6.11.a PLAR for Academic Credit

Applicants, who can demonstrate knowledge and skills gained outside a formal education environment through work, volunteer, or other life experiences, may apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) if that knowledge and skill corresponds to a specific Humber course or program.

To receive credit for prior learning, an applicant will need to:

1. analyze  prior learning and achievements;
2. compare that knowledge and those skills to specific learning outcomes for specific Humber courses; and
3. demonstrate knowledge, skills, and learning acquired, as opposed to experience.

Requirements will vary from program to program and course to course. Generally applicants and students will be required to demonstrate skills and knowledge in one or more of the following ways:

1. development of a portfolio (a collection of materials that documents skills and knowledge);
2. demonstration of skills through role-playing or simulations;
3. written tests, oral tests, and/or structured interviews; and/or
4. completion of assignment(s) or development of product(s) designed to demonstrate specific knowledge and skills in action.

Failed courses are not eligible for PLAR challenge. Humber reserves the right to determine the PLAR assessment method for a particular course.

Applicants who wish to apply for PLAR must submit a PLAR Application Form with the required documentation and assessment fees to the Office of the Registrar. It can be found online: http://registrar.humberc.on.ca/ride2011/doc/PLARApplication.pdf.

Depending on the method used to demonstrate and assess the skills and knowledge the applicant has acquired, credits earned through PLAR will be recorded on the student’s transcript either as a percentage grade or as a SAT (Satisfactory) grade. Unsuccessful PLAR attempts will not be recorded on the student’s transcript.

PLAR grades that were obtained through a challenge exam will be calculated into the student’s weighted cumulative program grade point average (CPGPA). PLAR grades that were obtained through a portfolio review (SAT) will not be calculated into the student’s weighted cumulative program grade point average (CPGPA).  Students are granted only one opportunity to PLAR a course.

Credit for courses obtained through PLAR may normally replace no more than 50% of the course credits required for any degree program and 75% required for any diploma or certificate program.

Note: A reduction of course load as a result of earning credits through PLAR may affect a students’ eligibility for financial assistance through OSAP.

6.11.b PLAR for Work Experience

Applicants who can demonstrate knowledge and skills gained through previous postsecondary placements or work experience may apply for PLAR. The knowledge and skills must correspond to a specific Humber program and the Academic School responsible for the program must have available a mechanism for assessing work experience credit.  Students may receive no more than 50% of the work placement requirements (paid or unpaid experiences) once registered in a program. 

It may be possible to receive credit for prior learning for a work term.  Applicants will need to:

a) analyze their prior learning and achievement gained through previous placement and/or work experience; and

b) compare the learning value of the previous placements/work experience to the specific program level work placement standards.

Credit will be awarded only for demonstrated learning value and not simply life/work experience.  Specific requirements will vary from program to program but normally, applicants will be required to demonstrate skills and knowledge through the development of a portfolio (a collection of materials that document skills and knowledge against the degree level work placement qualifications standard.)  The amount of credit given will be determined by the assessment of the portfolio and the quality of the evidence provided.

Applicants who wish to apply for PLAR must submit a PLAR Application along with the required documentation and assessment fees.

PLAR work equivalent hours will be kept on file in the Academic School and combined with any remaining degree work placement credits before the completion of the work experience is documented on the student transcript as SAT (Satisfactory).

Note: Degree students who do not complete a work term, including any PLAR work credits, prior to the final academic semester of study will be required to defer the final academic semester requirement until the work term requirement is successfully completed.