PLAR by Program

Program Area	Maximum Allowable PLAR Credits	Type of PLAR
ARTS
Arts	No limit on academic credits Maximum of 30 Applied Studies credits	Competency-based portfolio Challenge Exam Credit Recommendation
Design	75 Studio Credits	Design portfolio
Fine Arts	75 Studio Credits	Fine Arts portfolio
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
	No limit	Competency-based portfolio Course-based portfolio Challenge Exam Credit Recommendation
GENERAL STUDIES
	No limit on academic credits Maximum of 60 Lower Level Applied Studies credits Maximum of 15 Upper Level Applied Studies credits	Competency-based portfolio Challenge Exam Credit Recommendation
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
	No established limits	Competency-based portfolio Course-based portfolio Credit Recommendation
SCIENCE
	No limit on academic credits Maximum of 30 Applied Studies credits	Competency-based portfolio Challenge Exam Credit Recommendation
TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Technology (all concentrations)	No limit	Competency-based portfolio Course-based portfolio
I/T Certificate, Diploma	No limit	Course-based portfolio Credit Recommendation Challenge Exam
Water Treatment Technology Program	No limit	Course-based portfolio Credit Recommendation

Competency-based Portfolio

The PLAR credits earned through a competency-based portfolio are generally considered “applied studies” and are used towards the elective requirements of your program. The competency-based portfolio is based on the assessment of eight critical skills: Communication Abilities, Information Organization Abilities, Problem-solving/Decision Making Abilities, Numeracy Skills, Critical Thinking, Intellectual Maturity, Independent Study and Learning Skills and Applied Knowledge and Ability. (Note that if you think you have Academic Knowledge in a particular subject area, you may also be able to petition for academic credits.) You will provide supporting evidence and demonstrate that you have acquired these skills through work, life and/or volunteer experience.

For more information regarding competency-based portfolio view Competency-based portfolios PDF. Click here to see a sample.

Course-based Portfolio

In the course-based portfolio, you will demonstrate that you meet the learning outcomes of a particular course (e.g. BUSM 111). The knowledge and learning you have gained from work, volunteer and/or life experience must be matched with the requirements of the course. The PLAR credits earned are applied to that specific course.

For more information regarding course-based portfolio view Course-based portfolios PDF. Click here to see a sample.

Challenge Exam

A challenge exam is similar to writing a comprehensive final exam for a specific course. It is marked on a Pass/Fail basis. Not all TRU-OL courses are available for challenge exams.

Credit Bank

You may be eligible to receive credit for pre-assessed training from selected employers, private training organizations and/or Continuing Studies programs.