Prior Learning Assessment
The Utah Board of Higher Education wants to provide students with more options to demonstrate college-level learning from their previous educational, work, or life experiences to help them complete their degree requirements as quickly as possible. Prior learning assessments:
- Save students time and money as they work on their degrees
- Increase the likelihood of students enrolling in college
- Increase the number of courses students complete at a campus compared with students without PLA credits
- Increase completion rates
- Can be an important tool for closing equity gaps
For Students: Save Time and Money
You can save time and money by earning college credit for what you already know from advanced high school coursework, work experience, military training, entrepreneurship, professional licensure, or volunteer work. To earn credit, that experience must relate to college-level knowledge, aligned with particular college classes that fall with your degree plan.
There are many options available at public colleges and universities in Utah.
Did you take advanced classes in high school?
You could earn college credits for prior learning through standardized national exams.
Advanced Placement
Students who take an Advanced Placement course through their high school can register for the corresponding AP test for about $90 and earn college credits. More information is available on the official AP website. To see how your test scores are applied at public colleges and universities in Utah, see the Credit by Examination tables.
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate is an internationally accepted qualification program for students who have completed a specific two-year high school curriculum and demonstrated competency through exams in languages, experimental sciences, social sciences, and mathematics. More information is available on the International Baccalaureate website. To see how your test scores are applied at public colleges and universities in Utah, see the Credit by Examination tables.
Are you interested in testing out of a college course or learning how your military or workplace experience might earn you college credits for prior learning? You have options!
College-Level Examination Program
CLEP tests take between 90-120 minutes, cost around $90 (although some people are eligible for fee waivers), and are offered in five general areas and 29 subjects. For more information, visit the CLEP website. To see how your test scores are applied at public colleges and universities in Utah, see the Credit by Examination tables.
Dantes Subject Standardized Test
DSST offers testing in 39 subjects for military personnel, including active duty, Guard and Reserve components, U.S. Coast Guard, and USCG Reserve members; US Coast Guard spouses; and Air Force Civil Service employees. More details on the DSST website. To see how your test scores are applied at public colleges and universities in Utah, see the Credit by Examination tables.
Workplace Training Evaluations
Students with workplace education, training, and professional experiences may want to be evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE). You could be eligible to earn credit to help jump-start your college career and open up new employment opportunities. More information is available through the National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training.
Professional Licensure
Professional licensure requirements sometimes meet the requirements of certificate or degree programs at Utah’s public colleges and universities. Check with your college or university to see if your professional licensure requirements apply.
Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services
You could receive up to 12 college credits for proficiency in over 60 languages. Exams cost around $75. For more information see the FLATS Testing website. Be sure to check with your college or university before registering.
Department Challenge Exams
Some academic departments at Utah’s public colleges and universities have created their own exams, similar to AP or other national exams, which allow students to test out of certain college courses. These Department Challenge Exams may be available at your college or university, depending on the program. Please talk to your advisor to see if this might be an option for you.
Individualized Assessments of Prior Learning
Your college or university may offer individualized Prior Learning Assessments through portfolios or other means of documenting college-level learning. Check with your academic advisor for more information.
See how your scores for standardized exams might apply to your intended major on the Utah Transfer Guide.
Find more information about Prior Learning Assessment options at your college or university:
For Institutions: Best Practices for PLA
USHE institutions are encouraged to expand the opportunities for students to demonstrate college-level learning and to earn appropriate credit for it. State law and Board policy require that Utah’s public colleges and universities ensure that students know their options, that faculty and key staff (like academic advisors) are trained on the types of Prior Learning Assessments available for students at their institution, and that they consider ways to expand the kinds of Prior Learning Assessments available to students.
See the USHE Prior Learning Assessment Quality Standards and Best Practices Handbook for requirements and recommendations.
