Looking to reduce the overall cost of your education and earn your degree faster? University of Phoenix’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) can put you on the fast track to both. Made for professionals and those with relevant experience, the PLA is redefining what it means to obtain an industry-relevant education. Read on below to learn how.
University of Phoenix was founded on the belief that everyone should have access to higher education. The University long recognized that traditional teaching models were not designed for adult learners. To close learning gaps and provide more relevant teaching that could better prepare students for work in the real world, University of Phoenix uses a combination of online learning and faculty who have real-world experience to teach the leaders and professionals of tomorrow.
Ease of enrollment and flexibility in scheduling classes are the hallmarks of the University’s programs. The curricula for each degree program offered by University of Phoenix are designed with adult learners in mind and can be taken as five-week courses. This approach has made it easier for adults to complete their course requirements. This way, students can work toward their higher education goals while simultaneously juggling other responsibilities, whether personal, professional or both.
Prior Learning Assessment
To help make a college degree easier for students to attain, University of Phoenix created the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) which evaluates students’ work and life experiences for potential credit. University administrators and faculty understand the value of skills and knowledge obtained during professional and community work. By accepting PLA and providing students with course credits for relevant experiences, University of Phoenix makes it possible for students to lower their tuition expenses and graduate more quickly.
For every three credits awarded for PLA, students can graduate five weeks faster and save approximately $1,200 in tuition. PLA students saved, on average, over $4,500 in 2020 at University of Phoenix.
How It Works
University of Phoenix students can use the PLA to obtain course credit for work skills and life experiences by submitting a professional portfolio, completing an experience journal or both.
Professional Portfolio
Create a professional portfolio that outlines the certificates, licenses and on-the-job training you obtained that may count as credit toward your degree program. Examples of applicable experience include IT certificates, services training such as police or nursing training, real estate licenses and more. Some certifications are worth more than three credits such as CIRM, the Certificate for Integrated Resource Management, which is worth nine credits, and CPIM, the Certificate in Production and Inventory Management, which is worth 12 credits.
Students can browse the full list of available certifications and licenses and use University of Phoenix’s job-related credit search tool to determine if current or prior employers provided on-the-job-training that can be used to save on college credits.
Experience Journal
Students can also complete a journal-style essay on approved topics to demonstrate what they have learned from their career and life experiences. The steps are simple: browse the pre-approved list of topics, complete an essay on what skills were learned and submit an entry for potential college credit. There are hundreds of approved topics to choose from including leadership, administration, stress management, parenting, communications and nutrition.
By making it easier for students to obtain credit for relevant training and experience, University of Phoenix is redefining what it means to earn an industry-relevant education. The University recognizes the value of skills and competencies developed outside formal learning settings, which are often characteristic of adult learners. In the process, University of Phoenix can help experienced professionals lower the cost of completing a degree program and shorten the time needed to achieve their higher education goals.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix was founded on the vision of making higher education more available to all, even to professionals with full-time commitments to work and family. With over 40 years of experience, the University continues to focus on meeting the needs of adult learners. Learn more about programs, career tracks, scheduling and opportunities to save on tuition and credits by visiting https://www.phoenix.edu/.
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