Students Receive Credit for Life Experience Through USM’s Prior Learning Assessment Program
August 9, 2010
The University of Southern Maine is hosting two public meetings to give those interested in pursuing a college degree the opportunity to find out if they can earn college credit for knowledge and skills gained outside the traditional classroom.
The first session will be held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, August 17 at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston. Another session will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, August 19 in Room 113, Wishcamper Center, 32 Bedford St., on USM’s Portland campus. To register, see Prior Learning Assessment session registration at http://usm.maine.edu/non-degree/form/form.html.
Attendees will find out more about earning academic credit for previous work and related experience through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program. Participants also will have the opportunity to meet with USM faculty and staff to begin an assessment of prior experiences. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as needed.
USM’s PLA program is one of the oldest in the country. Each year about 1,000 students, or 10 percent of USM’s student body, take advantage of the program.
Recently released information from the Maine Department of Labor indicated that 46 percent of the jobs in Maine posted online in the first six months of 2010 required a bachelor’s degree. Another 16 percent of jobs posted required a graduate or professional degree. “USM is pleased to help individuals save time and money by taking advantage of the PLA program,” said Joyce Lapping, director of Prior Learning Assessment. “Our faculty and staff are anxious to help Maine people get ready to apply for those jobs requiring college degrees.”
For more information about USM’s PLA program and the information sessions, visit
