Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

What is PLAR?

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the assessment of learner prior learning for college credit. Learning may come from prior work, volunteering, military service, life, and/or academic experiences, independent study, or cultural/family learning. A PLAR evaluation must meet the course learning outcomes, with success resulting in academic credit for these experiences.

When considering past academic experience, learners may also be eligible for a Credit Transfer instead of a PLAR.

Note

Not all courses are eligible for PLAR. On the Durham College Course Catalogue if a course is eligible, it is noted in the “General” tab of the Course Outline, including the type of PLAR evaluation required. More on these below. If there is reason to suspect a course may be PLAR eligible, but this is not identified as such on the course outline, contact the faculty/department office. DC’s Policy ADMIN-251 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition guides how PLAR works at DC.

For more information on the PLAR process for learners at Durham College select PLAR - Durham College