Prior Learning Assessment Program
WHAT IS PRIOR LEARNING?
The University of St. Francis is committed to the idea that people deserve credit for their learning experiences that were not acquired as part of a formally structured course offered by a college or university. Many adults have developed their college level learning away from the traditional classroom. Such learning, sometimes called prior learning, is as valuable as that gained through traditional college course work.
CREDIT FOR LEARNING, NOT EXPERIENCE
Credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning acquired through life or work experience. For example, a student who has worked as an accounting clerk for 10 years will not be awarded credit for having 10 years of office experience, but for the ability to demonstrate what has been learned about accounting, budgeting, or management. Credit is granted for learning that is equivalent to courses offered at the University of St. Francis.
SOURCES OF COLLEGE-LEVEL LEARNING
Some of the possible sources for prior college-level learning include work experience, non-credit courses, seminars and in-service training programs, volunteer work in the community, hobbies, recreational activities, independent reading and research, and military service.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
To be eligible to participate in the prior learning assessment program, a student must be currently enrolled at the University of St. Francis. A transcript evaluation must be completed before a student can be advised about participation in the Prior Learning Assessment or Credit by Examination Programs. Credit may not be awarded more than once for the same body of learning. For example, credit granted through prior learning assessment can not duplicate credit granted in a college course or in a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test or Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) Test. The maximum amount of credit that can be earned through either the documentation of prior learning or other advanced standing programs is 33 semester hours. Students must complete the prior learning assessment process before acquiring 96 hours of college credit.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
The University of St. Francis accepts most CLEP and DANTES examinations. Additional Information about the CLEP examination can be found by clicking CLEP and additional information about the DANTES examination can be found by clicking on DANTES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have specific questions you can contact the Coordinator of the Prior Learning Assessment Program at plap@stfrancis.edu