Award of Academic Credit by Prior Learning Assessment

Policy Title:

Award of Academic Credit by Prior Learning Assessment

Summary

The policy regulates the award of credit through the assessment of prior learning within the State University of New York (University).

Background and History

Many people have achieved college-level learning outside of the traditional classroom, and this knowledge is equivalent to knowledge gained through more formal learning settings. Individuals acquire verifiable college-level learning through work experiences, completing professional certifications and licenses, serving in the military, taking non-credit course work, engaging in community service and volunteer activities, and studying independently such as through open educational resources and the internet. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a valid assessment process through which students can document verifiable college-level learning.

The University enacted the Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation policy in 1976. In the years since, multiple new forms of PLA have been developed and gained recognition nationally and within the University.

Definitions

Prior Learning Assessment - Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the award of academic credit based on the evaluation of verifiable college-level learning achieved outside of a traditional academic environment.

Policy

This policy describes the methods available to students of the State University of New York seeking credit through Prior Learning Assessment. PLA credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning, but not for the experience itself.

For purposes of providing minimum university-wide guarantees to all University students, students may apply at least 30 credit hours earned through PLA, including those offered as transfer credit, toward fulfillment of degree requirements at any University campus where they are enrolled. A given campus may allow additional PLA credit hours up to the limit specified by the residence provision described later in this document. Campuses will not be expected to count credit hours toward fulfillment of degree requirements in areas that would normally not receive credit during an evaluation of transfer credits.

Educational Policies

The evaluation of credits earned through PLA should be based on the same criteria used to evaluate student outcomes expected in traditional academic settings. Criteria need to be clear, explicit and at the level of acceptable learning that are both agreed upon and made public to students, faculty and staff.

a) The assessment process should be treated as an integral part of learning, not separate from it, and should be based on an understanding of learning processes.

b) The evaluation of PLA outcomes must be conducted by the faculty or equivalent subject matter experts, whose competencies have been reviewed by procedures parallel to those employed by the campus for adjunct faculty.

c) Each campus must indicate under whose authority PLA credits are awarded and make explicit the procedures for this award.

Educational Methods

Prior learning can be identified and assessed in a variety of methods to determine if college credit should be awarded towards academic credentials. Common methods include, but are not limited to, standardized examinations, evaluated military and professional learning credits by the American Council on Education (ACE), the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) and regionally accredited institutions, and individualized prior learning portfolio assessments.

I. Published Examinations –

The preceding guarantee of credit for PLA applies to the following published examinations, provided the specified minimum performance levels are met. All acceptable scores need to be equivalent to a grade of C or better in a formal course:

a) College-Level Examination Program (Subject Examinations)

b) Advanced Placement Program

c) UExcel Examination (formerly known as Excelsior College Examination and College Proficiency Examinations)

d) DANTES Subjects Standardized Tests (DSST)

Individual campuses may set lower cutoff scores for which local credit may be awarded through published examinations; however, other University campuses are not required to award transfer credit for scores lower than those listed in the preceding specifications when published examinations are reported. A campus may award credit for other published examinations, but no transfer guarantees will be made to students for these examinations.

II. Military Credits

The preceding guarantee of credit for PLA applies to military credits as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). These military credits should be accepted and applied accordingly when they satisfy local program degree requirements, in the same ways as other transfer credits.

III. Advanced Manufacturing Certifications

The preceding guarantee of credit for PLA applies to existing credit recommendations provided by nationally recognized credentialing agencies (such as ACE, NCCRS or regionally accredited institutions) for the advanced manufacturing related workplace skills credentials that comprise the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System:

a) National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

b) The Manufacturing Skill Standard Council’s (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT)

c) National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS)

d) American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder

e) Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ (SME) Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT)

f) Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ (SME) Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)

Students need to document successful achievement of the credential as indicated by the credit recommendation report.

Individual campuses may accept or develop credit recommendations for other certified and licensed learning credentials; but no transfer guarantees will be made to students for these credentials.

IV. Other Forms of PLA

In addition to the University-wide guaranteed PLA methods, campuses may accept other types of PLA methods to assess credits.

For credits earned through PLA, exclusive of the University-wide Guaranteed PLA Methods, the methods of evaluation shall be determined by the faculty and/or professional staff assigned responsibility for awarding credit or administering the PLA programs at a campus level.

