Policies and Procedures for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Application and Admission Requirements - Undergraduate and Professional Program
(Terminology and Definitions)

Definitions:

Informal Learning - Learning gained through means other than a formal environment (i.e. life and work
experience).

Non-formal Learning - Learning gained through organized learning outside the formal educational
system (i.e. workplace courses).

Course-Based PLAR - A process where the student demonstrates and verifies equivalency of his/her
informal and non-formal learning to the stated outcomes of a particular course.

Program-Based PLAR - A process where the student demonstrates and verifies equivalency of his/her
informal and non-formal learning to the stated outcomes of a particular program.

Application and Admission Requirements - Undergraduate and Professional Programs

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students who have been admitted into an undergraduate program at UPEI may be eligible for credit
based on an assessment of their informal and non-formal learning. Typically, UPEI assesses prior
learning through a Portfolio, interview and/or demonstration process.

Fees
1. In course-based PLAR, the fee is one-half of course tuition for each course application; In
program-based PLAR, the fee will equal the tuition of one 3 credit hour course.

2. The fee for both course-based and program-based PLAR is a fee for service and will apply
whether or not credit is awarded.

Undergraduate Programs - Academic Regulations

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) at UPEI is a process of determining whether an
individual’s level of skill and knowledge, achieved through work, life, and non-formal educational
experience, is the same as that gained through successful completion of a course (Course-based PLAR)
or program (Program-Based PLAR). Academic credit will be granted if equivalency of skill and knowledge
can be demonstrated and verified.

Program-based PLAR is presently being offered in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) and the
Bachelor of Education Human Resource Development (B Ed-HRD) Programs. UPEI recognizes PLAR
within BIS, and Holland College recognizes PLAR within the B Ed-HRD, a joint UPEI/Holland College
degree.


Eligibility to Apply
1. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition is available to individuals who have been admitted
to an undergraduate program of study at the University and who believe the skills and
knowledge gained from their life, work, and non-formal educational experiences are equivalent
to the outcomes identified in an course or program at the University.

2. PLAR application will not be accepted when an attempt has been made within the previous five
years to earn UPEI credit for the course or for a similar course at another university.


Scope
1. PLAR opportunities will be available for the purpose of seeking credits toward a UPEI credential.

2. The total PLAR credit allowable is determined by residency requirements. PLAR credit, singly or
in combination with transfer credit, cannot exceed one-half of the degree requirements.

3. All UPEI undergraduate courses are available to the PLAR process unless there are special
reasons for exclusion.

4. Submissions for PLAR credit at UPEI can only be accepted where the learning equates to the
University’s own courses and programs.

5. For program-based PLAR, students may earn up to 12 semester hours of credit (4 courses)
through the development of a Program Portfolio in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program.
In the Bachelor of Education (Human Resource Development) program, students may earn up to
30 semester hours of credit. PLAR in the B Ed-HRD program is administered by Holland College.

6. PLAR credits will be documented to ensure that there is no double-counting between coursebased
and program-based PLAR.

7. PLAR credit, awarded in a certificate or other credential that ladders into a UPEI degree, will be
recognized in the degree.

8. Students may appeal the PLAR process by following the regulations for Academic Appeals as set
out in the UPEI calendar.


Assessment
1. Assessment for course-based PLAR will be administered by faculty/sessional member(s) identified by the
appropriate Dean.

2. Assessment for program-based PLAR in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program will be
administered by a three person panel identified by the Dean of Arts. The panel will be
comprised of two faculty members and one academic support staff member and will be
supported by the PLAR Coordinator.

3. The optimum time frame for assessment of a PLAR application, including communication to the
applicant in writing, would normally be three months.

4. Students, with the agreement of the assessors, will be given one opportunity to resubmit
portfolios not meeting the stated outcomes. The students must strengthen the evidence of
learning initially claimed and/or provide evidence of additional learning.


PLAR Credit
1. In course-based PLAR, a successful PLAR challenge will, at a minimum, meet the expectation of
good academic standing and will result in crediting a course on a student’s transcript with the
notation ‘P’. An unsuccessful challenge is recorded in the student’s file but will not appear on
the student’s transcript.

2. In program-based PLAR for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program, a successful PLAR
challenge will result in awarding up to 12 semester hours of credit (4 courses) toward the BIS
program. The courses will appear as unassigned 100-level electives on a student’s transcript with the
notation ‘P’. An unsuccessful challenge is recorded in the student’s file but will not appear on
the student’s transcript.

3. If a student changes his/her choice of degree program, PLAR credits earned toward the original
program are subject to re-examination to determine their possible applicability to the new
credential/program.

4. PLAR credits are awarded toward a specific, identified UPEI degree only.