Credit Evaluation and Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment

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 learning you have already mastered outside the traditional college classroom. Equivalent credit is not awarded for experience, but for learning that is similar in content, depth, and breadth to college-level learning.

Questions

If you have questions about prior learning assessment, contact Michael Yard, IUPUI faculty coordinator of prior learning assessment, at myard@iupui.edu or (317) 278-7600.

PLA Courses, Programs, and Options

  • IUPUI General

    The AP, IB, CLEP, and DANTES examination programs give traditional and nontraditional students the opportunity to earn transfer credit. 

    Students who wish to test out of a math course are able to take a proficiency test or earn credit by exam to place into a higher level of math or to earn credit for a course without taking it.

    Military Training Occupations

  • School of Engineering and Technology

    Information about prior learning assessment for the School of Engineering and Technology 

  • Kelley School of Business

    Business majors with extensive knowledge of computer concepts, databases, and spreadsheets may choose to take the Computer in Business (K201) waiver exam.

  • School of Informatics and Computing

    Course credit can be awarded to students if they pass a prior learning assessment. After reviewing the syllabus, if students feel they already know the course content through life experience or other courses completed, students can meet with the faculty of that course to discuss pursuing the prior learning option. The faculty can either do a portfolio review or give a student the course final. Credit is then awarded if the portfolio meets expectations or if the final is passed with a grade of C or higher.

    Advisors review transcripts for veteran School of Informatics and Computing (SoIC) students coming in with military credit. All earned military credits are applied toward SoIC programs—up to, but not exceeding, 64 credit hours.

  • School of Liberal Arts

    Credit may sometimes be granted for learning experiences acquired through means other than normal college course work. Credit is available for course-specific learning or for non–course-specific learning in (1) arts and humanities and (2) social sciences.

    There are multiple options for obtaining credit for writing courses at IUPUI. Students may transfer direct or comparable credit from a previous institution, pass an approved examination, or complete a special credit portfolio. View the policies for specific information about each course and what is acceptable for transferring credit in this area.

  • School of Physical Education and Tourism Management

    Credit may be awarded for relevant and meaningful professional or life experience outside of the typical university environment. A maximum of 15 credit hours can be awarded as self-acquired competency.

  • School of Public and Environmental Affairs

    Full-time firefighters who are trained and employed by participating departments are eligible for up to 9 undergraduate credit hours, which can be applied toward any of SPEA’s undergraduate programs.

    Sworn full-time police officers who have graduated from any of the five law enforcement academies in Indiana are eligible for up to 12 undergraduate credit hours, which can be applied toward any of SPEA’s undergraduate programs.

    The Graduate Admissions Committee of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs may grant up to a maximum of 12 credit hours toward the MPA degree for students who have had significant professional-level work experience in management and policy development.

    Correctional Training Institute

    SPEA students who have completed the Correctional Training Institute through the Department of Corrections have the opportunity to earn 6 credits toward a degree. Credit is earned through Indiana State University (ISU). Applications are sent to ISU during the training sessions. The admission and registration process can take up to six months to process. Once processed, IUPUI students will need to request an official ISU transcript to be sent to IUPUI for transfer credit evaluation. At the Correctional Training Institute, state employees are given the opportunity to take ISU CRIM 210 Introduction to Corrections and CRIM 298 Practicum in Criminal Justice for a total of 6 credits. CRIM 210 will transfer to IUPUI as SPEA-J 331; CRIM 298 will transfer to IUPUI as SPEA UN 200 and will count as an elective. Learn more.

  • Fairbanks School of Public Health

    The Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program Committee of the Fairbanks School of Public Health may grant up to a maximum of 3 credit hours toward the MHA degree for students who have had significant professional-level work experience in management and policy development.

  • School of Science

    Students who wish to test out of a math course are able to take a proficiency test or earn credit by exam to place into a higher level of math or to earn credit for a course without taking it.

  • School of Social Work

    Self-acquired competency (SAC) can be awarded for learning gained outside of the university setting such as learning derived from union activities or workplace experiences. Students must demonstrate and document that their learning is equivalent to college-level material.

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