State Code, Board Policies, and Standards for Credit for Prior Learning
Resources
- Best Practices for Serving the Student Veteran (CAEL)
- Prior Learning Assessment Handbook (Northeast Resiliency Consortium)
- Credit for Prior Learning (American Council on Education)
Examples at other institutions
Credit by Examination Tables
Experiences Eligible for Credit for Prior Learning Assessment
| Discipline Area | Institution | Course | External Experience Eligible for Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art | SUU | ART 2210 Digital Tools | Adobe Certification in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign |
| Biology | SLCC | BIOL 2320 Human Anatomy | Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) online assessment |
| Biology | SLCC | BIOL 2420 Human Physiology | Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) online assessment |
| Business | SLCC | MGT 1020 Distribution Systems | APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional Certification |
| Business | SLCC | MGT 2030 Small Business Management | Evidence that the student has operated a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration, in the capacity of an executive officer for a period of more than 12 months. The business must have achieved taxable revenue, be a legally established entity, have a public website with products/services for sale, and have filed a tax return. |
| Business | SLCC | MGT 2050 Legal Environment of Business | The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) CLA/CP certification. |
| Business | SLCC | MGT 2080 Employment Law | HR Certification – (e) Completion of an accredited Human Resources or Employment Law certification OR evidence student worked in human resources for a period of at least 12 months, or completion of an accredited Human Resources or Employment Law certification. |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 1110 Elementary Chemistry | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam/General Subtest |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, UU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 1120 Elementary Organic Biochemistry | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam Organic Subtest and Biochemistry Subtest |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, UU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (or Principles of Chemistry I) | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam General Chemistry — First Term |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, UU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (or Principles of Chemistry II) | ACS Exam General Chemistry — Second Term |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, UU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 2310 Organic Chemistry I | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam Organic Chemistry — First Term |
| Chemistry | SLCC, Snow, SUU, UU, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | CHEM 2320 Organic Chemistry II | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam Organic Chemistry — Full Year |
| Chemistry | WSU | CHEM 1130 Intro to General, Organic, and Biochemistry | American Chemical Society (ACS) Exam Organic Subtest and Biochemistry Subtest |
| Criminal Justice | SLCC, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | Special Function Officer (SLCC, USU, UT); POST Module I (UVU); Post Certification (WSU) SLCC CJ 1910, USU CJ 1060, UT CJ 1070, UVU CJ 1800, WSU CJ 1060 | POST SFO exit exam |
| Criminal Justice | USU, WSU | Basic Corrections USU CJ 1070, WSU CJ 1070 | POST BCO Exit Exam |
| Criminal Justice | SLCC, USU, UT, UVU, WSU | Law Enforcement Officer (SLCC, USU); Law Enforcement I and II (UT); POST Module II (UVU); POST Certification LEO (WSU) SLCC CJ 1920; USU, UT, and WSU CJ 1080; UVU CJ 1810. | POST LEO exit exam |
| Computer Science | UVU | CS 2600 Computer Networks I | Industry Recognized Credential |
| Early Childhood Education | UVU | EDEC 1640 Children’s Music and Movement | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Portfolio evidence and reflection |
| Early Childhood Education | UVU | EDEC 2300 Including Young Diverse Learners | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Portfolio evidence and reflection |
| Early Childhood Education | SLCC | FHS 2500 Child Development: Birth to Age Eight | EarlyEdU Alliance transcript: competency-based courses created by the University of Washington |
| Early Childhood Education | UVU | EDEC 2500 Child Development: Birth to Eight | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Portfolio evidence and reflection |
| Early Childhood Education | WSU | ECED 2500 Development of the Child | Child Development Associate (CDA) — Student may receive up to 6 credits total |
| Early childhood Education | SLCC | FHS 2550 Infant and Toddler Development | Infant and Toddler CDA certificate |
| Early Childhood Education | SLCC, UU, UVU, WSU | Intro to Early Childhood Educaiton SLCC FHS 2600; UU FCS 2600; UVU EDEC 2600; WSU ECED 2600 | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Early Childhood Education | SLCC | FHS 2610 Child Guidance | Early EdU transcript |
