Your Life is Worth Credit

Use Your Experience to Further Your Education

Valuable learning occurs in many places, including the workplace, military service, professional training, community involvement, and life experiences. Many institutions recognize that learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. 

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) provides an opportunity for eligible students to earn academic credit for demonstrated college-level learning gained through work, military service, professional training, certifications, and other experience. PLA can be a helpful option for busy adults who wish to apply their knowledge and experience toward a college degree. PLA may help eligible students accelerate degree completion by recognizing demonstrated college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. 

Several institutions within the University System of Georgia use Prior Learning Assessment to award academic credit toward a degree based on demonstrated college-level learning gained through relevant experience. If you’ve served in the military, completed professional training, earned industry certifications, volunteered in leadership roles, or gained significant experience in the workforce, PLA may be an option for you.

What You Need to Know

Prior Learning Assessment is a process used by some institutions to evaluate college-level learning gained through work, military service, training and life experiences to potentially award academic credit.

After review and assessment, your demonstrated learning may be recognized and applied toward academic credit requirements. Some experiences that may qualify include job training, licensure, industry certifications, professional development, military service, community leadership, and volunteering. However, each institution differs in what it recognizes and how many credits will be awarded.

Your institution will work with you to assess your experience and may award academic credit for demonstrated college-level learning, when appropriate. Methods of assessment range from written examinations to PLA courses, interviews, training and certificate evaluation, and portfolio review. It is important to check with each individual institution to learn about specific requirements for Prior Learning Assessment. It is also not guaranteed that you will receive credit for your experiences, and this often depends on the number and type of assessment techniques utilized by the institution.

Is This for Me?

Prior Learning Assessment is for adult learners who have gained significant work and life experience that may be equivalent to college-level coursework. PLA is especially useful for professionals and current or former members of the military, who may wish to apply relevant knowledge and experience toward a degree. PLA may also help adults reduce the time needed to complete a credential.

If you are unsure as to whether PLA is right for you, visit an institution’s website to learn more about qualifications and assessment methods.

Get Credit Toward Your Degree

Adult learners may have the opportunity to earn academic credit for demonstrated college-level learning acquired through work, military service, training, certifications, and other experiences through a variety of Prior Learning Assessment options. 

If you are interested in applying for Prior Learning Assessment, visit participating institutions' websites to learn more about:

• Qualifications
• Course Credits
• Tuition/Financial Aid

Adult Learning Consortium Campuses

The University System of Georgia Adult Learning Consortium is a collaborative network of 23 institutions dedicated to improving services, programs, and outreach for adult learners seeking to begin or complete a college credential. Consortium institutions offer degree and certificate programs aligned with workforce needs in fields such as healthcare, public service, technology, and education. 

Adult Learners are encouraged to explore consortium institution websites and visit Georgia ONmyLINE to learn about flexible online and hybrid educational opportunities available throughout Georgia. 

Participating institutions support Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and other Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) options that may help qualified students earn academic credit for demonstrated college-level learning acquired through work, military service, training, certifications, and other experiences.