Prior Learning Assessment
On this page:
Prior Learning Assessment Policy
The Wright State University Faculty Senate adopted a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) policy in August 2015 that recognizes that students may acquire knowledge equivalent to that obtained through completion of courses through their professional experience or other methods of instruction.
Prior knowledge may be demonstrated in three ways:
- External testing
- Faculty administered tests
- Faculty administered portfolios
Discuss these options with your advisor.
External Testing
The first way is by nationally recognized external testing organizations. The results of the test must be sent to the Wright State Admissions Office. Each testing site has a fee for taking the test.
There are five external examinations honored by Wright State:
Advanced Placement (AP)
The AP tests are taken in high school. AP scores of 3 or better are considered passing, and you will receive college credit. An AP score of 4 or better in certain areas is recommended for students pursuing a major in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Wright State’s course equivalency chart for AP (PDF) Request your official scores be sent to Wright State Undergraduate Admissions through the College Board website.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Wright State accepts only College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject exams. There are 28 subject tests available. Academic departments at Wright State determine how credit will be awarded for CLEP exams. Some departments at Wright State may require higher scores from certain CLEP exams. If you will be taking CLEP exams in Spring 2019 or later, please review Wright State's CLEP Equivalencies Effective Fall 2019 (PDF).
To find a testing site, visit the College Board CLEP website. Request your official scores be sent to Wright State University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions with the College Board transcript request form.
DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST)
If you're in the military, you can earn college credit with the DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) program. There are 37 DSST exams available to you. Academic departments at Wright State determine how credit will be awarded for DSST exams. Here is Wright State’s course equivalency chart for DSST (PDF).
For information about testing sites and examinations, visit the DSST website. Request your official scores be sent to Wright State Undergraduate University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions through the DSST website.
Excelsior College Credit by Examination (ECE)
Wright State recognizes Excelsior College’s credit by exams. There are 50 subject tests available. Academic departments at Wright State determine how credit will be awarded for Excelsior College Credit by Examinations (ECE). Wright State’s course equivalency chart for Excelsior College Credit-by-Examinations (PDF) Request your official scores be sent to Wright State Undergraduate Admissions through the Excelsior College Credit-by-Exams website. Simply follow the instructions in the ECE Registration Guide (login required).
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Wright State University awards credit for scores of 5 or better on the higher level examinations in Geography, Latin, Greek, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics; and a score of 6 or better in Language Al (English). Students who have completed IB courses in Spanish, French or German are encouraged to complete departmental examinations for advanced credit and placement. Wright State's course equivalency chart for IB (PDF)
Note: The Department of Modem Languages encourages students who have completed an IB course in a foreign language to complete the departmental examinations for advanced credit and placement. Wright State will not award credit in a foreign language to a student based only on IB examination scores.
Note: The History Department has concluded that Wright State University does not have a comparable course to the IB World History course; therefore, credit will not be awarded for this subject area.
Faculty-Administered Exams and Portfolios
The other two PLA options are:
- examinations administered internally by Wright State faculty and
- portfolio assessment administered by Wright State faculty.
Either of these options is initiated by completing the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) form (PDF) and paying the non-refundable fee of $150. These must be submitted prior to taking the exam or submitting the portfolio. The PLA must be completed in the same semester in which the fee is paid and the PLA form is submitted. Students are able to submit PLA up to two times. There is a $75, non-refundable fee for submitting the second PLA for the same course.
Below is the list of PLA options at Wright State. The tables are organized by college. Students must demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for the Wright State course listed by either exam or portfolio. The contact person, campus address, and campus telephone number are listed for each course. The tables (DOCX) below displaying Wright State University courses that are eligible for prior learning assessment may be downloaded. The tables will be updated annually in July. Changes may occur during the academic year.
