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On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.

 
APU Student Handbook
In this section

Last Revision: August 21, 2026

Prior Learning Assessment for Academic Credit

Our students come to us with a vast array of work experience and training, and we recognize that not all learning has resulted from traditional classroom attendance. Our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program provides students with the opportunity to earn credit for learning outside the confines of a traditional classroom.

The PLA portfolio program might be right for a student if they have developed college- or graduate-level knowledge, skills, and abilities, and are able to demonstrate that these skills meet the learning objectives of an academic course. This prior learning may be a result of: 

  • Work experience
  • Formal corporate or military training
  • Business ownership
  • Volunteer work
  • Civic leadership
  • Hobbies
  • Independent study

Students who have knowledge that fit this criteria may be eligible to seek academic credit through PLA. Credit is given for what a student has learned, not just their experiences. Students must show that they have mastered the same objectives as if they had taken the college course. At APU, this learning is evaluated through a portfolio assessment process. 

Who is eligible for PLA via portfolio?  

Students wishing to earn credit through the prior learning assessment must meet these criteria:  

  • Be a fully enrolled student (completed application, orientation, possess student ID, registered for current program course, not on hold or disenrolled). 
  • Have completed a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) from the Transfer Credit Department (if applicable) 
  • Maintain a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 for graduate and 2.0 for undergraduate students, without being on academic probation. 
  • Not yet applied for graduation or enrolled in a capstone or end-of-program option
  • Not pursuing a program with accreditation limiting prior learning credits  

PLA Workshop 

Approved applicants will join a self-paced, no-cost PLA Workshop to develop their portfolios. A PLA faculty member will provide guidance and feedback, and the final portfolio will be submitted to a subject-matter expert for evaluation. When ready, students will contact the PLA team for submission instructions. 

Evaluation of Learning  

Portfolios are assessed on a pass/fail basis by faculty evaluators who possess expertise in the portfolio's subject area and are trained in evaluating experiential learning. The PLA team assigns an evaluator to each portfolio based on the portfolio's content and discipline. To earn credit, a portfolio must demonstrate mastery of the course learning objectives at a level equivalent to a grade of B or higher. 

Time Required for Evaluation  

Faculty evaluators aim to complete their assessments within thirty days. If they need more information, they may request it from the student, which could add up to fifteen extra days to the review process.  The entire process, from when the student submits the portfolio to when it is completed, should take about forty-five days or less unless extra information is needed. 

Students should keep this timeline in mind when planning for graduation. It is best to start planning for the PLA program right after completing the transfer credit evaluation. This allows enough time for applying, enrolling, completing the course, creating the portfolio, evaluating, and receiving credit.  

If a student does not receive credit for their portfolio and believes it was unfairly evaluated, they can appeal by emailing pla@apus.edu within 30 days of the decision. They must explain why they think the evaluation was unfair. If the PLA team approves a resubmission, students have 30 days to make appropriate edits and send the revised portfolio back to pla@apus.edu.  

If, after a second evaluation, credit is still not recommended and the student wants to appeal further, they can submit a formal appeal to pla@apus.edu. This appeal should outline the reasons and include evidence addressing the evaluator's feedback. The reviewer will make a final decision within 30 days of receiving it. This decision is final. Once a portfolio has been formally appealed, it cannot be revised and resubmitted for evaluation again. 

Posting of Credit  

Credit received for prior learning will be posted to the academic plan as PLA credit, which is a nontraditional transfer credit, and is subject to transfer credit limits. There is no letter grade assigned, and PLA evaluations are not factored into the GPA.  

Credit Limitations  

Accrediting guidelines limit the amount of experiential learning (nontraditional) credit that can be applied toward degree completion. Limitations by degree program are listed below:  

  • Associate – no more than 30 semester hours  
  • Bachelor’s – no more than 60 semester hours  
  • Master’s – no more than 9 semester hours  
  • Graduate certificates – no more than 9 semester hours  

Transfer of PLA credit  

Every college/university has its own policies regarding the transfer of credit awarded via PLA at other institutions. There is no guarantee that PLA credit will be accepted by another school, and APU presently does not accept PLA credit provided by other schools. Students planning to transfer to another institution should check with that school before applying for participation in the PLA program. 

Fees  

APU does not charge a fee for the PLA Workshop – it is a no-cost, no-credit, self-taught independent study workshop. Students are encouraged to work through the assignments and build the pieces of their portfolio in a 4 to 8 weeks (about 2 months) timeframe. However, as a self-taught workshop, students would have to complete a portfolio before the end date.  

For the portfolio to be evaluated for credit, a subject matter expert (SME) must review it. Therefore, once a student completes the components of their portfolio in the PLA workshop, they must make arrangements with the PLA team (pla@apus.edu) to submit their entire portfolio for evaluation. The fee for portfolio evaluation is $325 per graduate course, and $250 per undergraduate course.  

If the evaluation results in a recommendation for the award of academic credit, the credit will be posted to the student’s academic plan. If the evaluator determines the portfolio does not demonstrate adequate mastery of the learning objectives, the student will be informed of the reason(s) for the decision. If the student decides to revise the portfolio and resubmits it for consideration, there is no charge for the first resubmission. Students must complete their edits and resubmit to pla@apus.edu within thirty (30) days of receiving the declined email. Subsequent resubmissions cost $325/$250.  

In limited cases, the evaluator may determine that the credit sought by the student is not appropriate and will tell them that resubmission is not worthwhile. No refunds of the $325/$250 evaluation fee will be provided regardless of whether credit was recommended for the portfolio or not.  

Effective October 2026, APU will report the portfolio fee to the VA via electronic certification for eligible students who are using GI Bill® benefits. The fee will be submitted to the VA within 30 days after credit has been awarded. If no credit is awarded, the fee will not be submitted to the VA. Students using Chapter 33 benefits (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) and students using Chapter 30 benefits (Montgomery GI Bill®) who are on active duty may have the mandatory fee accessed by APU paid for by the VA. VA regulations state students must have a rate of pursuit greater than half time (.51%) in order to be eligible to receive MHA under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. The VA will cover course tuition and fees up to the percentage for which a student is eligible. However, the course load will not qualify a student for MHA, as their enrollment will be reported as one credit hour. 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.