Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) recognizes your life and work experience by awarding college credit for your knowledge and skills that are equivalent to college-level learning.
Consider how much you have learned in your life, and think about all the skills that you have gained from your experience. PLA recognizes that learning comes from many sources: employment, volunteer work, community service, church activity, adult education courses, in-service training, seminars, workshops, military service, travel, hobbies, reading, and other life situations. Martin University encourages you to earn college credits by demonstrating what you already know. While testing options are available, most students choose the internationally recognized Portfolio Assessment method. Credits gained towards PLA can only be used towards a Martin University Degree.
Portfolio Assessment
Martin University faculty will guide the preparation of your portfolio, which includes (1) an autobiography, (2) a resumé, (3) requests for college credit, (4) a degree plan, and (5) supporting documentation.
The portfolio not only helps you gain college credit, but also becomes a personally valuable record of your life and accomplishments. During the preparation process, you will strengthen your skills in writing, critical reading, and self-presentation.
Qualified Martin University faculty members will evaluate your portfolio and grant college credit, as appropriate. Both PLA and transfer credits can apply toward a degree, but in all cases you must also complete at least 34 in-residence hours and meet the course-distribution requirements of the degree program.
Credit Hours and Fees
Students who chose the portfolio method will enroll in the six credit hour PLA course, PLA 130. The course will meet once a week as a regular class period and once a week as a lab to provide student-focused meetings with PLA instructor and university faculty.
The tuition charged for the six hour PLA 130 class covers the administrative costs for the class, advising from the PLA office, evaluation of the portfolio, and transcription of credit. Any credits awarded through the portfolio evaluation process are awarded without further fees or tuition.
The following fees apply:
Eligibility and Requirements
For More Information
Contact Kamia Jackson, Director of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), at kjack@martin.edu or 317-917-3308.