What is PLAR?

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is based on a tested process and set of mechanisms for the recognition of learning that you have acquired from life experience, workplace or volunteer experience, job training, workshops, seminars or other experience.

PLAR or RPL can be defined differently at each post-secondary Institution. Alternative assessment practice may involve the evaluation of post-secondary education completed elsewhere, challenge for credit, academic-style portfolio development and assessment, and more. At AU, prior post-secondary education is evaluated as a part of a student's undergraduate program application through their transfer credit evaluation. Specific courses may be sought through AU's challenge for credit process.

AU's PLAR process involves the development and assessment of an academic-style portfolio seeking credit for academic knowledge gained through work or volunteer experience.

Some conditions for aligning work experience with academic knowledge for PLAR purposes can include:

• Demonstrating knowledge or informed data related to your program.
• Explaining how you apply program or course specific theories and concepts within your work.
• Analyzing using data, theories, and concepts.
• Communicating your understanding of theories, concepts, and analytical practice specific to your field with clarity, conciseness, and precision.
• Integrating seemingly unrelated, parallel, or common materials and/or practices into your work.
• Demonstrating ability to debate, discuss, dispute, or prove concepts/viewpoints with colleagues or managers.
• Demonstrating how data or ideas may be ordered, scaled, prioritized, or categorized.

If you are interested in understanding more about PLAR's role as a social learning tool, please read Defining Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (DOC - 39 KB).

See “What PLAR is not” for an understanding of conditions for which you may not gain PLAR credit.