Academic Catalog

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning can be applied towards degrees with industry credentials or credit by exam to recognize learning that a person acquired outside a traditional academic environment.

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus relies on the following process to ensure practices are consistent with academic integrity and responsive to nontraditional learners. Such learning may be derived from multiple means including but not limited to:  various life and work experiences, employer training programs, independent study, non-credit courses, non-college courses, or seminars, non-credit apprenticeship, or vocational or otherwise certification programs, or volunteer or community service experience.  Some of this learning may be equivalent to college level learning. 

The term “prior learning assessment” is the process by which an individual’s experiential and extra-institutional learning is assessed and evaluated for purposes of granting college credit. Supporting documentation that demonstrates learning outcomes, competencies, and professional skills gained through prior learning must be submitted.

Applications are available on the website at https://www.atu.edu/ozark/priorlearning.php.