Please contact Dr. Carl Brun, the Wright State PLA Coordinator, if there are changes to this table or if you have any questions about the Wright State University Prior Learning Assessment policy. Dr. Brun, Academic Affairs, may be reached at 937-775-2155.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) By College
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ASL 1010-2020 – American Sign Language |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Barbara Dunaway |
|
|
OL 2010 – Leading Self |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Mindy McNutt |
|
|
OL 4025 – Community Based Internship |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Mindy McNutt |
|
|
KNH 2500 – Basic Anatomy and Physiology |
|
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Drew Pringle or |
|
|
KNH 2600 – First Aid |
|
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Drew Pringle or |
|
|
SAA 7650 – Internship in Student Affairs I |
1-3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Mindy McNutt |
|
|
SAA 7670 – Internship in Student Affairs II |
1-3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Dr. Mindy McNutt |
|
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CS 1150 – Intro to |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 1160 – Intro to |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 1180 – Computer Science I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 1181 – Computer Science II |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 2160 – Visual Basic Programming |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 2200 – Discrete Structures and their Algorithms |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 2800 – Web Development I |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 3100 – Data Structures & Algorithms |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CS 3700 – Intro to Oracle/SQL Databases |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CEG 2170 – Intro to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CEG 2350 – Operating System Concepts and Usage |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CEG 2400 – Intro to PC Networking |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
CEG 3310 – Computer Organization |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Karen Meyer |
|
EGR 1010 – Intro Mathematics for Engineering Apps |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Heather Casto |
|
EGR 3350 – Technical Communications for Engineers and Scientists |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Alysoun Taylor-Hall |
|
EE 2000 – Digital Design with HDL |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Elizabeth Generas |
|
EE 2010 – Circuit Analysis I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Elizabeth Generas |
|
EE 3210 – Linear Systems I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Elizabeth Generas |
|
ISE 2211 – Statistics for Engineers |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Jen Walsh/Sherry Cwiakala |
|
ME 1020 – Engineering Programming with Matlab |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Heather Casto |
|
ME 1040 – Engineering Design and Solid Modeling |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Heather Casto 209 Russ Engineering 937-775-5040 |
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ENG 1100 – Academic Writing and Reading |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Becca Webb |
|
ENG 2100 – Research Writing and Argumentation |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Becca Webb |
|
ENG 3000 – Business Writing |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Becca Webb |
|
ENG 3610 – Technical Writing |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Becca Webb |
|
Languages |
|
|
|
|
|
ARA 1010-2020 – Arabic |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
CHI 1010-2020 – Chinese |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
FR 1010-2020 – French |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
GER 1010-2020 – German |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
GR 1010-2020-Greek |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Rebecca Edwards or |
|
ITA 1010-2020 – Italian |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
JPN 1010-2020 – Japanese |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
LAT 1010-2020-Latin |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Rebecca Edwards or |
|
PHL 3000 – Critical Thinking |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Siobhan Semmett or |
|
RUS 1010-2020 – Russian |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
SP 1010-2020 – Spanish |
3-12 |
Exam |
C |
Lauren Wolfe |
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HLT 3400 – Concepts of Pharmacology |
3 |
NLN Exam proctored at Wright State |
75% |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 4810 – Nursing Care in Genomics Era |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 4830 – Wholistic Nursing Practices Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 4850 – Collaborating for Improving Patient Health Outcomes |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 4860 – Policy and Politics: Leading and Managing Health Care |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 4870: Advancing Communities Towards Healthy Outcomes |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 7002 – Information Technology in Health Care |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
NUR 7005 – Nursing Research and Evidence for Practice |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Theresa Haghnazarian |
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ANT 2100/L – Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Ms. Bridgett Severt, 937-775-2126 |
|
ANT 2120/L – Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Ms. Bridgett Severt, 937-775-2126 |
|
ANT 3100/L – Human Structure and Function I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Ms. Bridgett Severt, 937-775-2126 |
|
ANT 3120/L – Human Structure and Function II |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Ms. Bridgett Severt, 937-775-2126 |
|
MTH 2240 – Applied Calculus |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2280 – Business Calculus |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2300 – Calculus I |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2310 – Calculus II |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2320 – Calculus III |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2330 – Differential Equations |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2350 – Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra |
4 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2530 – Elementary Linear Algebra |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 2570 – Discrete Mathematics |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 3320 – Complex Variables |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
MTH 3330 – Partial Differential Equations |
3 |
Exam |
C |
Abby Sharp |
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT 1300– Illustration |
3 |
Portfolio |
C |
Teresa Richter 230R Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0395 |
| IT 2010– Photoshop |
3 |
Portfolio |
C | Teresa Richter 230R Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0395 |
| IT 2400– Employment Portfolio Development | 2 | Portfolio | C | Teresa Richter 230R Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0395 |
| LE 1000– Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 | Exam | C | Mark Ernst 240 Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0319 |
| CRT 2030– Introduction to Probation & Parole | 3 | Exam | C | Mark Ernst 240 Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0319 |
| LE 1100-1150– Police Academy 1-6 | 18 | Portfolio | C | Mark Ernst 240 Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0319 |
| LE 2990– Law Enforcement Internship | 3 | Portfolio | C | Mark Ernst 240 Dwyer Hall Lake Campus (419) 586-0319 |
|
Wright State Course |
Credit Hours |
PLA Method |
Minimum Score |
Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN 2050 – Personal Financial Decision Making | 3 | Exam | C | Finance and Financial Services 296 Rike Hall (937) 775-3175 |
| MGT 3210 – Human Resources Management | 3 | Portfolio | Proof of Passing the HR Professional Certification | Dr. David Bright, Chair, Management 250 Rike 937-775-2291 |
| MGT 3210 – Human Resources Management | 3 |
Exam |
Pass internal placement exam | Dr. David Bright, Chair, Management 250 Rike 937-775-2291 |
