Prior Learning Assessment

Ivy Tech Community College offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for students with select qualifications and expertise. Ivy Tech evaluates your credentials to see how much credit you are qualified to receive. When you earn credit through PLA, you may save a significant amount of money and complete your degree more quickly.

Work experience, military service, technical training service in AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps are all examples of ways you may have developed the experience and knowledge needed to earn PLA credit. The exact credit awarded is determined using one of three methods:

PLA Portfolio
A PLA Portfolio is a detailed documentation illustrating what you have been taught and how successfully you completed the work. The required documentation varies from course to courses, but may include samples of your work, an essay explaining your experience and knowledge, or certificates showing successful completion of workshops or seminars.

When you pursue PLA Portfolio Credit, Ivy Tech will assist you throughout the process. Faculty and staff members will help you determine which courses are the best fit for your skills and will help you develop your portfolio. The portfolio will then be reviewed to determine what credit you can be awarded.

Certification Crosswalk
Ivy Tech acknowledges certification credentials by providing a "certification crosswalk." This means that certifications may also qualify for college credit.

Credit by Examination
Programs like the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) give you the chance to prove your proficiency in general education areas like introductory math, writing, business, and science. these exams are available for just a fraction of the cost of a college course, and if you're in the military, you may be able to take the exam for free. 

Who can earn PLA credit?
PLA credit is available to students of all ages. You must be admitted as a degree-seeking student at Ivy Tech Community College to receive credit.

What's the difference between PLA credit and transfer credit?
You can receive transfer credits for classes you have taken at another college or university. PLA credit is earned when you prove competency in a specific area of study, including knowledge you obtained outside of a college classroom. if you have previous college credit, you can inquire about credit transfer by contacting the Office of Student Affairs at your local Ivy Tech campus.

How much does it cost to receive credit for prior learning?
The cost per credit hour varies depending on the PLA credit method that you choose. There is a $50 fee for each PLA portfolio you submit, for example, and it costs $60 to take a CLEP exam. There is no charge for your credit earned through certification crosswalk.

How much PLA credit can I earn?
You can earn PLA credit for multiple classes if you have the right credentials, experience or knowledge. In order to complete your degree, however, at least 15 of your total credits must be earned in courses taken at Ivy Tech, and not through PLA credit or advanced placement.