Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process to recognize knowledge acquired through work, academic, and life experiences and award credit towards your degree at Mount Royal University. 

In order to receive credit, you will need to have your prior learning evaluated. Evaluations will be conducted by the Chair or content specialist(s). Any one of the following evaluation methods or a combination may be used: 

• formal examinations (including challenge examinations and standardized external examinations);

• course equivalencies involving evaluation of non-credit programs, courses, certificates and designations; and

• documentation and demonstration of achievement through portfolio assessment and portfolio-assisted assessment (including product assessment [work samples], simulation/performance assessment, interviews and oral examinations, and practical and laboratory demonstrations).

If your assessment is successful, you will receive “CR” (credit awarded). If the assessment is unsuccessful, you will receive “NC” (credit not awarded). Recognition of prior learning must be appropriate to the course or program in which it is accepted.

In order to request a PLAR, you must be a registered student at the start of the semester and when the assessment is conducted.

You may not request a PLAR in any course in which you are currently, or have previously been, registered for at any institution, unless that course was taken over six (6) years ago.

You cannot submit a request for PLAR if you do not have the prerequisite for that course.

No student may receive credit by prior learning assessment in more than two (2) courses within a given subject or discipline area, nor in more than a total of three (3) courses at Mount Royal University if registered in a diploma or certificate program or in more than a total of six (6) courses if registered in a degree program.

As a student, follow these steps:

1. Identify the discipline for which you think you have applicable prior learning (e.g. psychology, marketing, mathematics and computing).
2. Contact the Chair of the department to express your interest in and reasoning for pursuing the PLAR.
3. With the Chair, discuss your prior learning, the evaluation method that will be used to assess your prior learning, and any content specialist(s) that may be involved in the evaluation.
4. Submit a Request for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Google Form. On this form you will need to include the name and email of the instructor for the PLAR, as well the course code and number that you will be assessed for.

Once submitted, your Request for PLAR will be received and reviewed by the Office of the Registrar. You will be notified if there are concerns with your PLAR request. If no concerns are identified:

• You will be notified by the Office of the Registrar once you have been registered for the course and the applicable tuition and fees have been added to your student account. This will not occur until after the add/drop deadline for the associated semester. You will be required to pay the associated tuition and fees for the PLAR within three (3) business days of this notification.
• Once you have paid the tuition and fees associated with the PLAR, the Office of the Registrar will notify the Chair and/or instructor to commence the PLAR assessment.
• The PLAR assessment will be conducted and you will receive either a “CR” (credit awarded) or “NC” (credit not awarded) grade. A letter grade will not be assigned. 

Courses for which credit is received via PLAR will contribute to your total credits. You can check the specific credits you’ve been awarded by accessing mruGradU8. The Office of the Registrar will make the appropriate notation on your permanent academic record and transcript. You may request a review of a particular assessment through the normal grade appeal process.

• PLAR requests must be received by the end of the first week of classes in the associated semester. The Request for PLAR Google Form opens one month prior to the start of each semester.
• You will be notified by the Office of the Registrar once you have been registered and the applicable tuition and fees have been added to your student account. You will be required to pay the associated tuition and fees for the PLAR within three (3) business days of this notification.
• The final assessment of prior learning must be completed by the end of the fourth week of classes in the associated semester.