Prior Learning Assessment
Indiana Wesleyan University provides an option for obtaining credit through experiences where college level learning has taken place, but was gained outside of the traditional college classroom setting. This option is called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). IWU uses the principles and guidelines put forth by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) who has served as a leader in the development and implementation of assessment for experiential learning since 1974.
Students are required to submit their documentation for PLA consideration through the IWU student portal. This documentation should clearly articulate a student’s academically relevant, non-university learning. Students are responsible to develop their PLA submissions independently and follow the guidelines provided by the Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment. After all required documentation is received, the information is sent to faculty members whose knowledge and expertise qualify them to evaluate learning gained through experience.
PLA submissions enable IWU to evaluate and assign university credit for the student’s university level learning. No grades are assigned; only credit awarded.
The PLA submission is reviewed only by those who have an official reason for doing so: the PLA staff, faculty evaluators and accrediting association members. Any data received from the PLA process that may be made public will be generalized and will in no way be attributed to an individual unless the student provides a signed authorization. Students should not include any materials in the PLA submission that violate the legal and moral rights to privacy of other individuals.
The Indiana Wesleyan University Honesty, Cheating, Plagiarism, and Forgery Policy also apply to all Prior Learning Assessment submissions.
Undergraduate students accepted to or enrolled in any of the IWU-National and Global associate or baccalaureate degree programs are eligible to complete PLA. Graduate students may apply for PLA credit in approved graduate programs. Credit hours awarded may be counted toward general education, elective or select core requirements as applicable to the undergraduate degree or as specified for approved graduate programs.
The maximum number of credits awarded for all credit through various examinations (CLEP, DANTES, AP, AICE, etc.) and prior learning shall be limited to a total of 40 semester hours for the baccalaureate degrees and 18 semester hours for the associate degrees, and ordinarily will not be applied to upper-division requirements in the major (junior and senior levels). It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval from the appropriate division for the application of credits to the majors.
