1. Prior Learning Assessment Process

2. PLA at NU
Talking points: Northwood University has long believed that learning does not take place exclusively in the classroom. A person's professional learning may be translated into college-level credit. This learning can be evaluated in terms of required and/or elective courses from specific degree programs.
NU abides by the CAEL standards and uses the portfolio based assessment method. This process must be initiated during the student’s first semester at NU
A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit can be awarded as part of this process and this limit is combined of any CLEP credits.
Military credits are evaluated separately and does not count towards the limit for PLA.

3. PLA Process Identify PLA student
Rubric used to determine if a student is a good fit for PLA
Key categories are breadth and depth of work experience, room to bring in credits, work-life balance and academic capacity
Identify PLA student
Prior learning resume and employment focused autobiography
Area of study document, one per each course they seek credit for, articulate how their learning on the job is applicable to NU course and outcomes.
Enroll student in online pass- fail class
Primary verification letters verifying learning in workplace provided by appropriate people who observed them
Secondary verification documents like licenses, certifications, attending non-credit course, samples of work
Student submits additional portfolio documents within 60 days of passing online class
Completed student portfolio is forwarded electronically to PLA evaluator for review and approval of credits.
Student has opportunity to make changes during this phase based on feedback from evaluator if need be.
Completed portfolio forwarded for evaluation
Student required to pay portfolio evaluation fee within 60 days of receiving approval of credit letter.
Pending PLA credits placed in system for advising purposes
PLA pending credits entered and portfolio fee due after evaluator approval
PLA credits earned will be posted to transcript once student has paid the fee and met the residency requirement at NU.
Student notified about the same also.
PLA credits transcribed upon student meeting residency criteria
Additional talking points:
Identify student – should have atleast 3-5 years of work experience and have a progressive career at different levels as opposed to being in same role for several years. Make sure student understands process is rigorous and student has to be able to manage time well and sustain it beyond the class to make sure everything is submitted correctly and addressed if need be.
If there are questions on Area of Study document – each course needs one such document where student has to meet 70% of the course outcomes and articulate how their learning at workplace addresses those course outcomes.
Portfolio evaluation process is typically completed within couple of weeks. Credentialed faculty with a passion to assist adult learners.
Passing the online class is a requirement to move on to submitting verification portfolio documents.
If there are any questions on whether students can use Financial aid to pay for portfolio evaluation, reach out to Sarah or others from NU to address it if possible. I believe there is but I am not very familiar with that side of the house keeping.
The one credit hour online class is considered towards their residency requirement. However, the credits earned are not considered towards residency. They are considered to be similar to evaluation of coursework transferred from other colleges. 
Any questions regarding how credits are posted on the transcript can be answered by Sarah Boothe

4. Cost of PLA
Students will pay for the one credit hour online class when enrolled in it
Will pay the portfolio evaluation fee once it has been evaluated and approved by the evaluator – this fee is irrespective of the number of credits that are awarded through the process

5. Student testimony
"The PLA process was instrumental in launching my re-entry into an undergrad program. That along with the credits I was granted for military experience was just the right incentive I needed to feel like this was achievable at this stage in my life."

6. Questions
Students will pay for the one credit hour online class when enrolled in it
Will pay the portfolio evaluation fee once it has been evaluated and approved by the evaluator