Prior Learning Assessment

Portfolio Development

At Thomas Edison State College, we understand that you may have acquired college-level knowledge outside of a college classroom. That's why we pioneered the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, a national model of excellence in assessing college-level knowledge acquired outside the classroom.

Our PLA program is a course-based process where students demonstrate their college-level knowledge of a subject that they have acquired outside of a traditional classroom setting, such as at work, through volunteer service or other experiences. Students work with a mentor, who is a subject matter expert, to develop an electronic portfolio that documents the student's mastery of the subject. What is important to remember about our PLA program is that students do not get credit for experience; they earn credit by demonstrating that they possess college-level knowledge of a subject.

You may have developed college-level skills and knowledge through your past work, training, volunteering, adult education courses, hobbies, in-service work or other experiences. The PLA program can enable you to demonstrate this knowledge and earn credit for it. Because you will be demonstrating the college-level knowledge you have already acquired, usually no book purchase is required. Course objectives and a schedule of assignment due dates, which will guide you in the development of your narrative, will be available for you to view at the beginning of the term. The course mentor will also assist you in determining what additional evidence is required.

Please note that students CANNOT earn college credit through the PLA process for the following: practicum courses, physical education activity courses, field experiences, student teaching, cooperative study, internships, senior seminars, lab courses not accompanied by related theory courses or current independent study.