Fall 2021 > Academic Policies and Procedures > Transfer Credit > Non-Traditional Transfer Credit > Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

WCU may award a maximum of 30 credits for a combination of professional certificates, licenses, trainings, or work experience, and 42 credits for successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam.

Professional Certificates, Licenses, or Trainings

WCU may award a maximum of 30 credits for professional certificates, licenses, or trainings completed as part of the student’s work or educational experience. 

These include certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and licenses such as Registered Nurse (RN).  To be considered for evaluation, students must submit transcripts directly to WCU by the deadlines mandated for post-secondary official transcripts.  Credits must meet the requirements of the specific academic program for which it is being considered.  Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.  Credits earned through certificates, licenses, or trainings do not count toward a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Decisions regarding transfer credit by this method are made by the program Dean or Director at the campus to which the student is applying.  The program Dean or Director will review transcripts to determine what credit, if any, will be granted.  In addition to the university transfer partnership requirements, transcripts must be received by the deadlines indicated by the individual program to which the student is applying.  If transcripts are not received within the appropriate university or programmatic time frame, credit may be awarded at the program Dean’s/Chair’s discretion.

Experiential Credits (EC)

WCU may award a maximum of 15 credits for skills gained through work experience. 

This is attained through the completion of a portfolio that will be evaluated by the program Dean or Director at the campus to which the student is applying.  To be considered for evaluation, students must complete the following steps:

1. Complete a separate portfolio utilizing the Experiential Credits Portfolio Template for each of the courses seeking credit.Work experience must align with a specific WCU course and the course learning outcomes.
2. The portfolio must be submitted to the Registrar at WCU at least two full terms prior to a student’s graduation.
3. Duplicate credit shall not be granted to students who have completed the equivalent course at West Coast University.

The program Dean or Director will review the portfolio to determine what credit, if any, will be granted.  In addition to the university EC requirements, portfolios must be received by the deadlines indicated by the individual program to which the student is applying.  If portfolios are not received within the appropriate university of programmatic time frame, credit may be awarded at the program Dean’s/Chair’s discretion.

Credits must meet the requirements of the specific academic program for which it is being considered.  Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.  Credits earned through EC do not count toward a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA).