Policies

Prior Learning Assessment Policy

Policy Purpose

As part of the State University of New York, Farmingdale State College abides by the Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation Revised Policy. The policy regulates the award of credit by examination and other types of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) within the State University of New York.

Persons Affected

Faculty, Staff, Students, Third-Parties

Policy Statement

Matriculated students may apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) toward fulfillment of degree requirements at Farmingdale State College. The major categories of credit awarded by PLA are: 1) standardized published examinations such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), 2) military education and corporate training, 3) industry certifications and apprenticeships based on faculty evaluation, and 4) faculty portfolio assessment, and challenge exams prepared, administered, and scored by faculty. Each of these categories is described in more detail below. All disciplines may accept academic credit awarded through evaluation of PLA.

Credits awarded through PLA may be applied to the following three categories for matriculated students:

• Any courses in the major other than those that must be completed in residence
• SUNY General Education courses
• Other courses outside the major that may serve as elective credits

It is the responsibility of the faculty of each academic program to ensure the maintenance of academic standards of the program, the college, and SUNY in the Prior Learning Assessment process and to continually evaluate which program courses must be completed in residence to maintain the integrity of the academic program.

The limitations that apply to the awarding of credit by PLA are the following:

• Credits awarded through PLA are treated the same as transfer credits, not credits earned in residence at the college, therefore they do not count toward the minimum credits in residence that are required for awarding of a Farmingdale State College degree or certificate.
• PLA may not be counted toward fulfillment of those specialized program degree requirements that must be satisfied in residence, and therefore cannot be satisfied by transfer credits from another institution. These program degree requirements will be designated by the faculty of each academic program and communicated in their catalog curriculum display.
• Transcript entries for awarded PLA credit shall clearly indicate that the credits were awarded by evaluation of PLA, and these credits will not earn achievement points.
• A maximum of 6 credits may be awarded through any combination of transfer credits or PLA credits toward a graduate degree.

Basis for Prior Learning Assessment

1. Standardized Published Examinations:
   Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may be based on minimum performance levels on relevant published examinations that can be found on the Credit for Prior Learning web page.

Pre-approved course equivalencies earned on standardized examinations can be found here. Students will be required to submit their scores to Transfer Services. There would be no fee charged to the student for applying these credits.

2. Military Education and Training

Credits for military education and training will be awarded based on the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Training & Occupations via the Joint Services Transcript (JST) in the same way as transfer credits. Students will be required to provide an official copy of the Joint Services Transcript to Transfer Services for evaluation. There would be no fee charged to the student for applying these credits.

3. Industry Certifications, Licensure, Apprenticeships, and Government-Certified Training Programs

Credits for other experiences, such as professional and industry certifications, professional licensure, apprenticeship programs, and government-certified training may be awarded subject to the review and approval of the faculty of the academic program in which the student is matriculated. The credit evaluations will be based on the recommendations by nationally recognized external bodies, such as the American Council on Education and the National College Credit Recommendation Services. There would be no fee charged to the student for applying these credits.

4. Portfolio Assessment of Life Experience or Other Training Programs by Faculty Evaluation

Credit may be awarded by successful student performance on a written Portfolio Assessment that documents learning outcomes from life experience or other training programs that is evaluated by college faculty. Students will be assessed a fee of $40 per credit for each course where a portfolio assessment is evaluated by the faculty. Requests for a waiver of this fee may be requested, based on financial circumstances, in writing to the Provost. The Provost will forward the waivers to the President for approval.

5. Departmental Challenge Exams by Faculty Evaluation

Credit may be awarded by successful student performance on a Departmental Challenge Exam that is developed, administered, and scored by college faculty, and this may include written as well as oral methods of evaluation

Students will be assessed a fee of $40 per credit for each course where a departmental challenge exam is evaluated by the faculty. Requests for a waiver of this fee may be requested, based on financial circumstances, in writing to the Provost. The Provost will forward the waivers to the President for approval.

Procedures

The following procedures must be followed when applying for and processing credit for prior learning.

1. Matriculated students seeking credit for prior learning based on standardized examinations and/or military education and training must submit their transcripts to Transfer Services.
2. Matriculated students seeking credit for prior learning for all other purposes must complete the Prior Learning Assessment Application and submit it to the Chair of the department offering the course for which they seek PLA credit.
3. The Chair of the department offering the course for which the student is seeking credit by PLA shall review the submitted application and respond to the student within 30 calendar days.
4. If the Chair requires additional information upon review of the application, a request will be made to the student for more information relating to the application.

For Prior Learning Assessment Requiring Faculty Evaluation:

5. If the PLA requires faculty evaluation of a portfolio assessment, the below steps will be followed:
   1. The Chair will meet with the student and coordinate the faculty evaluation.
   2. The Chair will forward the application to Student Accounts to process the fee.
   3. Once the fee is paid, Student Accounts will return the application with verification of payment to the Department chair.
   4. The Department Chair will then forward the application to the faculty evaluator.
   5. The faculty evaluator will contact the student regarding:
      1. Required supporting documentation needed such as notarized copies of certificates, descriptions of training programs, letters from supervisors and/or instructors, or other official documentation of certification
      2. Templates for portfolio narratives based on course learning outcomes such as documentation and narratives demonstrating learning outcomes achieved through life, work, or other educational experiences
   6. If the credit for prior learning is approved based on the faculty evaluation, the faculty evaluator will notify the Department Chair.
   7. The Department Chair will notify the student and forward the completed Prior Learning Assessment Application signed by the faculty evaluator to show approval to the Registrar for entry into the student’s transcript. If the application is denied, the Prior Learning Assessment Application will be returned to the student with an explanation of the reasons.

6. If the PLA requires faculty preparation of a challenge exam, the following steps will be followed:
   1. The student requesting credit for prior learning will meet with the Department Chair regarding the need for a challenge exam.
   2. The Department Chair will then coordinate with the faculty evaluator regarding the preparation and scheduling of the exam, when appropriate. The challenge exam will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time within 30 calendar days of the Student Accounts verification of the student payment of the processing fee.
   3. Once the evaluation of the exam is completed by the faculty evaluator, the faculty member will mark “recommended” or “not recommended” and sign and date the PLA application form for return to the Department Chair.
   4. Upon confirmation of the evaluation process, the Department Chair will notify the student of the decision of the evaluator.
   5. If the evaluator has recommended awarding of the credit, the Department Chair will send the signed and dated PLA application form to the Registrar to authorize the awarding of credit.

7. Students may appeal denied applications 14 business days after receipt of the denial. All appeals should be submitted in writing to the Admissions & Academic Standards Committee (AASC).
8. If the PLA credit that is being sought required an evaluation that was performed by a member of the faculty, the faculty member will submit the UP-8 form for extra service compensation for performing this evaluation.

Related Documents

Prior Learning Assessment Application

Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation Revised Policy

Credit for Prior Learning

Responsible Office

Office of the Provost

Policy History

Amended Date: 12/11/2024