Refer to Policy 9022 Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), is a means by which students may be granted UCW academic credit through assessment of their knowledge and skills gained through substantive formal and informal learning and work experience related to a specific course subject area and non-academic courses.
PLAR complements transfer credit as a means for students to gain academic credit for prior learning. The UCW PLAR Review Team includes UCW staff and faculty, as well as participation from external reviewers experienced with PLAR evaluation (as required), respectively for local, national, and international
students.
UCW actively supports the concept of Prior Learning Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR) for all its programs and courses, and will grant credit, where warranted, for the knowledge and skills a student has already acquired, whether in a formal setting through academic courses, or an informal setting through professional development or experience. PLAR complements transfer credit as a means for students to gain academic credit for prior work.
The purpose of this policy is to articulate the circumstances under which UCW will grant academic credit for PLAR. PLAR determines whether an applicant has the background appropriate to gain academic credit for specific courses within a particular program.
Students are eligible to apply for PLAR once they have been admitted to the University and have been issued a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). If a student wishes to apply for PLAR for multiple courses, UCW generally processes them sequentially, not concurrently.
Students must apply for PLAR directly to the Registrar’s Office.
The Registrar’s Office receives and processes requests for PLAR. The Dean, Chair, or academic program head assigns the type and amount of academic credit granted for PLAR, if any.
PLAR requests are normally processed within 30 days of receipt of the completed application and payment of associated fees. Completion of the assessment is dependent upon the student’s submission of the portfolio.
The UCW PLAR Review Team includes UCW staff and faculty, as well as participation from external reviewers experienced in relation to PLAR (as required), respectively for local, national, and international students.
The PLAR process is an assessment of a portfolio including, but is not limited to, any of the following:
• Evaluation and verification of credentials from non-recognized institutions; • Verification of transcripts;
• Demonstration of competencies before objective observer(s); • Credit challenge through examinations;
• Completion of research, position, or other papers to demonstrate currency of knowledge;
• Interviews; and
The Dean, Chair, or academic program head selects internal and/or external reviewers who have the necessary expertise to assess the portfolio. The Dean, Chair, or academic program head, in consultation with one or more content experts, determines the components and methodology of an assessment for a PLAR applicant.
The reviewer assesses the portfolio and recommends what, if any, academic credit is warranted towards the degree.
If the PLAR process reveals specific deficiencies in a student’s preparation, the University may recommend a remedial course of action for the student to undertake before credit may be considered.
The fee for PLAR is non-refundable and is payable in full prior to the PLAR assessment, regardless of the number of credits granted. The PLAR fee is payable for each course for which credit is sought. If credit is granted for PLAR, UCW does not impose additional tuition fees for those courses for which credit was granted.
Undergraduate students are eligible to apply for no more than 60 credit hours of a combination of transfer credit and PLAR. Graduate students are eligible to apply for a maximum of 50% of their required credits as transfer credit and PLAR. Students who are granted credit through PLAR must meet the degree residency requirement. If a student is granted recognition through PLAR, their transcript notation will indicate ‘PLAR’, with no grade.
Only the Registrar’s Office issues decisions on PLAR. PLAR notations are not calculated into the GPA. PLAR is not granted automatically based on a résumé.
In the event students view PLAR decisions as unjust, they may appeal the decision as described in the Academic Appeals policy.
How to Apply for PLAR
The student completes a “Request for PLAR” form, then submits a detailed chronological résumé plus written summary (using professional presentation) explaining how their past education and work experience can be considered towards their request for PLAR. The application will not be processed until the required fee is paid through Financial Services. Drop off, fax, mail or email the PLAR request plus all documents to the Registrar’s Office.
The Admissions Department processes the PLAR Request and requests any clarifying information. Once the application is complete, the Academic
Department reviews the application and assigns a faculty evaluator to assess the request. After the initial review and if the faculty sees potential, they will arrange an interview to determine the type and scope of portfolio work to be completed by the student.