Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

What is PLAR (or RPL)?

Sometimes referred to as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) offers you the opportunity to potentially receive course credit for the related work, volunteer, and learning experiences you've had thus far. 

This is determined through prior learning assessments that may require you to provide a portfolio, take a challenge exam or participate in other types of evaluations.

Recognized prior learning: informal learning vs. non-formal learning

Informal learning experiences are defined as the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes you have acquired through life/work experience.

You can demonstrate your informal learning experience via:

• reflective journals articulating what you've learned
• letters of validation from employers or clients 
• evidence of volunteering leadership or community-based work 
• self-directed learning, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), certifications, and applied skills 
• learning through conversations (for example, interviews, attending talks, conferences, and similar engagements)
• mentorship or apprenticeship  
• reading (for example, what you've learned in books, magazines or online sources). 

Non-formal learning experience is acquired through non-credit courses, on-the-job training, and professional workshops.

You can demonstrate your non-formal learning experience via:

• workplace training records 
• in-house course certificates
• professional certificates 
• memberships in professional bodies 
• adult education classes  
• workplace training (participating in professional development training at work) 
• non-credit education  
• workshops and seminars.

PLAR eligibility

To be eligible for course credit, you must be: 

• an accepted student who has paid your non-refundable deposit or 
• a continuing student in a SAIT program. 

Credit will be successfully awarded if:

• 80% of the experience evident in your portfolio matches the SAIT course curriculum or 
• your pre-approved training has been assessed in the credit bank or
• you pass your challenge exam.

Recognition for prior learning may be used up to a maximum of 50% of the courses required for a SAIT program. (For example, 30 credit hours out of 60 required credit hours for a diploma program.) 

Please note not all courses are available for PLAR credit.

Portfolios

Portfolios are formal documentation and other supporting evidence that provides evidence of your knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes.

If you choose to compile a portfolio for PLAR, we recommend gathering as much evidence as possible, including a resume, letter of intent, employee pay stub for proof of employment and any other supporting documents. These documents are used to compare curriculum and award PLAR credits.

Credit bank

A credit bank is a list of available credit for pre-assessed training, workshops and courses from selected employers, training organizations and other continuing education groups.

You may be able to receive course credit if your experience has already been assessed and listed within our credit bank. One of our transfer credit advisors will let you know if this is available to you as part of the pre-approval process.

Challenge exams

Any SAIT student pursuing a credential can request to complete a challenge exam if one exists for that specific course. 

To be eligible, you: 

• must meet all course prerequisites
• can't use it for partial credit
• can't take it if you already failed or passed the course within a certain timeframe (usually 5-10 years)
• can only attempt it once per course.

There's a 50% residency requirement (meaning you must take a certain number of SAIT courses).

Once you select the challenge exam on your request, there will be a drop-down menu of approved courses with challenge exams available. If you don't see the challenge exam you're looking for, you can submit a new SAIT course for challenge exam consideration.

You'll get details about the exam date, location, fee, and course outline after you have submitted your request. You must take the exam within 10 business days.

How to request a prior learning assessment and recognition

Key dates and deadlines

To receive a tuition refund, the PLAR request must be completed before the course add/drop date. You may still submit a request after the deadline up to the midpoint of the semester; however, you will not receive a tuition refund.

The PLAR evaluation process for your previous education can take between 4-6 weeks, so we recommend you start the process as soon as you've confirmed and accepted your program seat.

_{*If your program begins outside the above semester start dates, your add/drop deadline will differ. Please contact your academic advisor to confirm your deadline.}

If you are registered in a course being evaluated, you should continue to attend the courses until a decision has been made on your PLAR request.

Costs

If PLAR has been identified as an option for you, you will be charged a non-refundable fee per course, regardless of the outcome, based on the following fee table.

Appeals

To appeal a PLAR: portfolio, review the steps in section 3M of policy AC.3.18.1- Recognition of Prior Learning - Credit Courses. 

To appeal a PLAR: challenge exam, review the steps in section G: Appeal of Marks and Grades of policy AC.3.1.1- Grading and Progression Procedure - Credit Courses. Appeals must be made within 30 days of receipt of your grade.

Related policies and procedures

• AC.3.1.1 - Grading and Progression Procedure - Credit Courses
• AC.3.18 - Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
• AC.3.18.1 - Recognition of Prior Learning - Credit Courses
• AC.3.18.1 -  Schedule A - Challenge Examination Process
• AC.3.18.1 -  Schedule C - Prior Non-Formal and Informal Learning Evaluation Rubric
• AC.3.18.3 - Articulation Policy
• AC.3.18.3 - Schedule A - Roles and Responsibilities