Is there a deadline to submit my PLAR?
Your completed PLAR assessment must be submitted within 3 months of receiving your assessment guidelines/instructions. In the case of portfolios or assignments, this means that your documents must be emailed to plar@algonquincollege.com within 3 months of receipt. In the case of an exam, you must schedule your exam date for no later than 3 months after being notified that your exam is ready.
If you require an extension, please provide a rationale to the PLAR Office by emailing plar@algonquincollege.com.
What is PLAR?
PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) allows you to receive course credit for non-academic life experience. This may include paid employment, community work, independent study, on-the-job training, volunteering, or travel and leisure.
Through PLAR, you can save time by taking fewer classes, and potentially finish your program more quickly.
How does PLAR work?
If a course covers material you already know, you can apply for a PLAR and request an assessment. This is called “challenging” a course.
You might need to write an exam, put together a portfolio, attend an interview, and/or complete an assignment. The assessment type is determined on a course-by-course basis by the academic area.
With the exception of general education electives, which are transcribed with a CR indicating credit, PLARs appear on your transcript in the same format as if you had taken the class. If a course normally results in a letter grade, your PLAR will appear on your transcript as a letter grade. If a course is normally graded as a pass/fail, it will appear on your transcript as a P or an F.
Am I eligible for PLAR?
Candidates for PLAR:
- Must be at least 19 years old or have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.
- Must be an Algonquin College student with a student number.
- Must not have failed the course they are challenging within the last 12 months.
- Must not have been unsuccessful with a PLAR challenge for the course they are challenging within the last 12 months.
- Must be approved by the academic area as eligible to challenge a course (see “How do I apply for PLAR?”).
How do I apply for a PLAR?
To apply for a PLAR, follow the steps below:
Research
- Review the course outline for the course(s) you are interested in challenging through PLAR.
- If available, check out the PLAR Student Resource Guide for this course to get a sense of what the assessment will look like.
- Complete a Self-Assessment Form for each course. Carefully consider how your knowledge and skills match up to the Course Learning Requirements (CLRs) found on the course outline.
Application
- If you feel comfortable with the CLRs of a course, apply online for PLAR, and attach your Self-Assessment Form(s). You will need to complete a separate application for each course.
- Await confirmation from the academic area that you are eligible for PLAR. This will come via email.
- Pay your PLAR fee ($90.70 or $113.61, plus an additional testing fee, depending on assessment type) over the phone, or online.
Assessment
- Work on your portfolio or assignment, or schedule an exam.
- Submit your assessment for grading, no later than 3 months after receiving your PLAR assessment guidelines/instructions. This will need to be in an electronic format and can be sent to plar@algonquincollege.com.
Achievement
- Within ten business days, receive the results of your assessment via email, and if successful, obtain college credit.
How does PLAR appear on my transcript?
PLAR grades appear on your transcript in the same format as they would if you had taken the class. If a course normally results in a letter grade, your PLAR will appear on your transcript as a letter grade. If a course is normally graded as a pass/fail, it will appear on your transcript as a P or an F.
General education electives will appear as a CR (“Credit”) on a transcript.
In the case of block challenges, level challenges, or multiple-course challenges, where a grade cannot be provided, credit will appear as a CR on a transcript.
A failed attempt at a PLAR will not be recorded on your transcript.
What if my experience is from school?
If your prior knowledge of a course is based on post-secondary academic experience, you should apply for a credit transfer rather than a PLAR.
You may be eligible for a credit transfer if you have taken a course at another institution that matches up to an Algonquin College course. You will need to have received at least a 63% in this course, and it may need to have been completed within the last five years. For more information, check out the credit transfer webpage.
Still wondering if you should apply for a PLAR or a credit transfer? Answer the questions in the flowchart below:
How much does PLAR cost?
PLARs are charged per course, depending on the assessment type. As of the Fall 2021 Semester, an exam costs $113.61, while any other assessment type costs $90.70. Exams taken at the Algonquin College Test Centre will be subject to an additional testing fee, payable to the Test Centre.
Can I PLAR an entire program?
Algonquin College’s Residency Requirement states that up to 75% of hours in a credential can be granted through PLAR. However, please note that for degree programs, no more than 50% of hours can be granted through PLAR.
Am I guaranteed a credit through PLAR?
While the academic area pre-screens your eligibility to challenge a course, this does not guarantee that you will be successful with the PLAR. As you cannot be enrolled in a course while pursuing a PLAR challenge of that course, and as PLAR grades may impact your GPA, it is important that you weigh the benefits and risks when deciding whether PLAR is right for you.
When is the best time to apply for PLAR?
As the PLAR process can take some time to complete, it is best to apply for a PLAR before you begin taking that course. Starting a PLAR late in the semester may be of some risk if you are at a graduating level, or if the course is a prerequisite for a course in an upcoming semester.
Can PLAR be used to make up a failed course?
Students who have failed a course or have been unsuccessful with a PLAR challenge of a course within the past year (12 months) will not be allowed to challenge that course.
Can I appeal my PLAR assessment grade?
You have the right to appeal a PLAR grade. Please consult PLAR Policy for further details.
Is there a staff rate for PLAR?
Staff are required to pay the usual $90.70 or $113.61 PLAR assessment fee.
As a student with a disability, can I receive accommodations?
Yes, students with a documented disability can receive accommodations for their PLAR.
Can I PLAR a General Education Elective?
General Education Electives are eligible for PLAR, but are unique in that they are challenged by theme rather than by specific course. All General Education Electives fall under one of the five themes below:
- Theme 1: Arts in Society
- Theme 2: Civic Life
- Theme 3: Social Cultural Understanding
- Theme 4: Personal Understanding
- Theme 5: Science and Technology
Before pursuing a PLAR of a General Education Elective, please ensure that the theme you’re hoping to challenge is eligible under your program of study. This can be done by checking out the course listing on your program page, or speaking with the PLAR Coordinator or your Student Success Specialist.