Prior Learning Assessment Program

Centenary University's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program is designed to help the adult learner combine University courses and life and/or work experience in a non‐traditional approach toward earning a University degree. This program is supervised through the PLA Program Director. Adult learners who are 23 years of age or older, matriculated, and who have earned a minimum of 8 credits of coursework at Centenary are eligible to participate in this program.¹ Students may not use PLA credits to satisfy their 30 credit residency requirement at the University.²

To become involved in the University's PLA Program, all interested students must complete a Prior Learning Assessment Preregistration Checklist through their academic/program advisor. Students must then register for and successfully complete a one (1) credit required course, PLA 1000: PLA Portfolio Development, which is offered as needed. The course covers details of the PLA process and the mechanics of portfolio creation. After successful course completion, students will create and submit portfolio(s) for approved course content to the Director of PLA, who will then assign the portfolios to faculty evaluators who will assess the portfolio, determine if University‐level credit has been demonstrated, and determine the amount of credit earned.

Fees:

The fee for PLA 1000 is the equivalent of one (1) credit at the prevailing tuition rate at the main campus, payable upon registration for the course.^{3 2}
The fee for the PLA Portfolio evaluation is $250.00.⁴
The fee for PLA credits is 50% of the prevailing tuition rate per credit for the main campus, payable after a successful portfolio review.

Contact Information:

Dr. Jeffrey Carter

Prior Learning Assessment Program Director

908‐852‐1400, ext. 5065

jeffrey.carter@centenaryuniversity.edu

¹Students in the accelerated cohort programs can only apply for PLA courses that are not part of their cohort of study.

²PLA credits, including CLEP credits, cannot be applied toward the University’s 30 credit residency requirement. All evaluations for PLA credits must be completed by the end of the semester before the one in which the student is planning to graduate.

³The fee is not eligible for any discounts such as, but not limited to: Employee, PDS, law enforcement, etc. The fee for PLA 1000 is not covered by full-time tuition (12-18 credits); it is an additional tuition charge for one (1) credit.

⁴This is a flat, per-portfolio rate, regardless of whether credit is awarded. For example: if a student submits two (2) separate portfolios for two (2) separate courses, they will pay $250 for each portfolio, for a total of $500.