UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Beginning later in 2022, applications for prior learning assessment will be handled through LionPATH, making it easier for students, staff and administrators to facilitate credit by exam and credit by portfolio.
The prior learning assessment application process enables members of the Penn State community to request an exam or submit a portfolio — in fields ranging from math to kinesiology, to foreign languages and more — and potentially have this work deemed eligible for University credit, which can help students to graduate in less time and with less expense.
The current process requires physical forms, sometimes in triplicate, and the new LionPATH process will allow for a more streamlined process, said Michele Rice, director of Prior Learning Assessment at Penn State.
“This new process through LionPATH will make it easier on all parties involved, from the student submitting the request, to faculty and staff at each college and campus involved in facilitating the request,” Rice said. “This new process will likely result in more requests for prior learning assessments.”
Rice said her office will provide training to faculty and staff to use the new system. More information will be available later this year.
The new process will not dictate how prior learning will be applied — that power still resides with academic disciplines and subject-matter experts. The Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual outlines the processes for credit by exam and credit by portfolio.
Billing for the assessed fee also will be handled through LionPATH.
“Giving students credit for learning achieved through their previous life experiences improves access and affordability,” Rice said. “Additionally, this new method of submitting requests and simplifying the billing advances our University goals of streamlining business processes.”
Prior Learning Assessment is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.