FAQs—Prior Learning Assessment
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There is a first-time, non-refundable application fee of $150 that must be paid when you submit your application. If you submit a second PLA request, you will not be charged again. This application fee can be paid by clicking on the “Account” tab, and choosing “Account Summary: Pay Bills” on your Student eCampus Website. If your employer will reimburse or pay for this fee, do not process this payment through the Web site. Email us at plac@phoenix.edu instead.
There is also a per-credit fee of $75 that will be invoiced to you when your credits are applied to your student transcript. The per-credit fee will be due within 30 days of the invoice. PLA awards credit in half-credit increments. Therefore, if you are eligible for 2.69 credits, you will be awarded 2.5 credits.
You may request to be awarded a specific number of credits prior to your evaluation. You must send your request to plac@phoenix.edu at the time your application is submitted.
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No. Once the credits have been awarded and applied to your degree program, the credits can not be removed or changed.
Before you submit your application, we recommend you contact your Academic Advisor with any questions.
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It depends upon the number of submissions the Prior Learning Assessment department has received. It also depends upon whether or not additional documentation will be needed to complete your evaluation.
On average, the PLA review process takes two to three weeks, but we suggest you contact PLA directly at 1.866.440.4704 (Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or email plac@phoenix.edu.
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There is no limit on the number of times you can submit a portfolio, and the $150 application fee only needs to be paid the first time you apply. However, we suggest compiling as complete of a portfolio as possible to maximize your credit opportunities.
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Associate’s degree students can earn up to 30 credits (15 credits from professional training and 15 credits from Experiential Essays). Bachelor’s degree students can earn up to 60 credits (30 credits from professional training and 30 credits from Experiential Essays). Additional state restrictions may apply.
We recommend that you speak with your Academic Advisor to identify the credits that you quality for before you submit your PLA application.
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If you submit professional training that isn’t listed in the Apollo Quick List or the Credit Recommendation Guide, it will be evaluated to see if it meets college-level learning. If it does, credit may be awarded. For more information, go to the Non-transferable, Skill-based List.
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You can submit official and verifiable documents that support your knowledge of the essay topic and subtopics, such as:
- Letters from employers, training providers, or human resource managers should be on official company letterhead with official title, signature and date of the person writing the letter. The letter must confirm your knowledge and experience in the essay topics.
- Birth or death certificates, marriage licenses or divorce decree (For Parenting, Bereavement and Loss, Death and Dying, Psychology of Divorce).
- Professional licenses and certificates that have not been submitted to the PLA and awarded credit.
- Letters from friends and relatives may be accepted, and must validate your knowledge and experience with the subtopic. Acceptance of personal reference letters is up to the discretion of the evaluator. These letters must also include name, contact information, and signature of the person writing the letter.
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Contact the Department of Education in the school’s home state and request a transcript, course descriptions or course catalog.
Need more information? Please contact us at 1.866.440.4707 or email us at plac@phoenix.edu.
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PLA: Prior Learning Assessment
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