Your effort outside of the classroom is worthy of credit
as much as the effort you put forth within. The key is identifying
those components of your prior learning that are similar to
what is taught in colleges. Trinity International University
recognizes learning gained through various life experiences
by awarding credit through Prior Learning Assessments (PLA).
This is an opportunity Trinity extends to all registered students.
Students needing to complete required credit hours toward
graduation may be eligible to petition for up to thirty-two
(32) credit hours. Pursuing credit through prior learning
is a cost-effective and beneficial way to accomplish your
educational goals. CLEP, Bible Challenge Exams, and Papers are defined by PLA.
Prior Learning Assessment seeks to acknowledge the learning
fostered by those experiences by examining what the individual
has understood and learned through the process of life and
all it brings to the individual. One key concept to note in
dealing with Prior Learning Assessment: it is not
the experience, but leaning from the experience that is assessed
for credit. One can experience an event, or a process,
or a period of change, and be able to describe the circumstances
that took place. Without recognizing the understanding of
the cognitive process that could result in learning is not
college credit. To earn college credit, one must evaluate
the learning that took place along with balancing theories
with the use of supportive materials.
PLA papers are divided into two categories:
1. Business and Professional Training (BPT): This
type of PLA demonstrates college level training experience
acquired through non-transcripted training such as conferences,
workshops or other credentialed learning. (This type of prior
learning demonstrates college-level learning acquired outside
of an accredited university or college from credentialed training
within professional organizations.)
2. Life Learning Papers (LLP): This type of PLA
is based upon learning received from a previous life experience
such as marriage, divorce, grief, parenting, etc. The experience
is not what earns college credit, but the learning from the
experience. (This type of prior learning demonstrates college-level
learning acquired outside of an accredited university or college
from life experiences such as marriage, divorce, addiction,
etc. Demonstrating college-level learning earns a student
credit, not the experience itself.)
Students intending to submit a PLA should consider attending a PLA workshop for detailed instructions. In additiona, the following templates should be used as a guide while writing PLAs. Each template is designed specificially for the particular PLA. Read through and follow the instructions carefully.
A petition form is required with each submission.
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