AND

GIVE YOURSELF SOME CREDIT

Apply for the Finish Faster Scholarship to help pay for the 3-hour course.

No additional charge for
PLA credit earned.

We are here to help you finish your degree faster – saving you time and money!

Through a unique partnership, Motlow students majoring in General Studies can dual enroll at MTSU, take the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course and convert their learning from work and training into college credit.

Motlow students can use up to 19 credits of their Prior Learning toward the General Studies associates degree

Your PLA credits will also apply to MTSU's B.S. in Integrated Studies or the B.S. in Professional Studies. Students can use up to 45 hours of PLA credits toward these degrees.

What is PLA?

We recognize that college level learning occurs outside the traditional classroom through work, training, certifications and licenses. The Prior Learning Assessment course allows you to document and quantify that learning, so that it can be converted to PLA credit and used to complete a degree at both institutions.

PLA credit can also be earned from Military service and training and a variety of examinations. We will work with you to take advantage of all the methods that are right for you.

Learn more and apply for the Finish Faster scholarship

Ways to earn college credit

Prior Learning Assessment Course

Portfolio Assessment – PRST 3010 (Prior Learning Assessment)

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course provides a structured process for students to document learning obtained through work, training programs, certifications and licenses and convert it to college credit.

PLA credit can be used in the following degree programs:

Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies

Military Service Credits

Students who have served in the Reserves, National Guard, or Armed Forces may be eligible for college credit.

Submit a DD214. Students not separated from military service may submit their most recent LES statement.
Submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST)
Students who attended the Community College of the Air Force are required to submit an official copy of their CCAF transcript: Community College of the Air Force Transcript

Credit-by-Examination

Students may earn college credit for acceptable scores on the:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Foreign Language Tests
Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) of the College Entrance Examination Board
American College Testing Program (ACT)
International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)

Examinations are administered by Testing Services, 107 Keathley University Center. (615-898-2863)

Credit by Special Examination

Students should contact the Admissions Office for forms, and request approval from the Department Chair.

Other Ways to Earn Credit are Detailed in the MTSU Undergraduate Catalog.

"PLA is life-changing"

Keri Walker enrolled in her first college course at age 40, taking online classes at Motlow State Community College. Now, just two years later she has her associate degree her bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies and a concentration in Applied Leadership through University College.” Walker, who lives and works in Tullahoma, knew from the beginning she was going to take the Prior Learning Assessment class at MTSU. Knowing that, she only took her core classes at Motlow State. It paid off, too, with Walker earning 36 elective credit hours from the PLA course this past spring. With Prior Learning Assessment, adult students are able to convert their prior work and training and certifications into college credit and use up to 60 credits toward electives. Students do all of this for the cost and time of a three-hour course. With a unique agreement between Motlow State and MTSU, a student can dual enroll at the institutions and start the applied leadership program at MTSU while still taking classes at Motlow State. “My goal when I started the PLA course was to get the 16 elective credits I needed for my associate degree,” Walker said. “I came out with 36, so I was very happy. “Because of the PLA class I am going to be able to go to Motlow and MTSU and get both my bachelor’s and associate degree in about three years,” she said. “The PLA class is life-changing.” Read more Keri's story here.