Prior Learning Assessment

The American InterContinental University System offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program called AIU Accelerate® where students can have credits awarded for learning that has taken place outside of a traditional academic environment and applied to specific course(s) in the student’s program of study. It is based on the belief that learning happens over a lifetime whether inside or outside of school, and may occur through personal, professional, and life experiences; corporate and employer sponsored training; community service/civic leadership; entrepreneurship; interests and hobbies; travel; self-study, etc.

The procedures relative to the evaluation and awarding of PLA credit ensure that only collegiate-level, degree-applicable learning is eligible for credit; that both proprietary and external advanced placement methods, standardized examinations, challenge examinations, experiential essays, portfolios, and professional training/certification credit represent and demonstrate collegiate-level learning; and that such demonstrated competencies are comparable to student learning outcomes at AIU and consistent with the University’s academic policies and standards. The institution also recognizes credit may be awarded for emergent knowledge areas and perspectives which may not be represented in standard college curricula. AIU employs PLA Evaluators, Faculty, and Subject Matter Experts in the evaluation of prior learning credentials. In the evaluation and awarding of credit for prior learning, the institution adheres to Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) standards and guidelines and is guided by established prior-learning assessment practices in higher education.

PLA credits for undergraduate programs can be earned through multiple methods. Some examples include:

Standardized Tests such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Testing (DSST), Excelsior, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB)
Challenge Exams
Individualized assessment – Experiential Learning Portfolios
Individualized assessment – Experiential Essays
Industry Certifications; Licensure; Apprenticeship
Credits for Non-College or Corporate Training programs, as validated by The National College Credit Recommendations Service (NCCRS) or American Council on Education’s ACECREDIT service

PLA credits for graduate programs can be earned through multiple methods. Some examples include:

Industry Certifications; Licensure; Apprenticeship
Individualized assessment – Experiential Learning Portfolios
Individualized assessment – Experiential Essays
Credits for non-institutional corporate training - Evaluated through The National College Credit Recommendations Service (NCCRS) or American Council on Education’s ACECREDIT service

PLA Credit Maximum

Maximum prior learning credit eligibility is determined by degree level, but may vary if institutional transfer credit and/or military credit is also applied to the student’s degree program. Please reference the Residency Requirement policy for more information.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Students can earn up to 22.5 Quarter Credits/15 Semester Credits through PLA in an Associate degree program.

Students can earn up to 45 Quarter Credits/30 Semester Credits through PLA in a Bachelor’s degree program.

Assessment (PLA) credit is awarded for learning at the equivalent of “C” (2.0) grade or higher for undergraduate courses.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Graduate students may receive up to 9 Quarter Credits/6 Semester Credits, or up to 20% of the credits required for the program (whichever is greater), through PLA in a Master’s degree program.

Assessment (PLA) credit is awarded for learning at the equivalent of "B" (3.0) grade or higher for graduate courses.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Due to the varying credit structures of Certificate programs, the amount of PLA credit a student may earn in a Certificate program may vary. Please refer to the individual Certificate program page(s) for specifications.

PLA Credit Requirements

Life and learning experiences alone are inadequate bases for the award of PLA credit. Credit is awarded for college-level learning, and not simply for experience. There must be a demonstration that learning has occurred.

In order for such learning to be considered for PLA credit award, it must:

Be applicable to coursework required for the student’s enrolled program of study or appropriate elective areas
Be assessed as being similar to or meeting the requirements of learning gained through college coursework
Result in mastered competencies that are appropriately documented and substantially similar to the outcomes that would be acquired in the comparable AIU course. For undergraduate courses the learning similarity has to be at least 70%, and for graduate courses at least 80%
Be awarded only once for the same learning within a student’s overall degree
Meet the program or school’s quality criteria
Meet the equivalent of minimum grade requirements for the award of credits. Experiential Learning Portfolios and Experiential Essays must receive the equivalent of a “C” grade or higher for undergraduate, and the equivalent of a “B” grade or higher for graduate course credit awards
Be determined by faculty as to whether the credits apply to the lower or upper division courses in undergraduate programs, and whether they meet graduate level course requirements for graduate programs.
Be determined by faculty as to whether credits will be accepted in the core areas of the program based on the age and how long ago the learning occurred
The outcomes of the learning experience and evidence must be documented and validated

Additionally, PLA credits CANNOT:

Apply toward meeting residency requirements for graduation in all cases
Apply to Capstone courses
Be split or combined unless specifically recommended by ACE or NCCRS
Be guaranteed to transfer to other institutions. The University neither implies, nor guarantees, that Prior Learning/proficiency credits will be accepted by other institutions, as transferability of credit is at the sole discretion of the receiving institution. Instead, Prior Learning/proficiency credit demonstrates that students are proficient in the specific course requirement for the respective degree program of study.

The following rules apply to specific types of PLA:

STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS

Must carry an ACE credit recommendation (based on minimum cut-off score)
Other recognized examinations may also be evaluated at the discretion of the University
Official score reports must be submitted in order to be reviewed for a potential credit award

AIU CHALLENGE EXAMS

Students may only attempt a Challenge Exam once
Must be passed with a 60% or higher
Students cannot attempt the course for which they plan to attempt a Challenge Examination
A Challenge Examination cannot be attempted for a course in which the student is currently enrolled, has previously attempted (earned a grade, failed or withdrawn), or has other applicable credit posted

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PORTFOLIOS

Must be verifiable and documented
Must demonstrate a student’s mastery of the learning outcomes
Must be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert (faculty member) and determined to be substantially similar to the learning that occurs in comparable AIU course(s)

EXPERIENTIAL ESSAYS

Must meet all the documented requirements and standards for the essay
Must demonstrate student’s mastery of the learning outcomes
Must be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert (faculty member) and determined to be substantially similar to the learning that occurs in comparable AIU course(s)

CERTIFICATION CREDITS

Must be verifiable and documented
Must either carry an ACE credit recommendation and be comparable to an AIU degree requirement or appropriate elective, or,
If not ACE recommended, must be comparable to an AIU course, and approved by a Subject Matter Expert (faculty member) and determined to be equivalent to the learning that occurs in comparable AIU course(s)

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS, LICENSURE, APPRENTICESHIPS

Must be verifiable and documented
Must be approved by a Subject Matter Expert (faculty member) and determined to be equivalent to the learning that occurs in comparable AIU course(s)

PLA Credit Restrictions

While there are many situations where credit may be awarded for prior learning, there are also many instances where PLA credit cannot be awarded. Credit for Prior Learning cannot be awarded for any of the following:

Learning for which credits have already been awarded (in any category)
A course that the student has failed at AIU or any other educational institution. If a student has failed a class at AIU or at another institution, they cannot fulfill it through available PLA alternatives
Procedural training with no college-level outcomes or academic content
Remedial or developmental coursework (non-college level)
Meetings, conferences, work experience, volunteer work, life experience, and other events which do not have specific learning objectives or an assessment method that verifies learning outcomes
When it is not applicable to coursework required for the student’s enrolled program of study or appropriate elective areas

In addition, there may be situations where prior learning credits may be eligible, but there may not be room in the degree program to apply those credits.

Credit Transcription

A Proficiency (PR) grade is awarded for proficiency credit through prior learning assessment, which is different and separate from institutional and/or military credits.

There is no letter grade assigned and it is not factored into the GPA. However, credits applied are factored into the Rate of Progress calculation, which affects Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress section of this catalog for additional information.

For more information regarding the AIU Accelerate® (PLA) Program, please contact your advisor.

Up one level

Transfer of College Credit, Military Credit, and Prior Learning Assessment