Tennessee State University values the college-level knowledge students may have acquired outside the traditional college classroom. The University has partnered with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and LearningCounts, an innovative online service that assists students to prepare learning portfolios to demonstrate learned competencies, expertise and knowledge from career, military or volunteer service and evaluates those portfolios for undergraduate college credit.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a nationally recognized process for evaluating knowledge and skills to award college credit for purposes of granting credit. PLA can help adults see the end goal, feel empowered, decrease costs and GRADUATE FASTER .

There are numerous ways to earn college credit outside the traditional classroom. PLA options include:

Portfolio-Based Assessments –Evaluations of student portfolios such as those done through CAEL’S service, LearningCounts.org.

American Council on Education (ACE) Guides –Published recommendations for formal instructional programs offered by non-collegiate agencies, both civilian employers and the military.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams –A series of tests developed by the College Board initially for AP High School courses, including 34 exams in 19 subject areas.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exams –Tests of college material offered by the College Board.

DSST Credit by Exam Program –formerly known as the DANTES Program, owned and administered by Prometric, tests knowledge of both lower-level and upper –level college material through 38 exams.

Excelsior College Examination Program –Formerly Regents College Exams or ACT/PEP Exams, offered by Excelsior College, NY.

UexcelCredit by Exam Program –Tests knowledge of lower-level college material, awarded by Excelsior College credit can be transferred to other colleges and universities.

National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) –(Formerly known as National PONSI) evaluates learning experiences for non-collegiate organizations.

Evaluation of Local Training –Program evaluations done by individual colleges of non-collegiate instructional programs.

Instituional Challenge Exams –Local tests developed by a college or university to verify learning achievement.

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