College of Education and Human Development

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Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Opportunities

Students may now apply for potential credit for their prior learning and experiences for various programs within the College of Education and Human Development 51¸ŁŔűÉç Michigan University. This is a great opportunity for nontraditional students to showcase their prior knowledge and experiences, and fast track their undergraduate and/or graduate degree program.

Program areas

PLA credits are available within the following program areas. 

As a first step, be sure to review the PLA program details for your program of interest and then contact the program coordinator to discuss your prior learning and work experience. 

 

Early Childhood Education

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Early childhood certification seekers who have extensive experience in prekindergarten classrooms prior to their PreK internship are eligible for PLA credits.

Application must be submitted and vetted prior to the time they would expect to take their preK internship (ED 4090/4700).

Contact program coordinator
Learn more

Educational Leadership

PLA credits are available within five different Educational Leadership graduate degree programs:

  1. Ph.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Leadership
  2. Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership
  3. Graduate Certificate in Central Office Leadership
  4. MA in Ed. Leadership: K12 School Principal Leadership
  5. MA in Ed. Leadership: K12 School Principal Leadership and Interscholastic Athletics

Programs are offered in an online and traditional format.

Contact program coordinator
Learn more
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Educational Technology

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Eligible Educational Technology degree programs:

  • PhD in Education and Human Development with an emphasis in Educational & Instructional Technology (students can earn up to 9 of 21 Emphasis Area credits via PLA)
  • MA in Educational & Instructional Technology (students can earn up 15 of 30 credits via PLA)
  • Graduate Certificate in Educational & Instructional Technology (students can earn up 9 of 18 credits via PLA)

Programs are offered in an online and traditional format.

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Literacy Studies

M.A. Literacy Studies program allows graduate students to obtain credit for their prior experiences in the field. Students are able to obtain up to 50% of the total program credit hours.

Program is offered in an online and traditional format.

Contact program coordinator
Learn more
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Sports Coaching

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M.A. Coaching Sport Performance program allows graduate students to obtain credit for their prior experiences in the field. Students are able to obtain up to 50% of the total program credit hours.

Program is offered in an online and traditional format.

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Teacher Development

This option is for educators who desire to be in-house trainers in their school districts and have engaged in intensive professional development in their district.

Contact program coordinator
Learn more
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Workforce Education and Development

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Eligible Workforce Education and Development degree programs:

  • BS in Workforce Education and Development â€“ Occupational Education Studies Concentration (students can earn up to 30 credits via PLA)
  • PhD in Education and Human Development â€“ Workforce Education and Development Concentration (students can earn up to 9 out of 21 Concentration credits via PLA)
  • MA in Workforce Education and Development - non-certified (students can earn up to 15 out of 30 credits via PLA)
  • MA in Workforce Education and Development - certified (students can earn up to 18 out of 36 credits via PLA)
  • Professional Workforce Educator Program (students can earn up to 3* out of 9 Concentration credits via PLA)

Programs are offered in an online and traditional format.

Contact program coordinator
Learn more

General questions?

Have your questions answered and we'll get you connected with a faculty member in your program of interest.
Questions?

College of Education and Human Development
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5229 USA
Main office:  (269) 387-2960
Student services: (269) 387-3474

PLA Portfolio Development Course

Most students seeking PLA credits for eligible programs within the College of Education and Human Development are required to complete a “PLA Portfolio Development Course.”

The self-paced course explains the PLA portfolio development process, and the rubric criteria used to review your submission. You will develop and submit one or more portfolios as part of the course, and only upon submission of such portfolios will you be charged for the course. One portfolio is required per each course for which you are seeking PLA credit.

The cost for the course is $400 (which includes one portfolio submission), and then an additional $100 for each additional portfolio. This means the cost will be $400 for the course and 1 portfolio; $500 for the course and 2 portfolios; $600 for the course and 3 portfolios; $700 for the course and 4 portfolios; and $800 for the course and 5 portfolios. There is a maximum of 5 portfolios that can be submitted as part of one course.

If you do not receive credit for one or more portfolios submitted, you can review the rubric scoring and comments within the course. Using that data, you can submit each portfolio just one additional time, for a re-submission cost of $100 per portfolio.

All costs are non-refundable and such payment does not guarantee any credit awarded (with awarded credit dependent upon a successful portfolio review). Details for the initial portfolio submission, and a potential re-submission, are found within the PLA Portfolio Development course.

Note on course cost: students who are awarded PLA credit for one academic course (most of CEHD graduate courses are three-credits) see a significant savings in cost and time in comparison to enrolling in the course. For example, in the 2021-2022 academic year, the graduate tuition rate for Michigan residents is $703.48 per credit hour while non-Michigan residents pay for $1,055.22 per credit hour. For a course with three credit hours, the savings would be $1,710.44 for Michigan residents, and $2,765.66 for non-Michigan residents. 

The course is self-paced, so there are no registration deadlines. Once you complete the course and submit at least one portfolio, you can anticipate receiving the results of the reviewer’s assessment in about 30 days. That information will be located within the dropbox section of the course where you had submitted your portfolio.

Several days after registering for the course, it will be ready for you to begin the course. It can be located by going into “go51¸ŁŔűÉç” and selecting “Elearning” (upper right corner). Within that page, select the “PLA Portfolio Development” under “My Courses” (middle of the page). Remember, the course will not appear for at least three working days after you complete the registration form.

Register for the PLA Portfolio Development Course

Register

About the College of Education and Human Development

As the cornerstone of Western Michigan University, the College of Education and Human Development continues to build upon its rich tradition of excellence by facilitating the preparation and growth of pre K-12 teachers, human service professionals, innovative designers, and health and wellness specialists.