PLAR Policies

PLAR terminology

Informal learning - Learning gained through means other than a formal environment (e.g., life and work experience).
 
Non-formal learning - Learning gained through organized learning opportunities outside the formal educational system (e.g., workplace courses)
 
Course-based PLAR - A process where the student demonstrates and verifies equivalency of his/her information and non-formal learning to the stated outcomes of a particular course.
 
Program-based PLAR - A process where the student demonstrates and verifies equivalency of his/her informal and non-formal learning to the stated outcomes of a particular program.

PLAR fees

In course-based PLAR, the fee is one-half of course tuition for each course application. In program-based PLAR, the fee will equal the tuition of one three (3) credit-hour course.

The fee for both course-based and program-based PLAR is a fee for service and will apply whether or not credit is awarded.

PLAR regulations

Eligibility

  1. PLAR is available to individuals who have been admitted to an undergraduate program of study at the University and who believe the skills and knowledge gained from their life, work, and non-formal educational experiences are equivalent to the outcomes identified in a course of program at the University.
  2. PLAR application will not be accepted when an attempt has been made within the previous five years to earn UPEI credit for the course or for a similar course at another university.

Scope

  1. PLAR opportunities will be available for the purpose of seeking credits toward a UPEI credential. 
  2. The total PLAR credit allowable is determined by residency requirements. PLAR credit, singly or in combination with transfer credit, cannot exceed one-half of the degree requirements.
  3. All UPEI undergraduate courses are available to the PLAR process unless there are special reasons for exclusion.
  4. Submissions for PLAR credit at UPEI can only be accepted where the learning equates to the University's own courses and programs.
  5. For program-based PLAR, students may earn up to 12 semester hours of credit (4 courses) through the development of a Program Portfolio in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program. In the Bachelor of Education (Human Resource Development) program, students may earn up to 30 semester hours of credit. PLAR in the BEd - HRD program is administered by Holland College.
  6. PLAR credits will be documented to ensure that there is no double-counting between course-based and program-based PLAR.
  7. PLAR credit, awarded in a certificate or other credential that ladders into a UPEI degree, will be recognized in the degree.
  8. Students may appeal the PLAR process by following the regulations for Academic Appeals as set out in the UPEI calendar.

Assessment

  1. Assessment for course-based PLAR will be administered by faculty or sessional members identified by the appropriate Dean.
  2. Assessment for program-based PLAR in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program will be administered by a three-person panel identified by the Dean of Arts. The panel will be comprised of two faculty or sessional members and one academic support staff member and will be supported by the PLAR Coordinator.
  3. The optimum time frame for assessment of a PLAR application, including communication to the applicant in writing, would normally be three months.
  4. Students, with the agreement of the assessors, will be given one opportunity to resubmit portfolios not meeting the stated outcomes. The students must strengthen the evidence of learning initially claimed and/or provide evidence of additional learning.

PLAR credit

  1. In course-based PLAR, a successful PLAR challenge will, at a minimum, meet the expectation of good academic standing and will result in crediting a course on a student's transcript with the notation 'P'. An unsuccessful challenge is recorded in the student's file but will not appear on the student's transcript.
  2. In program-based PLAR for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program, a successful PLAR challenge will result in awarding up to 12 semester hours of credit (4 courses) toward the BIS program. The courses will appear as unassigned 1000-level electives on a student's transcript with the notation 'P'. An unsuccessful challenge is recorded in the student's file but will not appear on the student's transcript.
  3. If a student changes his/her choice of degree program, PLAR credits earned toward the original program are subject to re-examination to determine their possible applicability to the new credential/program.
  4. PLAR credits are awarded toward a specific, identified UPEI degree only.
Integrated Studies

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