a class, your chance of doing a successful PLA is like getting snow in Texas....It "could" happen... You can bet that the teaching faculty will absolutely be a part of the decision process, and this decreases your likelihood to nearly nil (again, in my opinion).

I think (like Linda said above) that the best chance of a PLA is to find an obscure subject offered by another college and PLA using that description.
After taking all that into account, you could be spending a lot of time and money for nothing. Make sure the credit will be liberal arts - not career credit/applied/technology/occupational. (which is available for FREE through FEMA) I had 63 credits that I could have tried to PLA. Sounds great- until you do the math.
#1. They all would have been ultimately classified as applied science credit (free elective)
#2. BA degrees have caps on free elective credit, mine was 27.
#3. FEMA offers 27 credits for free, yet 27 PLA credits would cost $4300 to attempt.
Hummmm. Easy decision.

If you think you have liberal arts credit (math, science, humanities, social science) at or above the 100 level, that isn't available through CLEP/DSST, and isn't taught as a class at your local college where you are attempting to PLA, where you can put in 10-20 hours of portfolio preparation time, you have the resources to track down written proof and verification of every single objective in the course model that you claim to have already met, and you are willing to pay full price tuition up front with the full understanding that they could say "no" anyway....then you have full disclosure and you should go forward.

[Lindagerr]

:confused: Jennifer you are being very discouraging here. I know you work in a college so I would love some clarification, before I get down about this.

I have worked in a chemical lab for over 30 years, the last 20 years in one lab. I had the luck of working for one wonderful gentleman who never threw anything out. I can show copies of papers I helped write and actual machine charts I have run over the years. I am hoping to use these to show my proficiency in Chemical analysis and instumentation.

Do you think I will have a hard time getting credit with this level of proof?
There is no other way I can think of to get credit for all of my experience.

These credits would be upper level in my area of study which is Natural Science and Math.

I would appreciate your opinion on this because I don't want to invest the time and money in this if it has little chance of success.

[cookderosa]

Jennifer you are being very discouraging here. I know you work in a college so I would love some clarification, before I get down about this.>>

Linda, I'm sorry, not my intent!!!!!! PLA fits some situations, I might have been feeling spicy when I wrote my post


<<Do you think I will have a hard time getting credit with this level of proof?
There is no other way I can think of to get credit for all of my experience.

These credits would be upper level in my area of study which is Natural Science and Math.

I would appreciate your opinion on this because I don't want to invest the time and money in this if it has little chance of success.>>

If you have proof, you should be good. Really though, do have your TESC advisor help you.

[cookderosa]

Yes Chris!! It was Barcotta that did it, thanks for that find!!!!! (sorry, the brain is starting to go, I have a teenager now)

[Sam]

Hi Linda,

As adults learners we bring a lot of experience to the table. It's smart to explore all the different/creative avenues for obtaining undergrad and even grad level credits. So far I've only researched this by doing full Internet searches and pm'ing several people on different forums about how to get plus credit...But like you mentioned, I haven't run into anyone who didn't get credit for the PLA they attempted.

From your posted work experience it sounds like you might know more on the subject at hand than some of the mentors teaching in your field! You sound like a good candidate for PLA if you have documentation of your experience on hand and easily accessible. Meaning, like the others said, PLA wouldn't be worth it if you had to put in a ton of time tracking down documentation and signatures if you could find a test out option that was easier. If I were you I'd call an advisor and ask where your experience would fit in/translate into credit and how much documentation they would need.

There is a PLA at tesc close to a subject I used to give high school presentations/talks on. I've thought about emailing the mentor (before registering for the PLA) to see if I'd qualify for credit but was worried that contacting a mentor prior to paying for the PLA might be rude. When I called and asked an advisor how I could get specifics on how much I'd have to do to get PLA credit they said to email the tesc office responsible for PLA credit. Typical answer. OK, more run around and background work for me, but I'll let you know if I learn more.

One side benefit of PLA's is that it would force me to spruce up my resume and gather various letters/documents that might be of benefit when I start looking for a new job after graduation.

Good luck Linda.