Prior Learning Assessment Network (PLAN)
Location: Marlboro Hall, Room 2102
Phone: 301-322-0437
PLAN is a program that enables you to receive credit for college level learning acquired through work, volunteer and other life experiences. The program includes several ways in which prior life experiences may be evaluated. These include portfolio assessment, challenge or competency examinations, ACE evaluations of business and industry and military training. A PLAN advisor will assist you in deciding which of these options is best for you.
Determine Your Eligibility for PLAN
Are you eligible to earn college credits through the PLAN Program? Complete this questionnaire and see.
Of the sixty-three degree programs at Prince George’s Community College, twelve enable adult learners to obtain maximum benefit from portfolio documentation through the PLAN Program. To determine if you could benefit, please answer the following:
- Do you have five or more years of work/life experience in a single field?
YES or NO? If NO, then you are not eligible to earn credits through portfolio documentation.
- Is your life/work experience applicable to one of the following programs of study leading to an Associates Degree at Prince George’s Community College?
YES or NO? ( view Catalog for 2002-2004; Chapter 10, Programs of Study for page references of program descriptions.)
- Art Option (pg. 79)
- Business Management (pg. 62)
- Computer Engr. Tech. (pgs 65/66)
- Computer Specialist (pg. 68)
- Criminal Justice (pg. 72)
- Drafting Technology (pg. 73)
- Early Childhood Ed. A.A.S. (p. 69)
- Forensic Science Tech. (pgs.76/77)
- General Studies (pg. 77)
- Marketing Mgt. (pgs. 90/91)
- Paralegal/ Legal Ass’t (pg. 92)
- Technical Support Spec. (pg. 69)
If you answered NO to question 2 above then it is very unlikely that the portfolio documentation portion of the PLAN Program could benefit you. However, you may benefit from taking standardized examinations (CLEP, Challenge and Competency). Call (301) 322-0147 for additional information.
If you answered YES to questions 1 and 2 above, then it is very likely that you could benefit from portfolio documentation through the PLAN Program. Please call (301) 322-0437 to sign up for a free PLAN Information Session held in Marlboro Hall, Room 2102.
Prior to attending the Information Session you must complete the following:
- Be a currently admitted credit college student. Complete the Application for Admission (Admissions & Records Office, Bladen Hall, Room 168) if not currently admitted. If you have had a two-year break in attendance you will need to apply for readmission. Any questions about what to declare as your major (curriculum or course of study) should be directed to an Adviser in Bladen Hall, Room 145.
- Have credits earned from other colleges/universities, military training, and training approved by the American Council of Education (ACE) evaluated by requesting your official transcript(s) be sent to the Admissions & Records Office. You must submit the Request for Evaluation of Credit from Other Institutions Form (Bladen 168) for any credential evaluation. Call (301)322-0803 for information. Allow a minimum of two months for transcript evaluation once your transcript has been received.
- Take the Sentences Placement Test and test eligible for EGL 100, Introduction to Composition. Obtain a Test Referral Card from an Adviser (Bladen 145), and Sample Questions and Test Information from Student Assessment Services (Temporary Services Building). Successful completion of Freshman Composition at any accredited college/university fulfills this requirement.
What Next?
- After the Information Session, you must meet with a PLAN Adviser to select the courses from your program of study (curriculum or major) for which you will be seeking credit.
- Enroll in CAP 105, Portfolio Development, (you must have prior approval of the PLAN Office) to develop a portfolio containing a description of the experiences that will qualify you for credit in each course you’ve selected.
- Meet one on one with your CAP 105 Instructor to fine-tune your portfolio.
- Submit the completed portfolio to faculty assessors who will determine if credit is to be awarded.
- You will be charged a modest per credit hour evaluator’s fee for each course you submit for evaluation.
- Take up to six months after the semester in which the CAP 105 course ends to submit additional requests for credit (not exceeding the 15 credit hour limit).
You may direct all questions concerning PLAN By E-mail:
PLAN@pgcc.edu