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Student working in the David L. Eisler Center

Online Assessment of Prior Learning

At Ferris, Your Experience Matters

We understand that not all learning happens in the classroom. Whether you’re learning took place through employment, military service, non-credit trainings or volunteer experiences, the Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) may help you identify and present learning from your experiences in a way that can help you earn credits, which means you may spend less time earning your degree and incur less student debt. Your completed and approved APL results in credits for approved courses on your transcript.

How to Get Started

To get started contact the APL Coordinator, Dr. Deedee Stakley at [email protected] to discuss the APL process and next steps. Once you meet with the coordinator to discuss your APL goals, she will meet with the department chair for your program to discuss if APL is an option. If APL is an option for your academic program, the coordinator will contact you with your APL requirements and help you get started. APL may not be appropriate for every program at Ferris. Permission to proceed with an APL must be granted from the academic program.

When you are approved to proceed with your APL, we will provide a link to register for the APL. Be sure to let the APL Coordinator know when you register. The cost for APL is $250 for the first 1-5 credits and $50 for each additional approved credit.

This Canvas account can be used to access your APL information and the portfolio creation modules anytime. The APL is designed to be self-paced to fit the needs of each student. The portfolio process requires a commitment from you and can save you valuable time and money towards completing your degree. Additionally, the process can help you gain a much greater appreciation for all that you have done and learned, and a greater understanding of how your prior learning can contribute to your educational goals at Ferris.