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 comparable course it may equate to as part of your program requirements. Course descriptions are available in the University Calendar: kpu.ca/courses
- Contact the designated PLAR Department Consultant for the course in which you are seeking PLA credit, as per the chart below. The PLAR Department Consultant will conduct a pre-assessment to determine if your request will be evaluated by a PLA Assessor. If approved, the PLAR Department Consultant 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.
PLAR Department Consultants Contact Information:
|
Faculty of ACA |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
ACP Mathematics |
Tanya Boboricken |
|
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ACP English |
Sherry Schoenberger |
|
|
ACP English |
Mark Diotte |
|
|
ELST |
Martyn Williams Lynette Manton |
|
Faculty of Arts |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Anthropology |
Sabine Stratton |
sabine.stratton@kpu.ca |
|
Asian Studies |
Robert Menzies |
robert.menzies@kpu.ca |
|
Creative Writing |
Aislinn Hunter Billeh Nickerson |
|
|
Criminology |
Shereen Hassan |
|
|
Education Assistant |
Allan Williams | allan.williams@kpu.ca |
|
Educational Studies |
Ann-Marie McLellan | ann-marie.mclellan@kpu.ca |
|
English |
John Rupert |
|
|
Fine Arts |
Ying-Yueh Chuang |
|
|
Geography |
Parthi Krishnan |
|
|
History |
Tom Thorner |
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Journalism and Communication Studies |
Chad Skelton |
|
|
Language and Cultures |
Olivier Clarinval |
|
|
Music |
Zdenek Skoumal |
|
|
Philosophy/ Humanities |
Brian Garrett |
|
|
Policy Studies |
Ellen Pond |
|
|
Political Science |
Ross Pink |
|
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Psychology |
Susana Phillips |
|
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Sociology |
Annette Reynolds |
|
School of Business |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Accounting |
Valerie Warren |
|
|
Bachelor of Technology |
Chris Leung Chinmaya Mahapatra |
|
|
Computer Business Systems |
Landon Kleis | |
|
Business & Quantitative Methods |
Bernie Neuhold |
bernie.neuhold@kpu.ca |
|
Business Management |
Lyndsay Passmore |
|
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Entrepreneurial Leadership |
Amanda Bickell |
|
|
Economics |
Don Reddick |
|
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Human Resource Management |
Judy Benevides |
|
|
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 |
Andrew Frank |
|
Faculty of Health |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Psychiatric Nursing |
Donna Malyon | donna.malyon@kpu.ca |
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
Donna Malyon |
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advanced Entry |
Donna Malyon | donna.malyon@kpu.ca |
|
Graduate Nurse Intl Educated Re-Entry |
Herraj Sandhu |
|
|
Health Care Assistant |
Nirmal Dhaliwal |
|
|
Health Foundations |
Joyce MacKenzie |
joyce.mackenzie@kpu.ca |
|
Health Unit Coordinator |
Radhika Kumar |
|
|
Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture |
Dr. John Yang | john.yang@kpu.ca |
|
Wilson School of Design |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Fashion & Technology |
Heather Clark |
heather.clark@kpu.ca |
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Fashion Marketing |
Jimmy Choi |
|
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Graphic Design for Marketing |
Carley Hodgkinson |
|
|
Foundations in Design |
Natasha Campbell |
|
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Interior Design |
Brenda Snaith Lucie Gagne |
|
|
Product Design |
Lindsay Norris |
|
|
Technical Apparel Design |
Emily Heaps |
|
Faculty of Science & Horticulture |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Biology |
Sherry Wilson |
|
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Health Science |
Jane Hobson |
|
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Chemistry |
Xin Liu |
|
|
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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Brewing and Brewery Operations |
Alek Egi |
|
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Horticulture |
Cameron Lait Jamie Lamont |
|
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Agriculture |
Kent Mullinix |
|
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Sustainable Agriculture |
Rebecca Harbut |
|
Faculty of Trades & Technology |
PLAR Department Consultant |
|
|
Appliance Servicing |
David Fengstad |
|
|
Farrier |
Gerard Laverty |
|
|
Millwright |
Brian Myette |
brian.myette@kpu.ca |
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, this test or exam is usually developed by someone other than the assessor. 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 registrar@kpu.ca