Prior Learning Assessment Program

Centenary University's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program is designed to help students combine university courses and life and/or work experience in a non‐traditional approach toward earning a university degree through the portfolio process, which can accelerate the time to degree completion. Any graduate or undergraduate student admitted to the University is eligible to participate in the program. However, undergraduate students may not use PLA credits to satisfy their 30 credit residency¹ requirement at the University.

While the term "PLA" is used interchangeably from institution to institution, at its core, PLA represents an umbrella for a variety of opportunities to earn college-level credit through programs such as the American Council on Education (ACE), the National College Credit Recommendation Service (CCRS), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), the College Credit by Examination (DSST), etc. At Centenary University, PLA represents the "portfolio" component of the PLA process (i.e., PLA-portfolio). Nevertheless, students are eligible to request transfer credits through ACE, CCRS, CLEP, DANTES or DSST by contacting the Registrar's Office.

To become involved in the University's PLA Program, interested students must complete a Prior Learning Assessment Pre-registration Checklist through their academic advisor. Students must then register for and successfully complete a one (1) credit required course, PLA 1000 PLA Portfolio Development, which runs 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 portfolios for approved course content to the Director of PLA (who supervises the program), who will then assign the portfolios to faculty evaluators who will assess the portfolio, determine if college‐level credit has been demonstrated, and determine the amount of credit earned. Once all applicable fees are paid, any credit awarded (for successful portfolio review) will be added to the student's official transcript.

Fees:

The fee for PLA 1000 is the equivalent of one (1) credit at the prevailing tuition rate, payable upon registration for the course.²
The fee for the PLA Portfolio evaluation is $250.00³ for each portfolio submitted for evaluation.
The fee for PLA credits is 50% of the prevailing per credit tuition rate, payable after a successful portfolio review.

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1- PLA credits, including ACE, CCRS, CLEP, DANTES or DSST credits, cannot be applied toward the University 30-credit residency requirement. All evaluations for PLA-portfolio credits must be completed no later than the semester in which the student is planning to graduate.

2- The 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.

3- This 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 in this example.

Contact Information:

Dr. Jeffrey Carter

Prior Learning Assessment Program Director

908-852-1400 x 5065

jeffrey.carter@centenaryuniversity.edu