Prior Learning Assessment Policy

1. Purpose

Carolina College of Biblical Studies (CCBS) recognizes that college-level learning can occur through work, ministry, military service, or other structured life experiences. The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy provides a structured pathway for students to receive academic credit for demonstrated, college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. PLA is intended to serve adult learners by affirming the value of experiential learning while maintaining academic integrity and alignment with CCBS’s mission.

2. Eligibility

• PLA credit may only be considered for students who have been formally admitted and are enrolled in a degree program at CCBS.
• PLA credit is not available to prospective students or applicants who have not yet enrolled.
• PLA portfolios must be submitted during the student’s first semester of enrollment.

3. Credit Limitations

The amount of credit awarded through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may not exceed 20% of the total credit hours required for the degree program:

4. PLA-Eligible Courses

Courses eligible for PLA are those in which students can reasonably demonstrate the required learning outcomes through documented life experience. Eligible course types generally include introductory or survey-level courses (e.g., Old/New Testament Survey, Introduction to Biblical Counseling), practical ministry or applied skills (e.g., Evangelism & Missions, Leading Volunteers), leadership and administration courses (e.g., Introduction to Leadership, Church Administration), and general education courses (e.g., English Composition, Public Speaking).

Courses not typically eligible for PLA credit are those that require significant new learning, critical academic reflection, or supervised faculty interaction. These generally include exegetical book studies (e.g., Book of Romans), language courses (e.g., Greek, Hebrew), theological or doctrine courses (e.g., Doctrine 1/2), capstone or thesis courses (e.g., Thesis 1, Supervised Ministry Capstone), and courses centered on interpretation or exposition (e.g., Hermeneutics, Bible Exposition).

All requests are evaluated individually based on the alignment between the student’s documented experience and the learning objectives of the course.

The following courses have been reviewed and approved for PLA eligibility. This list may be updated annually by the Provost’s office to reflect curriculum changes or additional course evaluations.

5. Evaluation Process

Students must submit a PLA Portfolio for each course they wish to challenge. Each portfolio must contain:

1. Course Credit Request Form identifying the CCBS course (PLA Course Credit Request Form).
2. Narrative Essay demonstrating (3-5 pages, double-spaced):
   • Description of experience
   • Analysis of learning outcomes
   • Application of learning
   • Alignment with CCBS course learning outcomes
3. Supporting Documentation such as:
   • Ministry plans, sermon manuscripts, leadership reports
   • Military or work training records
   • Employer evaluations or job descriptions
   • Letters of verification
4. Current Resume/CV

Faculty with subject matter expertise will evaluate each submission using a standardized institutional rubric to ensure consistency. Evaluations focus on confirming that the learning is:

• College-level in rigor
• Measurable and documented
• Equivalent to the course outcomes

6. Credit Award and Transcript Notation

• Approved courses will be recorded on the transcript as “CR” (credit).
• PLA credits do not affect the GPA.
• If credit is not awarded, no entry is recorded on the transcript, and the student must complete the course through regular enrollment.

7. Fees and Processing

PLA evaluations require a non-refundable processing fee per course portfolio submitted. Fee amounts are subject to annual review and adjustment.

• PLA Portfolio Review Fee: $100 per course portfolio (non-refundable)
• Credit Posting Fee: $50 per credit hour awarded

The PLA Portfolio Review Fee must be submitted with the course portfolio submission.

8. Compliance and Recordkeeping

This policy aligns with the ABHE Policy on Transfer and the Award of Academic Credit and nationally recognized standards (e.g., CAEL, CHEA, ACE). CCBS retains evaluation records and supporting documentation in accordance with academic recordkeeping and FERPA guidelines.

A summary of this policy is published in the Academic Catalog. The full policy is available at www.ccbs.edu/policies.