Transfer Policies

All University campuses must apply the same transfer policies to PLA credits that are used to evaluate transferability of credit earned through standard instructional methods.

a) These credits should be appropriate to the context in which they are awarded and accepted.

b) No campus shall be required to give credit in subject matter that could not normally be transferred from other institutions.

c) Credit shall not be excluded from transfer because it was obtained through PLA rather than formal course enrollment.

d) Transcript entries for awarded credit should clearly describe what learning is being recognized and be carefully monitored to avoid giving credit for redundant learning.

Where PLA credit is awarded originally in content areas not offered by the campus, the assessment method must be reviewed and approved by an appropriate academic committee or designee assigned by the campus.

Content Area Policies

PLA credits will apply to SUNY General Education requirements, Mobility Pathways degree requirements and programs developed under the TAACCCT grant. All disciplines may accept PLA credits. Any restrictions beyond the university-wide guaranteed content areas will be determined at the campus level.

PLA procedures are appropriate when students are not registered formally for the specific course in question.

Residency Requirement

Credit hours earned through PLA may not be counted toward satisfaction of any existing residence requirements; however, individual campuses may allow as many PLA credits be applied toward degree requirements as are deemed appropriate by that campus.

Administrative Policies

PLA procedures are appropriate when students are not registered formally for the specific course in question.

Student Participation

All matriculated students will be allowed to use PLA credits as transfer credits toward degree requirements. Individual campuses may choose to extend PLA opportunities to non-matriculated students. Institutional Affiliations - Although the evaluation of a student's achievement may occur at any time, the student must have a record of progress toward an educational objective at the institution awarding credit prior to placement of credit on a transcript.

Although an individual may request evaluation of their verifiable, college-level learning at any time, PLA should be considered early enough to ensure maximizing its benefits toward a desired degree.

Campus Coordination
A person or office on each campus shall be designated to coordinate PLA activities. This individual or office shall:

a) Clearly and accurately communicate the university-wide campus practices concerning PLA options, policies and procedures to students, faculty, and staff;

b) Ensure evaluation activities are conducted with integrity and expedited;

c) Provide staff functions for campus groups concerned with PLA policies and procedures;

d) Serve as an information channel between the campus and other units and agencies;

e) Maintain accurate records of PLA activities

All personnel involved in the assessment of prior learning must be adequately trained in assessment procedures and pursue continuing professional development for the functions they perform.

Campuses need to monitor, review, evaluate, and revise PLA programs regularly in accordance to campus policies for all standard academic program reviews.

Communication

Policies, procedures and criteria applied to PLA activities, including fee structure, financial aid practices and provision for appeal, should be fully disclosed and prominently available to prospect and enrolled students, as well as faculty and staff involved in the assessment process, and be included in academic catalogs and campus websites.

In addition, if the application of PLA credits into a specific degree program is restricted in any way, communication methods must also include a statement regarding those PLA credits that are:

a) not accepted for degree credit,

b) not appropriate for specialized requirements, or

c) not appropriate for prerequisites for advanced level courses.

Fiscal Procedures

PLA Programs will be funded on a self-supporting basis under which the direct costs (including fringe benefits) of the program will be offset by revenue from PLA fees. The program will be funded under the Income Fund Reimbursable Program Guidelines.

a) Fees charged for assessment should be based on the services performed in the process and not determined by the amount of credit awarded.

b) Fees for PLA activities will be developed by each campus and forwarded to the office of the vice chancellor for finance and business for approval. Campuses will determine PLA fees based on direct costs (including fringe benefits) necessary to provide credit by evaluation services. These direct costs would include supervision of the evaluation program, assessment preparation or purchase, administration of the assessments, including correction, evaluation, recording, and notification of participants.

c) Testing fees may vary based on type of evaluation and its related costs, but may not vary between participants taking the same test during any semester. Fee levels should be re-examined each fiscal cycle.

d) Based on the financial circumstances of the participant, waiver of testing fees may be authorized by the campus president or designee. Overall fee levels should be established in such a way as to accommodate any loss in revenue as a result of waivers, operating within the principle that overall the evaluation program must be self-supporting.

Reporting Procedures

System Administration will request information from campuses concerning PLA activities at regular intervals and will distribute a summary within the University.

a) The results of PLA activities will be treated in the same administrative manner as transfer credit, for example, no additional fees beyond those charged for services performed will be charged to the student and no campus Full Time Equivalent (FTE) credit will be reported.

b) These policies shall not preclude academic departments and faculty from providing additional examination or evaluation services to students already enrolled in courses in which such services appear appropriate. This latter process is regarded as a course challenge, as opposed to PLA, and will continue to be reported by the campus as formal course enrollment.