| Early Childhood Education | UVU | EDEC 2610 Child Guidance | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Portfolio evidence and reflection |
| Early Childhood Education | SUU | FLHD 2620 Play and Creative Experiences for Children | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Early Childhood Education | UVU | EDEC 2630 Literacy and Literature in Early Childhood | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Portfolio evidence and reflection |
| Early Childhood Education | WSU | ECEd 2640 Collaborating With Families | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Key Assessment |
| Early Childhood Education | WSU | ECED 2670 STEM in Early Childhood | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Key Assessment |
| Early Childhood Education | WSU | ECED 2860 Practicum in Early Childhood | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Key Assessment |
| Early Childhood Education | WSU | ECED 2890 Internship in Early Childhood | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Elementary Education | UVU | EDEL 2200 Intro to Education and Technology | International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) Educator Certification |
| Engineering | SLCC | ENGR 1040 Engineering Computing in Python, Excel, and VBA | Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP), lifetime certification. |
| Engineering | SLCC | CEEN 1400 Computer-Aided Design for Civil Engineers | Autodesk Certificate — Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting |
| Engineering | SLCC | MEEN 1005 Intro to Design and Engineering Systems Lab | SolidWorks Certificate |
| Engineering | SLCC | MEEN 1006 Engineering Graphics and Design | SolidWorks Certificate |
| Engineering | Snow | ENGR 1310 Solidwors Certificate | Solidworks CSWA Certification |
| Engineering | USU | MAE 1200 Engineering Graphics | Industry-recognized credential |
| Exercise and Sports Science | SUU | PE 1543 Advanced First-Aid and Emergency CPR | CPR/AED/First aid certification valid at graduation |
| Exercise and Sports Science | SUU | ORPT 1510 Wilderness First Aid | Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification from one of the following organizations: Wilderness Medicine Training Center NOLS Wilderness Medicine Wilderness Medical Associates International Desert Mountain Medicine SOLO |
| Exercise and Sports Science | SUU | ORPT 1542 Wilderness First Responder | Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification from one of the following organizations: Wilderness Medicine Training Center NOLS Wilderness Medicine Wilderness Medical Associates International |
| Exercise and Sports Science | USU | KIN 2710 Intro to Athletic Training | American Heart Association (AHA) Certification |
| Exercise and Sports Science | UT | XSCI 1340 Lifeguarding/First Aid | American Red Cross Certifications (First Aid, CPR, and AED) or Emergency Care and Safety Institute (First Aid, CPR, and AED); American Red Cross — Lifeguard Certification. |
| Exercise and Sports Science | UT | XSCI 1543 First Aid/Respiratory Emergencies | American Red Cross Certifications (First Aid, CPR, and AED) or Emergency Care and Safety Institute (First Aid, CPR, and AED). |
| Exercise and Sports Science | UVU | REC 1542 Wilderness First Responder | Any current WFR certification |
| Exercise and Sports Science | UVU | REC 2010 Avalanche Awareness | Any Avalanche Level 1 certification |
| Exercise and Sports Sciences | WSU | RHS 2300 Emergency Response | Red Cross Emergency Rescuer Certifications (First Aid, CPR, and AED) |
| Exercise and Sports Sciences | WSU | ESS 2300 Health and Fitness Evaluation and Exercise Prescription | NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification/American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Physiologist (EP) Certification |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 2020 CDA Completion | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 2300 Administration of Early Childhood Programs | National Administrator Credential (NAC) |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 2500 Child Development: Birth to Age Eight | EarlyEdU Alliance transcript: competency-based courses created by the University of Washington |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 2550 Infant and Toddler Development | Infant and Toddler CDA certificate |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 1600 Intro to Early Childhood Education | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Family and Human Development | SLCC | FHS 2610 Child Guidance | EarlyEdU Alliance transcript: competency-based courses created by the University of Washington |
| Family and Human Development | SUU | FLHD 2620 Play and Creative Experiences for Children | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Family and Human Development | UU | FCS 2600 Intro to Early Childhood Education | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Geology | Snow | GEO 2845 Drong Operations and Safety Certification | FAA Part 107 Certified |
| Music | SLCC | MUSC 2510 Music Composition for Games and Interative Media | Industry Recognized Certificate |
| Music | SLCC | MUSC 2570 Game Audio Design | Industry Recognized Certificate |