Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) and for an entire program (FPPLR)
You already have some experience
Have you acquired skills or knowledge through your professional experience or non-credit training?
Boréal offers two pathways:
- Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
- Full-Program Prior Learning Assessment (FPPLR)
These processes can allow you to earn credits without having to take every course. Discover how to leverage your experience and fast-track your education by exploring the options available.
Turn your experience into course credits
Turn your experience into course credits
Do you have significant work experience? Have you completed trainings outside of school? With our Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR/FPPLR) programs, you can turn your skills into college credits!
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition means you can:
- Get your knowledge and skills recognized
- Fast-track your studies
- Cut your tuition costs
This process is especially suited for anyone who:
- Has professional experience and wants to earn official credentials
- Is pivoting their career
- Wants to advance their career and open new doors
PLAR eligibility conditions
To be eligible, you must:
- Be admitted to a Collège Boréal program
- Submit your application prior to the deadline in the academic calendar
- Stay enrolled in the course until a grade is awarded at the end of the process, if applicable
- Wait at least eight months after failing the course in question and demonstrate newly acquired skills
- Submit only one PLAR application per course, per semester
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
1
Application submission
- You can submit your application online via Laserfiche. You must submit it prior to the deadline.
- The portfolio must be sent to the Admissions Office.
2
Document Review
The evaluator reviews the course outline to identify the competencies that need to be assessed, then determines the appropriate assessment tasks to measure the student’s prior learning.
They decide whether the student must provide concrete evidence (portfolio, documents, certificates) or undergo a direct assessment (exam, interview, practical demonstration), or a combination of both.
3
Contact with the Student
The evaluator contacts the student to explain the assessments to be completed and any evidence that must be submitted, if applicable. Together, they develop a work plan that aligns with the academic calendar.
4
Detailed Assessment
The evaluator reviews the assignments or documents submitted, referring directly to the course’s learning outcomes (RAC) and performance elements (EP).
They verify whether the student has mastered the expected knowledge and competencies for the course.
To assign a grade, they use assessment tools and apply the specific criteria established for this course.
5
Final Decision and Communication of the Result
Once the assessment is completed, the evaluator assigns an official grade based on the results obtained and the College’s evaluation criteria.
They enter this grade into Laserfiche, along with the required supporting documents.
An automated message is then sent to the student to inform them that their RDA request has been processed and that their result is now available.
Full-Program Prior Learning Recognition (FPPLR)
1
Application submission
- You can submit your application online via Laserfiche. You must submit it prior to the deadline.
2
Skills self-assessment
- The person in charge of reviewing your file will explain the next steps and send you the descriptive records.
- You will fill out the descriptive records and return them to the reviewer
3
Preliminary review of your file
The reviewer will look through your portfolio and descriptive records and prepare a preliminary assessment.
A meeting will be scheduled to discuss the results and plan next steps, such as:
- Continuing the FPPLR process
- Considering PLAR for individual courses
- Wrapping up the process
- Exploring other options
4
Fees and continuing the process
You will have to pay the necessary fees. The reviewer will send you the synthesis activity for the FPPLR, which you will need to complete, and will set up an interview.
5
Final decision and report
You will meet with the reviewer, who will explain the results of their assessment. At that point, a certain number of courses will potentially be recognized in your program.
Please note that currently, only two programs are eligible for FPPLR: the Personal Support Worker program and the Early Childhood Education program.