Prior learning portfolio

[studyspo.dreaming]

Has anyone on here actually done a prior learning portfolio for credit on yourpace? I have prior work experience I think would apply but I haven’t seen anyone post about doing so successfully, or even attempting it.

I have a series of interviews along with the written educational guide and have built a communication network around the subject of education for my job, and I feel it would work nicely.

[rachel83az]

I think it was ss20ts who said that the PLA option is actually much harder than the classes themselves. Use your prior experience to blow through the classes instead of spending time writing gigantic essays about your experience.

[ss20ts]

Has anyone on here actually done a prior learning portfolio for credit on yourpace? I have prior work experience I think would apply but I haven’t seen anyone post about doing so successfully, or even attempting it.

I have a series of interviews along with the written educational guide and have built a communication network around the subject of education for my job, and I feel it would work nicely.

From what was told me the PLA's are much more work than the actual classes. You have write papers and document everything. It may require assistance from past supervisors which isn't always easy to get. The actual courses are much shorter and faster. less papers/projects. You don't need assistance from anyone. I skipped the PLA's. I know I couldn't have completed them as fast as the classes. A finished several classes in 3 days including the rough draft and final draft of the Final Assessment. My longest class was 2 weeks.

[ashkir]

I was told to expect 5 pages per credit in a PLA. The final exam is just 10-15 pages most of the time so I didn't find it worth it.

[bjcheung77]

If taking courses are cheaper, easier, and faster combined than doing a PLA, that is what I would recommend as well.

[ss20ts]

I was told to expect 5 pages per credit in a PLA. The final exam is just 10-15 pages most of the time so I didn't find it worth it.

I think it depends on the class. Most of the classes I took I was told to plan for over 20 pages for the PLA. All classes had a shorter Final Assessment than 20+ pages. Not to mention some were exams so they were even faster. One class was a 1500 word essay. Most classes I took were 5-7 pages on average for the Final Assessment. Some projects were longer but I also went above and beyond the requirements since I want to move into project management. Those were the classes I made my projects longer than the requirement. Some classes literally took me 3 days to complete from start to finish including submitting the final version of the Final Assessment. No way would a PLA be faster. 

I also wonder how grading works with a PLA. Is it just pass/fail? I never asked. I also knew I needed a 3.0 or higher GPA because I wanted to move on to grad school when I finished at UMPI. The 3.0 had to be in my last 60 credits. Something to think about and find out about if someone wants to do PLA's and go on to grad school.