Course Syllabus
Course: GNST 1000
Division: Administrative Division
Department: General Studies
Title: Prior Learning Assessment Preparation
Semester Approved: Fall 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2026
End Semester: Summer 2027
Catalog Description: Students with significant levels of knowledge, skills, and experience can earn Snow College credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). In this course, students will prepare to demonstrate their learning on a rigorous Prior Learning Assessment submission such as a portfolio. The amount of credit awarded is consistent with established Snow College credit-hour parameters. Credit is variable. Course can be repeated. Students can earn a maximum of 9 credits through PLA at Snow College.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-9; Lecture: 0; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: none
Justification: USHE has been working with other institutions to establish a PLA approach for the state. Snow College has the expertise to implement PLA now and demand for PLA is growing across the industry. Soon all USHE schools will be offering it. Further, Snow College has existing partners who have documented demand for this option. Offering PLA will also serve rural and other underserved populations by increasing access to relevant educational opportunities. Being on the forefront of PLA in Utah will help Snow College secure its spot as a valuable and innovative institution.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will identify specific Snow College course or learning outcomes for which they are seeking to earn credit through PLA. PLA submission will include the list of Snow College learning or course outcomes for which students are demonstrating mastery.
Students will describe how their knowledge, skills, and experience have helped them meet the Snow College course or learning outcomes for which they seek to earn credit though PLA. PLA submission will include well-articulated written responses to prompts that explain how the student's prior learning has facilitated mastery of the outcomes for which they seek credit.
Students will provide verifiable documentation supporting their written responses to PLA prompts. PLA submission will include evidentiary artifacts that document that student has done what they claim to have done. Evidence can include industry recognized certificates, documentation of professional development, school transcripts, portfolios, photo evidence of participation, letters from supervisor, letters from colleagues, video evidence, audio evidence, DD214 paperwork for military personnel, observations, performance reviews, etc.
Consistent with credit hour norms, students will earn 1 credit for approximately 45 clock hours of relevant learning, work, or experience they can document. Two credit hours would require students to demonstrate approximately 90 clock hours of engagement, and so on. Total credit allowed through PLA is 9 credits or approximately 405 hours. PLA submissions will include logical quantification of the amount of time spent mastering skills relevant to the outcomes for which credit is being sought.
Students will demonstrate mastery by providing accurate responses to questions from evaluators regarding their PLA submissions. When asked, students will provide comprehensible verbal and/or written responses to PLA faculty evaluator questions.
Students will successfully submit a completed Prior Learning Assessment by the end of the term in which they are enrolled in the PLA Preparation course. Students will submit a completed Prior Learning Assessment no later than the last day of the term in which they are enrolled in the PLA Preparation course.
Content:
Snow College utilizes a consistent PLA template where students will provide detailed information demonstrating how their prior learning meets college-level course objectives. Scoring of all PLA submissions will be done by Snow College faculty using a specifically designed analytic rubric.
PLA increases accessibility for diverse learners as it provides a generic platform through which students can leverage a broad range of previous learning, work, and life experiences to earn college credit.
Students will demonstrate how their prior learning and experience meets the outcomes for the course for which they are seeking credit. Students will also be required to provide verifiable documentation to support their claims. For this course, we anticipate that students will be attempting Prior Learning Assessments to fulfill elective credit requirements.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students earn college-level credit by passing rigorous Prior Learning Assessment.
Prior Learning Assessment score 100 to 100%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Prior Learning Assessment Instructions
Prior Learning Assessment Template
Prior Learning Assessment Scoring Rubric
Pedagogy Statement:
This can be considered similar to a project-based learning course. It includes the core principles of the Standards of Educational and Psychological Assessment practices. Students receive coaching as to PLA completion requirements. Students are given the autonomy of student-directed learning and flexible pacing. PLA offers students from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to earn credit for knowledge and skills they have already acquired. Regardless of the time, place, and manner in which a student gains needed knowledge and skills, PLA provides a consistent and comparable way for students to earn college-level credit. Further, the PLA Preparation course provides students with guidance and support as they prepare their Prior Leaning Assessment submission. This can be considered a project-based learning course.
Instructional Mediums:
Online
Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 1
