Start here in the new year! 20+ program options Explore January starts
Home

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Procedure

PROCEDURE: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
DATE: February 2024
SUPERSEDES PROCEDURE: August 2017
 

  1. Registered Sault College students seeking prior learning assessment will contact the Academic Assistant in the appropriate program area to initiate the PLAR process.

    Non-registered Sault College students will contact the Pathways Coordinator for information about PLAR opportunities.
     
  2. The Sault College staff member will advise the candidate of the following:
  • The PLAR process, responsibilities of the student and the assessment method for PLAR in that course.
  • How course credit will be represented on the student transcript.
  • Associated fees.
  • Potential implications of a reduction of course load resulting from earned credits through PLAR, resulting in a change to the student’s registration status from full[1]time student to part-time student. This may include, but is not limited to, eligibility for OSAP or sponsorship, study permit in Canada, etc.
  • To attend class until the assessment is completed and outcome/grade has been determined.
  • Next steps
     

The candidate completes the PLAR application form and submits it to the Dean’s Office for the relevant program area.


Non-registered Sault College students submit the form to the Pathways Coordinator.

4. The candidate pays the PLAR fee with Financial Services.

  • Challenge Process/Exam: $22.50/course.
  • Portfolio Assessment: $90/course.

​​​​​​​5.  The Dean, in consultation with the program/department coordinator, determines the assessment method (challenge process/assessment or portfolio).

6. The Dean appoints the subject expert to serve as PLAR Assessor. 

7. The PLAR candidate completes the appropriate PLAR assessment method, as determined by the Dean, and outlined below.

8. The PLAR assessment is graded by the PLAR Assessor.

9. The candidate is notified about the grade achieved within two weeks of completing the assessment.

10. The candidate accepts or declines the grade achieved through the PLAR assessment method.

If the candidate accepts the grade, a Grade Change/Credit Notification Form is completed by the Dean’s Office and provided to the Registrar’s Office. If the student is registered in the course, the Dean’s Office will advise the Registrar’s Office to remove the student from the course.

❖ A reduction of course load resulting from earned credits through PLAR may result in a refund and/or status change from full-time to part-time. Declined grades and PLAR attempts assessed as a Fail will not appear on the student’s transcript.

Steps Specific to Challenge Process:

  1. The candidate completes the challenge assessment (written and non-written evaluation methods) as determined by the Deans’ Office.
     
  2. The challenge assessment is graded by the PLAR Assessor. The candidate is notified of the outcome and the process continues as outlined above.
     

Steps Specific to Portfolio Assessment:

  1. The PLAR Portfolio Assessor will contact the student to initiate the portfolio compilation process. The Assessor will provide the course outline and review the course learning outcomes and required portfolio components with the candidate.


If the candidate is challenging a Student Selected General Education (SSGE) course, the theme will be reviewed, and the required portfolio components will be outlined.
 

  1. The candidate compiles a portfolio.
     
  2. The Assessor assesses the submitted portfolio against the learning outcomes of the course and established criteria.
     
  3. The candidate is notified of the outcome of the portfolio review and the process continues as outlined above.

 

TIMELINE
Registered Sault College Students in classroom-, lab- and independent study-based courses

In classroom-, lab-, and independent study-based courses, the PLAR assessment process must be completed before the last date to withdraw without academic penalty (Week 10). Thus:
 

  1. the challenge assessment (either challenge process or portfolio) is completed by the candidate before the end of the sixth week of the course being challenged.
  2. The assessor will evaluate a portfolio or challenge exam within two (2) weeks of submission.
  3. The student will accept or decline the grade earned through the PLAR assessment before the last date to withdraw without academic penalty per the Key Dates Calendar.
     

Registered Sault College Students in work placement courses

  1. Candidates applying for portfolio assessment in a work integrated learning course (e.g., practicum, field placement, co-op) will submit their completed portfolio to the PLAR Assessor prior to the end of the sixth week of the term prior to the term in which the work placement begins.

    Program specific restrictions may apply.
     
  2. The assessor will evaluate a portfolio within two (2) weeks of submission.
     
  3. The student will accept or decline the grade earned through the PLAR assessment prior to the end of Week 10 of the term prior to the term in which the work placement begins.
    ​​​​​​​

Non-registered Sault College Students
Non-registered Sault College students will contact the Pathways Coordinator for information about PLAR opportunities. The timelines outline above for registered students do not apply.

RELATED DOCUMENTS
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Policy
PLAR Application Form
Key Dates Calendar
Academic Withdrawal Policy
Program Progression and Graduation Requirements Policy
Student Code of Conduct and Appeals Guidelines
Grade Change/Credit Notification Form