Prior Learning Assessment Credit (PLA)
Students may be awarded credit for college-equivalent education acquired through non-traditional schooling, work, or other life experiences. Such prior learning must be comparable to Community College of Aurora courses and must relate to the student’s declared certificate or degree program as outlined in college publications. A handbook explaining credit for prior learning is available online at https://internal.cccs.edu/wp-content/uploads/documents/PLAManual.pdf. You can also view the PLA Credit Matrix at https://placredit.com/pla_credit_matrix.csv. The PLA Credit Matrix lists the credit hours and course equivalents for many common standardized tests and industry credentials. For more information about learning what credit you might be eligible to receive based on your prior learning experiences, please visit https://placredit.com/#/home to complete the Colorado Prior Learning Questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, you will need to meet with your Pathways Advisor to finalize what credits you may qualify for.
Payment must be made before assessment is undertaken and cannot be paid for with financial aid funds. Awarded credit may be used to meet Guaranteed Transfer (gt) courses. If credit for prior learning is applied to AA, AS, or AGS-articulated degree requirements, transfer guarantees with baccalaureate degree granting institutions may be affected. Consult your Pathways Advisor or the institution you are transferring to for details.
A student relocating to another Colorado community college may have their prior learning credits transferred there as long as the course is applicable to the student’s declared degree or certificate. Students transferring to a college or university outside the state system of community colleges should contact that school to determine if CCA prior learning credits will be accepted. The Community College of Aurora does not guarantee transfer of credit outside the Colorado Community College System. Students may document prior learning through successful completion of any of the following:
Standardized Testing
CCA evaluates the results of standardized tests such as CLEP and DSST (formerly DANTES) for the possible awarding of credit. Official copies of the student’s scores must be sent by the testing service to the CCA Admissions, Registration and Records office. After evaluation, the student will be notified by the college if the scores were sufficient for the awarding of credit.
For information concerning minimum score and credit transferability, contact CCA's Credentials Evaluator at 303-360-4710.
CLEP and DSST testing services are available in the Community College of Aurora Testing Center. See Testing Services in the Services for Students section for more information.
Portfolio of Learning Outcomes
Students may petition the college for credit by developing a portfolio that describes and documents relevant prior learning comparable to that gained in CCA courses. Faculty in the appropriate program area will evaluate the portfolio and award credit commensurate with the learning experience. No more than one portfolio evaluation for a particular course per student will be arranged during any one semester. Each course must be in the college curriculum and must be part of the student’s certificate or degree requirements. The cost for a portfolio evaluation is $65.00 per credit hour (less the COF share of tuition) and payment must be made prior to the evaluation. Although credit for experience demonstrated by portfolio could count towards graduation from CCA, other colleges will have their own evaluation procedures for portfolio work and may not accept this credit in transfer.
Challenge Examinations
Students may challenge a course, provided they are not enrolled in that course, by taking a comprehensive examination. Students must first meet with a Pathways Advisor, then with their appropriate academic dean. No more than one challenge of a particular course will be arranged during any one semester. The cost is $45.00 per credit hour (less the COF share of tuition) and payment must be made prior to the examination. Successfully completed challenge exams will count towards applicable CCA courses, but may not transfer outside of CCA. Please consult a CCA Pathways Advisor or your transfer school for additional information.
Evaluation Using Published Guides
Students desiring credit for formal training courses completed through the U.S. Armed Forces, corporate training programs or at other postsecondary education institutions may receive credit for these classes if they are listed in the American College of Education (ACE) guide, which is used by CCA to evaluate this type of prior learning. There is no charge for this method of evaluation.
