Welcome to Prior Learning Assessment at Kauaʻi Community College
Receive college credit for what you already know!
Not all learning takes place in a classroom. Kaua`i Community College recognizes that you might have gained significant knowledge through your previous employment, military service, independent study or personal experiences that’s equivalent to college-level work. Students may be able to earn up to 48 credits through Prior Learning Assessment if their learning matches requirements for courses taught at the college.
Make an appointment today to learn if you might qualify for college credit.
What is Prior Learning Assessment?
Prior Learning Assessment allows students to earn college credit by identifying and documenting college-level learning acquired through life experiences. These experiences may have been gained from military service, on the job, professional certification courses, volunteer work, or independent study.
If you have a significant background (or expertise) in "any" subject area taught at Kaua`i Community College, you may already qualify for college credit.
There are four ways to earn PLA credit: (More detail information here)
- Credit by Institutional Exam
An instructor can test you to see if you have the knowledge to pass a course offered at Kaua`i CC.
- National Standardized Equivalency Exams
You can take a national standardized test like CLEP or DANTES on any subject corresponding to a course taught at Kaua`i CC.
- Portfolio-Based Assessment
You can create a detailed portfolio documenting your past learning and accomplishments.
- Non-Collegiate Sponsored Education
You can apply to get credit for formal training you've taken elsewhere, such as through the military, your employer, or while pursuing professional licenses or industry certifications.
Important: Some courses at Kaua'i CC are not eligible for PLA credit. Please check with your academic counselor.
Getting Started
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To receive PLA credit at Kaua`i CC, you must go through a formal application procedure. Your prior learning will be evaluated by faculty teaching the course(s) you want credit for.
This program was funded by a grant awarded by the US Department of Labor. This product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the US Department of Labor. The US Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties or assurances of any kind express or implied, with respect to such information including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funding does not pay for student costs to participate.
Follow these steps:
- Schedule an appointment with your academic counselor.
- Decide with your counselor which Kaua`i CC courses you want prior learning credit for and which PLA method to use.
- Fill out the relevant PLA Request Form.
- Discuss your PLA request with the appropriate faculty member and secure required signatures on the request form.
- Pay the required fees.
- Gather evidence of your prior learning if you are applying for non-collegiate sponsored education or portfolio credit.
Note: Each type of PLA has specific procedures associated with it. Please read Four Ways to Earn Credit.
You will save money by earning credit for prior learning, compared to the cost of equivalent credit earned in the classroom
Type of Prior Learning Assessment
- Credit by Institutional Exam (CBIE): Fee - Equivalent to 50% regular tuition for course credit hours attempted (for example, 3 credits = $189)
- National Standardized Equivalency Exam (NSEE): Fee - charged by testing institution plus any Kauai CC Testing Center fees, if applicable.
- Non-Collegiate Sponsored Education (Not already on NCSE approved list): No fee
- Non-Collegiate Sponsored Education (Previously evaluated and on approved NCSE list.): No fee
- Portfolio: Equivalent to 60% regular tuition for course credit hours attempted
Is Prior Learning Assessment right for me?
Ask yourself the following questions Yes or Not:
Is at least ONE of the following true?
- I have at least five years of work experience relevant to a program at Kaua`i CC.
- I am a veteran.
- I have five or more years of volunteer experience or have conducted rigorous independent study relevant to a Kaua`i CC program.
- I have completed a professional or academic training program for which I did not receive academic credit.
- I am fluent in a language taught at Kaua`i CC.
- I can relate my prior work experience or learning to a specific Kaua’i CC course.
- I can document my learning.
(Documentation is not required if you are applying to test out of a course, but it is required for portfolio and NCSE applications.) Examples of appropriate documentation include, but are not limited to the following:- A job description
- Work samples
- Transcripts and course descriptions
- Certificates of completion
- Awards
- Letters from employers or others who will attest to your expertise.
- An annotated bibliography of readings completed.
- My learning can be applied in situations other than the one in which it was acquired.
- I have not received college credit for this prior learning.
How do I apply for Prior Learning credit?
You need to start the process by visiting your academic counselor. Your counselor will direct you to seek approval from the faculty member offering the course you want credit for. See "Procedures" for more information.
What if I'm not yet a student?
You must be enrolled in Kaua`i CC to receive PLA credit. If you aren't yet a student, contact Student Services for information.
Will all of my life experience count toward PLA credit?
You can only receive credit at Kaua`i CC for courses offered by the college.
How much does PLA cost?
You will pay less for prior learning credit than for taking a course on campus. See Fees for more information.
I have years of experience and training but Kaua`i CC doesn't offer a program in my field.
You might be able to receive PLA credit at another UH campus that does offer a relevant program. Talk to your academic counselor.
How much Prior Learning credit can I get?
Currently, there is no limit to how much PLA credit can be earned*. However, PLA credit does not meet the graduation residency requirement. Students must meet the college's residency requirement to earn a certificate or degree. Please refer to the College Catalog for the residency requirement.
Will PLA credits count toward my GPA?
No. You do not get a grade for PLA credit.
Can I transfer PLA credit to another college?
Not all schools accept all forms of PLA. If you plan to transfer to another institution of higher learning, including another UH campus, it would be wise to check with that school about how they will evaluate your prior learning credit. Talk to your academic counselor about this.
* In a 60-credit Associate's program with a 12-credit residency requirement, PLA will normally be limited to 48 credit hours.