Nontraditional Credit Options

• Prior Learning Assessment
• PLA Institutional Policies
• Use of Artificial Intelligence in the PLA Process
• College of Health Professions PLA Exceptions
• Summary of the PLA Process
• Professional Certifications/Licenses

Davenport University offers several pathways for graduate students to earn credit for previously acquired college-level learning. Credit may be awarded through both internal and external options. Internally, we offer assessments for prior learning and/or, professional experience. Externally we offer credit through industry certifications. Students are encouraged to work with an Advisor or the Registrar’s Office for guidance.

Internal Non-Traditional Credit Options

Credit earned from Internal Options counts towards university Residency

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Consideration for academic credit will be given to learning gained through career and personal experience in job-related activities and community participation, or from training at specialized schools or testing programs. Students’ prior experience will first be reviewed by a subject matter expert (SME), and if the SME feels the experience adequately aligns with the course learning outcomes of the requested course(s), the student will then demonstrate their knowledge by completing an assessment.

• PLA Institutional Policies
    
• Use of Artificial Intelligence in the PLA Process
    
• ​​​College of Health Professions PLA Exceptions
  • Health and Human Service Case Management BS/MS Occupational Therapy Combined Degree does not allow for PLA.
  • ​NURS prefixed courses are not eligible for PLA.

Summary of the PLA Process:

1. Submit resume + certifications to the Assessment Portfolio Project Manager.
2. Undergo evaluation to determine eligible courses.
3. Complete the PLA assessment within the given timeline.
4. Faculty evaluate using a common rubric.
5. Credit is processed through the Registrar.

To Begin the PLA Process:
Students email resume & training/certifications to:
Mary Pereira, Assessment Portfolio Project Manager
mpereira@davenport.edu 

External Non-Traditional Options

Credit recorded as Transfer Credit and does not count towards university Residency.

Professional Certifications/Licenses

• Certain certifications may award direct course equivalencies. See the college-specific lists of previously approved certifications below. NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list. If you hold a certification that is not represented on this page, please reach out to your advisor to start the process of having your certification reviewed for potential credit.
• Acceptance of a certification for credit would be acceptable for up to 3 years from date of certification, or within the date of expiration by the vendor. Certain exceptions can be made to extend the 3 year limit of expiration. Talk to your advisor for details.

Previously Approved Certifications