At UA Little Rock, we value the life experiences of our students and are committed to helping working and adult learners achieve their higher education goals. We are proud to offer pathways for certain experiences to be counted toward graduation requirements through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). PLA is the evaluation and assessment of an individual’s life learning for college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education or training.

Prior Learning Assessment Programs and Policies in Accordance with UA Little Rock Policy 517.1 – Transfer of Credit

UA Little Rock recognizes several methods for earning university credit for undergraduate and graduate-level learning, including rigorous high school curricula, professional or military experience, professional licensures and certifications, and work experiences.

To receive university credit, these competencies must undergo systematic evaluation against established program or course learning outcomes. Graduate programs will specify if they will accept PLA, what forms of PLA they will accept, and the maximum percentage or number of hours they will accept.

  • A student may earn up to 50% of the program’s degree requirements through PLA (excluding the General Education Core); however, some academic programs may impose a lower maximum for PLA credits.
  • The PLA credit awarded for a specific program of study may not be recognized if the student changes majors, programs, or transfers to another institution. Portfolio and licensure credit may not be applied to the General Education Core.
  • Finally, PLA credit may not be awarded for senior theses or projects, thesis hours, dissertation hours, field research, or field professional experience hours.

  • To be eligible for PLA, the student must be currently admitted and/or enrolled in the university and in good standing.
  • All PLA credits must be awarded before the student’s last semester before graduation. Prior learning credits will be noted on the student’s transcript as having been awarded through PLA.
  • Credit through PLA is not recorded as grades on the student’s transcript and does not affect the student’s GPA.

  • Credit through PLA cannot replace a failing grade.
  • Credit may only be awarded for courses applicable to the student’s declared degree plan.
  • A student may not receive credit twice for a course awarded through PLA.
  • PLA credits do not count toward the residency requirement for the student’s degree program.
  • PLA credits do not satisfy eligibility requirements for financial aid or loan deferment.

Program:Contact:
Bachelor in Applied Science:501-916-5923
Computer Science and Cybersecurity:501-916-3130
Construction Management:501-916-3133
Criminal Justice: 501-916-3195
Information Sciences:501-916-3951
Word Languages:501-916-3272

  1. The student will apply for portfolio review with the PLA coordinator in the Records & Registration Department,
  2. Student pays all applicable review fees,
  3. The student will be informed of the program-specific requirements of portfolio assessment.
    • At a minimum, the portfolio will include:
      • the PLA application,
      • student resume with relevant information,
      • course syllabus,
      • a summary statement directly linking the course learning objectives to specific resume information,
      • and a longer narrative with any necessary supporting evidence and documentation demonstrating satisfaction of all course learning objectives.
  4. The student will submit their portfolio to the PLA coordinator, who will ensure the portfolio is ready for final review.

    ***Portfolios will not be accepted for review until the portfolio application, advising, and payment of fees have been completed.***
    • If the portfolio is not ready for final review, it will be returned to the student for revision.
  5. Once the PLA coordinator determines the portfolio is ready for review, it will be assessed by program faculty trained by the University in portfolio assessment.
    • The portfolio review recognizes that specific course learning objectives may require different levels of mastery. While the different levels of mastery should be reflected in the course learning objectives, the portfolio reviewers will coordinate with the program and course faculty to ensure the appropriate levels of mastery are satisfied.
    • Students may not revise the portfolio or submit additional documentation after the portfolio review committee has begun portfolio review.
  6. Students may appeal the portfolio review committee’s decision to the program faculty through the school or department’s director/chair.
    • *The program’s faculty decision is final.

Call 501-916-3206 or email [email protected].

*For more information on Prior Learning Assessment Programs and Policies, please read through UALR Policy 517.1.*