The State of Prior Learning Assessment in Graduate Education in the United States

Abstract Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) has been available at the undergraduate level for decades. This article provides information to encourage institutions to consider implementing graduate-level PLA. It provides an analysis of the increasing demand for graduate education in the U.S. and shows the growing number of non-traditional graduate students who could potentially benefit from graduate-level PLA. It also focuses on graduate-level PLA that has been adopted at some public, private, and for-profit institutions who follow the policies or guidelines established for PLA credit at their regional accrediting bodies. The need for graduate level PLA is evident, and though many schools have started offering graduate level PLA it is still not common in universities across the United States.