Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for undergraduate Students
Lesley University recognizes that undergraduate students may have had professional and life experiences that parallel college level learning.
The PLA process is available to undergraduate students. It is not available to graduate students. Students start the PLA process by meeting with their academic advisor and then the Assistant Vice President of College Partnerships and Transfer Initiatives. Through 1-on-1 meetings, faculty guide students to identify and document their learning experiences into a comprehensive portfolio. Students may apply for as few as three (3), and as many as forty-five (45) credits that, if awarded, will count toward degree requirements. In addition to the cost of the three-credit course, students pay a $100 per credit assessment fee at the time they submit the PLA portfolio (students must submit this fee prior to having their portfolios assessed and regardless of how many credits are ultimately awarded).
The Assistant Vice President of College Partnerships and Transfer Initiatives selects the appropriate academic division/program or department and works in collaboration with the Associate Provost and Chair or Director to identify the expert or experts among faculty to work on the credential review. The Associate Provost and Chair or Director select the faculty member or members according to their experience and knowledge of the area to be reviewed. The Assistant Vice President of College Partnerships and Transfer Initiatives, Chair or Director and selected faculty members responsible to evaluate the program meet with the director of the program to be reviewed to have a clear understanding of the rationale for transfer. Faculty members can opt out of reviewing transfer of credits.
Students wishing to appeal award decisions should contact the Assistant Vice President of College Partnerships and Transfer Initiatives for instructions. All appeals will be reviewed by the Associate Provost of the academic discipline whose decision related to credit awards will be final.
Awarded credits are incorporated into a student’s degree plan as transfer credits and are calculated as part of the maximum 90 allowable transfer credits for undergraduate students. PLA credits may be applied to requirements in the major, general education, or electives in the BAL in Liberal Studies program. PLA credits may be applied to general education and elective credits in other majors, though approval will be required for some credits to count toward courses in majors outside of the Liberal Studies program.
Students interested in earning credit through PLA should discuss their eligibility with their advisor early in their degree planning. Potential PLA credits should be considered and discussed as part of a student’s transfer credits at the time of enrollment; credits through PLA are ideally taken in the beginning or middle of a student’s plan. PLA credits cannot be the final credits students take as part of their degree. Per university policy, students must take institutional credit at Lesley in their final semester before graduation. Students wishing to learn more about the PLA process should contact their advisor.