130 likes | 154 Views
Earn college credit for work, training, volunteer, and personal life experiences through the PLA Program at MTSU. Explore the benefits, features, and success stories of the program.
E N D
Middle Tennessee State University Prior Learning Assessment adcp@mtsu.edu
Prior Learning Assessment The process of earning college credit from learning acquired through a student’s work, training, volunteer experiences, and personal life. Earn College Credit for What You Knowby Janet Colvin adcp@mtsu.edu
Program Features • New program-First class F07 • Part of Adult Degree Completion Program • Block elective credit • Maximum of 30 hours • Specialization Area related to degree • Applies to 3 online degree programs only • Based on ACE evaluations • Portfolio • 3 credit hour 3000 level class adcp@mtsu.edu
Other University Assessment Programs • Military Credit • CLEP Tests • Challenge exams • Engineering Technology Portfolio • Global Studies • Nursing: LPN to RN and RN to BSN • Other department specific programs
ADCP Marketing • Radio ads prior to each semester • “Sales calls” to area businesses and organizations • Web site: www.mtsu.edu/adcp or www.finishmydegreenow.com or www.mtsuanytime.com • Newspaper, radio and TV publicity whenever possible • Internal marketing within University
PLA TOOLS • Transcript/learning evaluation • Web Site: www.mtsu.edu/adcp • PLA Handbook • Portfolio Development Class • Time budget work sheet • Orientation first week of class • Uses of Credit Agreement • Academic Plan adcp@mtsu.edu
Participant status • 12 classes/216 students to date: F07-F10 • 186 or 86% completed portfolios • Average credit awarded = 21 • 61 or 33% graduated with PLA credit • 71% either graduated or are enrolled in classes S11 • 65% were not enrolled at MTSU prior to PLA adcp@mtsu.edu
Why We Do It • Shirley • Chuck • Helen • Greg • Sam adcp@mtsu.edu
Shirley • Attended MTSU in the 90’s • Athletic Scholarship • Business Major • Good GPA and Senior Status • Stopped out due to personal reasons • Returned in 2000s as online student, but unable to take required Business courses online • Earned over 120 hours, but when major changed from Business she had too many Business hours • PLA credit for Supervisory and Worker’s Compensation training allowed her to earn enough non business credit to complete her degree. adcp@mtsu.edu
Chuck • Left MTSU in 80s to start a family and career • Needed 18 hours to graduate • Moved out of Tennessee • Faced with out of state tuition or 30 hours of residency at new state institution • Returned to MTSU online and earned enough credit from PLA for Concrete Management and procurement training to complete degree. adcp@mtsu.edu
Helen • Adult, online student, parent, full time police officer • 3.0 average taking 15 hours online each semester • Earned 28 hours of credit from PLA for Police Academy training • Graduated and is now in enrolled full time in online Masters program adcp@mtsu.edu
Greg • Attended MTSU off and on over past 20 years accumulating 19 hours • Wife earned PhD and pressure from his job to earn a degree • Completed 6 year apprenticeship program evaluated by ACE for 60 hours of credit • Awarded 30 hours of credit through PLA • Jump started his return to education • Now has 60 hours toward his degree adcp@mtsu.edu
Sam • Stopped out of private college in 1992 • Career/technical ed HS teacher • Aspires to be a HS principal • Spring 08: 9 hrs CLEP • Summer 08: • 12 hrs CLEP/challenge • 16 hrs classroom credit • 21 hrs PLA credit • Fall 08: 9 hrs classroom credit • Graduated Fall 2008 adcp@mtsu.edu