Adult students come to college from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, some of which may involve college-level learning. Prior learning assessment (PLA) provides you with a path to attain college credit for knowledge you have already mastered outside the traditional classroom. Equivalent credit is awarded through a variety of methods; each school or department at IUPUI determines its own process. Complete the form below to connect with IUPUI's prior learning assessment coordinator.
Earning credit for life and work experience
Types of credit assessment
Portfolios
A portfolio is a collection of work and documentation that represents your learning. Portfolios are reviewed by departments or faculty to determine the appopriate amount of credit.Test out
Some programs allow the option to test out of specific courses by taking a proficiency exam. While the test out process allows you to avoid taking one or more courses, it does not award credit.Credit-by-exam
Credit-by-exam is a process that allows you to take a proficiency exam to earn credit for one or more courses based on your knowledge of the material.Certifications
Some programs will award credit for certifications you have received through local or national organizations.Military experience
Students who received an honorable discharge or who are currently serving in the United States military and who enroll at IUPUI may receive college credit for military training or experiences.School and program assessment offerings
| School or program | Portfolios | Test out | Credit-by-exam | Certifications | Military experience |
| Business | ✔* | ||||
| Engineering and Technology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Informatics and Computing | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Labor Studies* | ✔ | ||||
| Liberal Arts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Math* | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Physical Education and Tourism Management | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Public and Environmental Affairs | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Public Health (master's only) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |