KPU recognizes that students may attain significant learning at a post-secondary level through work, training, and informal experiences outside the formal post-secondary system. Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), KPU will grant credit toward a certificate, diploma, or degree for this learning if it fulfills the requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled.
Although PLA credit may be granted, a further decision on the applicability of the credits toward program admission or graduation requirements may be required. Students are advised to first review the requirements of their program in the academic calendar, and meet with an educational advisor if questions arise as to how PLA may satisfy program requirements for graduation.
Any student planning to transfer to a university or other post-secondary institution should be aware that PLA credit granted by KPU is not binding at another post-secondary institution.
How to Request PLA
- Determine the body of work for which you wish to request PLA credit, and the course it equates to as part of your program requirements. Course descriptions are available in the University Calendar: kpu.ca/courses
- Contact the designated Faculty Advisor for the course in which you are seeking PLA credit, as per the chart below. The Faculty Advisor will conduct a pre-assessment to determine if your request will be evaluated by a PLA Assessor. If approved, the Faculty Advisor will complete and sign an Application for Prior Learning Credit form.
- Bring your signed Application for Prior Learning Credit form to Student Enrolment Services on Langley, Surrey or Richmond campuses to pay your PLA assessment fee.
- Your request will be forwarded to your designated PLA Assessor who will contact you to select an appropriate assessment method, date and deadline. Acceptable assessment methods for each course are indicated on the official course outline. Descriptions of assessment methods are provided below.
- Your PLA Assessor will submit the results of your assessment to the Registrar’s Office, and your final grade will be recorded on your academic record and will appear on your academic transcript.
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KPU PLA Program Advisors Contact Information: Please note that effective January 1, 2017 Advisors contact information will be listed as name and email address ONLY. ~ Thank you |
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Faculty of Academic & Career Advancement |
Program Advisor |
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ACP Mathematics |
Tanya Boboricken |
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ACP English |
Sherry Schoenberger |
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ACP English |
Mark Diotte |
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Martyn Williams
Lynette Manton |
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Faculty of Arts |
Program Advisor |
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Anthropology |
Ken Stark |
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Asian Studies |
Colin Green |
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Creative Writing |
Nicola Harwood |
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Criminology |
Shereen Hassan |
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Education Assistant (EDAS) (formerly Special Education Teaching Assistant (SETA)
Educational Studies |
Sylvia Woodyard
Ann-Marie McLellan |
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English |
John Rupert |
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Fine Arts |
Robert Gelineau |
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Geography |
John Rose |
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History |
Alex Popovich |
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Journalism |
Beverley Sinclair |
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Modern Languages |
Sumiko Nishizawa |
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Music |
Zdenek Skoumal |
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Philosophy/ Humanities |
Bill Barthelemy |
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Policy Studies |
Ellen Pond |
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Political Science |
Shinder Purewal |
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Psychology |
Susana Phillips |
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Sociology |
Annette Reynolds |
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Faculty of Business |
Program Advisor |
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Accounting |
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Bachelor of Technology / CSIT |
Chris Leung |
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Bachelor of Technology / CSIT |
Andy Law |
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Computer Business Systems |
Marcelo Machado |
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Business & Quantitative Methods |
Bernie Neuhold |
bernie.neuhold@kpu.ca |
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Business Management |
Duane Radcliffe |
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BBA Entrepreneurial Leadership |
Chamkaur Cheema |
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Economics |
Don Reddick |
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Human Resource Management |
Doug Fletcher |
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Legal Administrative Studies |
Colleen Formisano |
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Marketing |
Richard Simon |
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Applied Communications |
Deirdre Maultsaid | ||||
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Public Relations |
Sabrina Del Monte |
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Faculty of Health |
Program Advisor |
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Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing |
Tess Kroeker |
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
Donna Malyon |
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advanced Entry |
Leeann Waddington |
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Graduate Nurse Intl Educated Re-Entry |
Sherilyn Sweeney |
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Health Care Assistant Program |
Sharon Leitch |
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Health Foundation Program |
Gurp Chahal |
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Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) |
Radhika Kumar |
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| Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture Program | Dr. John Yang | John.Yang@kpu.ca |
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Wilson School of Design |
Program Advisor |
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Fashion & Technology |
Lindsay Norris |
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Fashion Marketing |
Jimmy Choi |
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Graphic Design for Marketing |
Marge Damon |
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Foundations in Design |
Carla Wolf |
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Interior Design |
Brenda Snaith |
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Interior Design |
Lucie Gagne |
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Product Design |
Iryna Karaush |
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Technical Apparel Design |
Evelyn May |
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Faculty of Science & Horticulture |
Program Advisor |
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Biology |
Carson Keever |
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Health Science |
Jane Hobson |
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Chemistry |
Xin Liu |
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Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) |
Christina Heinrick |
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Environmental Protection Tech |
Paul Richard |
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Mathematics |
Judy Bicep |
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Physics, Astronomy, Applied Science |
Takashi Sato |
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HOPS (Brewing and Brewery Operations) |
Alek Egi |
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Horticulture |
Betty Cunnin |
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Horticulture |
Gary Jones |
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Agriculture |
Kent Mullinix |
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Sustainable Agriculture |
Rebecca Harbut |
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Faculty of Trades & Technology |
Program Advisor |
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Appliance Servicing |
David Fengstad |
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Farrier |
Gerard Laverty |
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Millwright |
Doug Wiebe |
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Public Safety Communication |
Tally Wade |
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All Others |
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Methods of Prior Learning Assessment
The following methods of assessment may be used, independently or in combination, to determine if the PLA applicant has met the required standards:
Challenge Exam
A test or exam (written or oral) that is designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to course requirements. A challenge exam may be the same test or exam given to students who formally attend the course. It is limited to questions that are directly related to the learning objectives/outcomes of the course, not to information that would be available only by regular attendance in the classroom.
Standardized Test
Similar to a Challenge Exam. However, someone from the department other than the assessor usually develops this test or exam. It is focused around widely recognized standards (as set by a department or professional/sectoral organization) that are equivalent to the course objectives.
Products/Portfolio
Documents or objects that have been produced by the candidate and demonstrate tangible proof of accomplishment. These may include, but are not limited to, reports, computer printouts, videos, illustrations, prototype models, or an artist’s portfolio. Students may be asked to demonstrate abilities or answer questions about the portfolio by the assessor.
Demonstration
Simulation or actual presentation of candidate’s abilities, which may be live, recorded, or videotaped. The demonstration may include, but is not limited to, such activities as presenting a speech, role-playing a situation, creating a document on computer, giving a musical performance, performing a lab experiment, interviewing a client, operating equipment, or completing a procedure.
Interview
Oral questioning. The PLA interview is focused around course objectives and may include techniques such as open-ended questions, case studies, and prepared analyses. The interview is used to clarify areas of learning, and may be used in parallel with other methods, as a sole method of assessment, and/or as a means to ensure authenticity of products.
Worksite Assessment
Similar to a demonstration. The candidate is observed performing tasks as a part of normal work routine, or as specifically assigned, in the place of work. Assessment is normally done by faculty assigned to a candidate, but may also be made by a work supervisor or field expert. If performed by an external assessor, may be followed up by a self-assessment and/or interview with a faculty assessor.
Self-assessment
Assessment performed by the candidate, usually with the aid of an established form or questionnaire. Normally requires a parallel assessment by a field expert and/or faculty assessor.
External Evaluation
Assessment provided by an expert other than KPU faculty. Assessment method may include, but is not limited to, performance evaluation, letter of validation, or worksite assessment, and may require follow-up by faculty.
Policy AC6 is the university’s policy on Credit for Previous Learning and can be viewed at the library or online at www.kpu.ca/policies for further details.
For updates to this web page, please contact Pal Trehan at palek.trehan@kpu.ca