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Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment is a great way to get college credit for your life experience. Save money, save time.
Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio HandbookPrior Learning Assessment FAQ

 

 

 

PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) is a valuable way to get credit toward your degree.


Learn More About PLA


If you are interested in getting credit for previous life experience you will need to:

  • Declare a degree or certificate
  • Demonstrate learning which is equivalent to a course needed to meet your goal
  • Continue to work closely with an advisor to determine what courses you need to complete your degree. We don't want you to earn more credit than you need or duplicate any previously-earned credit

Prior Learning Assessment Fee Matrix

All PLA fees are submitted on the Records Online Payment webpage

*Active-Duty Military & Veteran Students: All CPL associated fees are waived except for the proctoring fee. As of July 1, 2023, the $65.00 per credit hour awarded fee was eliminated.

 

National Exams (i.e. CLEP/DSST)

Consult with the Testing Center on the most current testing matrix to determine which exams are equivalent to a course and the minimum score needed to pass. We do not accept all exam titles.

To register to take a CLEP/DSST exam, go to the Testing Center.

If you already passed an exam, send us an official transcript (see address below).
Exam Sites Here: CLEP DSST UExcel (Excelsior) AP Exam IB Exam


Pikes Peak State College Attn: Records Office/ Box C8/ 5675 S. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Questions? Email: records@pikespeak.edu

Student
Student

Challenge Exams

Challenge Exams are institutional exams developed by faculty. They assess a student’s mastery of the competencies required for the CCNS course being challenged. Challenge exams are typically the equivalent of a comprehensive final exam and may include a skills demonstration. These exams are distinct from Portfolios in that they only require an exam and/or demonstration and do not require the student to document work or other learning experience. These exams (when passed) also count as institutional credit and towards the HLC residency requirement.

A student must pass with a “C” grade or better. The only exception to this is that some technical or licensure accrediting bodies may require a “B” grade or better for certification. Exams can be administered by either the PPSC Testing Center, the Faculty member, or an approved proctoring site.

If you would like to complete a Challenge Exam, please fill out the PLA Student Agreement Form for Challenge Exams

Portfolio

Create a portfolio of documents that describe your learning, request course credit, and provide supporting documentation. Your portfolio is evaluated by a faculty member who is a subject-matter expert. See the PLA Portfolio Student Handbook for guidance. 

Identify the courses in your degree plan that you would like to petition for credit. Search for the course description and competencies on the Common Course Numbering System. The BAS program has an established ESA 400 portfolio assignment and ESA 4010 portfolio assignment that may be completed. 

Meet with a faculty member in the identified subject to determine what artifacts would be needed to prove competency.

Assemble your portfolio.

Turn the portfolio in to Enrollment Services along with the Portfolio Student Agreement Form for payment and review. Students should submit copies of their documentation. Keep the originals.

Watch your student email account for the results.

Student at Internship
Construction Worker

Workplace Training/Certificate (Published Guides)

American Council on Education (ACE) ACE National Guide
National College Credit Recommendation Service NCCRS

Use a Published Guide (ACE/NCCRS) to request credit for workplace training and certifications. The courses are evaluated by teams of national subject-matter experts who write a credit recommendation. PPSC subject-matter faculty will review the ACE/NCCRS recommendations to determine if there is a course equivalent.

Some workplace training, certificates and licensures have been previously evaluated so there is an established credit equivalency. Use the PLA Student Agreement Form for Industry Certification/Workplace Training to submit documentation for PLA credit. If your workplace training certificates and licensure are not included on the MOU PLA agreement then please submit the PLA Student Agreement-Non MOU Industry Certification or Professional Licensure form.

Determine if your training has been evaluated (go to ACE or NCCRS) and may help to satisfy one of your degree plan requirements.

Contact records@pikespeak.edu for your next steps.

Active Duty Military Transcripts

Veteran Military Transcripts

Active Duty Military Transcripts

Have your Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force Transcript (CCAF) evaluated. The American Council on Education's (ACE) Military Guide provides college credit recommendations for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Not using military education benefits? Email mvp@pikespeak.edu to request a JST evaluation. You do not need to order your JST.

We value all of your service. All of your learning is valuable. However, some of your learning from military service (occupation and training), when evaluated, may or may not be the equivalent of 1) a college-level course and 2) a course required on your declared degree or certificate. If you decide to change your course of study, your transcripts may need to be re-evaluated.

 

 

1. Set up your tuition assistance (TA) through ArmyIgnitED. If you’re not using TA, email mvp@pikespeak.edu to request a JST evaluation.
2. Enroll in 6+ credit hours with PPSC.
3. Verify that your ArmyIgnitED and PPSC degrees match.
4. Order official transcripts from any previous colleges you have attended.  ​​​​​​

1. Email mvp@pikespeak.edu to request a JST evaluation. You do not need to order your JST.
2. Watch your student email account for the results.

1. Order your CCAF transcript sent to PPSC.
2. Watch your student email account for the results.

Veteran Military Transcripts

Have your Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force Transcript (CCAF) evaluated. The American Council on Education's (ACE) Military Guide provides college credit recommendations for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Not using military education benefits? Email records@pikespeak.edu to request a JST evaluation. You do not need to order your JST.

We value all of your service. All of your learning is valuable. However, some of your learning from military service (occupation and training), when evaluated, may or may not be the equivalent of 1) a college-level course and 2) a course required on your declared degree or certificate. If you decide to change your course of study, your transcripts may need to be re-evaluated.

Submit your VA Benefits Certification Form

Separated Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard: Watch your student email account for the results of your JST evaluation. Turnaround time frame is one semester. You do not need to order your JST.

Separated Air Force: Order an official copy of your Community College of the Air Force transcript sent to PPSC.