PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT - Midstate College

OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN CREDITPRIOR LEARNING PORTFOLIOSThrough the prior learning portfolio process, credit requestsare evaluated by specific content experts for creditrecommendations. Upon completion of your work, yourfinal portfolio is presented.INFORMATION MEETINGSLearn more about how you can spend less time and moneyearning your degree. Contact the Prior Learning AssessmentOffice or visit the calendar on our website for the timeand location of the next PLA information meeting. Grouppresentations available upon request.PRIOR LEARNINGASSESSMENTCREDIT BY EXAMINATIONCollege credit may be achieved through recognized examinationprograms including DANTES and CLEP. Details areavailable from Midstate’s Prior Learning Assessment Office.CORPORATE TRAININGCorporate training, seminars and workshops approved bythe American Council on Education may transfer as creditto be used in your degree plan.MILITARY TRAININGMilitary training approved by the American Council on Educationmay transfer as credit to be used in your degree plan.NEXT STEPContact Midstate College today. Personalized academicadvising is the key to creating your optimal degree plan. Anadvisor will answer questions about designing your academicprogram and provide you with information about admissions,transfer credits, financial aid, scholarships and prior learningassessment.WAYNE HOLLYDirector of General Studies,Prior Learning AssessmentPhone: (309) 692-4092 ext. 3001Fax: (309) 692-3893Email:wholly@midstate.eduLEARNING ASSESSMENT OFFICETRANSFER CREDITSCourses completed at other accredited colleges oruniversities will be evaluated for possible credit in your degree.A student may earn up to 25% of the total credits for adegree through prior learning experience, in addition totransfer credits. Please refer to the current catalog for moreinformation.4.13Learning Assessment Office411 West Northmoor RoadPeoria, Illinois 61614Phone: 309.692.4092Fax: 309.692.4966Email: PriorLearning@midstate.edu

TIME IS VALUABLEAccelerate your education through Midstate College’s PriorLearning Assessment Office. You can earn credit toward yourdegree by documenting the knowledge you have gainedduring years of work and life-long learning. Corporate and onthe-jobtraining, community service, volunteer work, seminars,military training, workshops, travel, study and independentresearch are among the many areas that can be evaluatedfor credit toward your degree.PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENTFocus on what you know. Learn how to document it. PriorLearning Assessment (PLA) gives you the tools to jump-startyour degree.Step 1Development of your education plan begins in the PriorLearning Assessment Office, the first step in the PLA process,where you will:• clarify your educational goals and priorities;• develop a personal plan with specific objectives; and• discover how many college credits you may earn for yourprior learning.SIX WAYS TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT1. Prior Learning Portfolio: Document your experiential learningwith a portfolio presentation.2. Credit by Examination: Verify your mastery of a subjectthrough recognized testing programs (CLEP, DANTES, etc.).The Prior Learning Assessment Office offers programs andservices to assist you with:• reducing the time it takes to finish your studies;• decreasing the cost of your undergraduate degree;Step 2Next, the Portfolio Development Workshop teaches you howto articulate your experiential learning and provides instructionfor developing a portfolio of individual submissions. You willdescribe, analyze and document your knowledge of subjectswithin an academic framework.Step 3Portfolio Development Workshop consists of individualizedtutorials where you receive one-on-one instruction andguidance. The PLA Director will meet with you regularly andreview your work.3. Corporate Seminars and Workshops: Apply toward yourdegree when approved by the American Council onEducation.4. Military Training: Convert training to college credit whenvalidated by the American Council on Education.5. Classes from other accredited institutions: Submit yourtranscripts to be evaluated (Transfer Coordinator willdetermine which credits are transferable).6. Midstate coursework: Complete on campus or online.• improving your writing and research skills;• learning more about what you already know;• discovering how your learning from past experiencecan equal college credit; and• receiving credit for your documented college-levellearning.