Prior Learning
Students enrolled in Adult Degree Programs are eligible to earn and apply credits from prior learning to their degree once they demonstrate earned competencies. Prior learning includes professional training, technical training, continuing education units, military training, and life experiences that occurred prior to a student’s enrollment in the adult degree program. Students may earn a maximum of 21 credits for prior learning.
To begin the process of prior learning at Messiah, students must complete a 3 credit hour course where they will learn how to leverage their professional and technical training or life experience in order to earn college-level credit(s). Students will identify a credit-bearing course that aligns with their prior learning knowledge and demonstrate this through writing a comprehensive essay. Students will learn how to compose the essay by following guided modules and demonstrate their acquired knowledge of course learning outcomes or competencies. Once an essay is complete, students will submit their portfolio to a subject matter expert for review. Students may repeat the process of petitioning for prior learning credit until the maximum amount has been achieved.