How Concordia University Wisconsin helps online undergraduate students turn professional, ministry, military and community experience into academic credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Your education is part of your vocation, and the learning you bring into your program matters. Many CUW online students arrive with rich professional, ministry, military or community experience. CUW’s PLA process recognizes that learning and provides a pathway to translate it into academic credit — helping you move forward with confidence and purpose.
This guide explains how PLA works for undergraduate students, what to prepare and how to decide whether it is right for you.
What is Prior Learning Assessment?
PLA allows eligible undergraduate students to earn academic credit for college-level learning gained outside the classroom. Through the college course model, students demonstrate how their experience aligns with the learning outcomes of a specific CUW course.
Both traditional and online undergraduate students may request PLA after completing their first semester.
Programs that accept PLA
PLA is available across several undergraduate programs, including:
- School of Business: All undergraduate programs
- School of Arts & Sciences: Online undergraduate programs in applied computer science, communication and leadership, public service and applied psychology
- School of Education: All undergraduate programs except secondary education
If you are unsure whether your major accepts PLA, contact your academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office.
When to submit PLA petitions
Timing matters. According to the 2025 policy:
- Submit petitions at least six months before your expected graduation date.
- Submit petitions only after all transfer credits have been evaluated and your degree plan is official.
- Students considering a new major or an institutional transfer may benefit from waiting before submitting a petition.
Approved petitions are typically reviewed within about 30 days.
Understanding the review fee
A $150-per-credit review fee is added to your student account only if your petition is approved. This fee covers the evaluation of your materials and is generally not covered by financial aid.
If your petition is denied, you may revise and resubmit once without an additional fee.
What you need to submit
Each PLA petition must clearly demonstrate what you learned and how that learning aligns with a CUW course.
Students should:
- Identify a comparable CUW course from the current academic catalog.
- Gather at least three supporting documents, such as:
- Certificates
- Job descriptions or evaluations
- Letters from supervisors or ministry leaders
- Curriculum plans, project records or work samples
- Photos, publications or media connected to your work
- Complete the PLA petition, including:
- Course information
- A narrative describing your learning
- Dates and context of the experience
- A rationale supported by documentation
Petitions are submitted through the Registrar’s Office and reviewed by a faculty subject-matter expert.
After your review
A department chair, program director or dean will evaluate your materials. You may receive:
- Approval if alignment with course outcomes is strong
- One opportunity to revise and resubmit if the petition is denied due to documentation issues
- An appeal option with additional explanation if needed
Approved credits are recorded as either requirement-specific or elective PLA credit. Elective PLA credits do not fulfill major requirements.
Students may earn up to 21 PLA credits, which do not count toward CUW’s residency requirement.
PLA for School of Education students
Students entering the School of Education often bring hands-on experience that aligns well with PLA. Most licensure programs accept PLA, including early childhood education, elementary education and cross-categorical special education. Secondary education does not participate due to state licensure alignment requirements.
PLA can be especially helpful for candidates who developed foundational teaching skills before enrolling at CUW.
Examples of experiences that may qualify include:
- Paraprofessional or substitute teaching
- Preschool or child care work
- Sunday school, vacation Bible school or youth ministry teaching
- Curriculum or lesson planning
- Classroom roles involving assessment, behavior support or differentiated instruction
- Professional development or training related to education
Common fieldwork courses considered for PLA include ED 4503, ED 4504, ED 4505 and ED 4506, for a maximum of six credits. Eligibility depends on the relevance, recency and alignment of your experience with course outcomes.
Is PLA right for you?
PLA may be a good fit if you have significant, well-documented learning that aligns with a CUW course. Qualifying experiences may include:
- Professional roles with leadership or technical responsibility
- Specialized training or certifications
- Military service
- Ministry or nonprofit leadership
- Project, program or curriculum development
- Creative or public-facing work
If you are unsure whether PLA is right for you, your academic advisor can help you discern whether it supports your educational goals.
Honoring your calling through learning
Your past experiences are part of how God has equipped you to serve. Concordia University of Wisconsin’s PLA process honors that learning while helping you move confidently toward your degree.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. CUW online undergraduate and graduate courses are offered year-round, with two eight-week mini-terms during the spring, summer and fall for most programs. To take the next step, connect with Concordia University of Wisconsin’s admissions team by visiting CUW Online Undergraduate Admissions for bachelor’s degrees or Graduate Admissions for master’s degrees and licensure programs, or call 262-243-4300.