Prior Learning Assessment - Graduate

Springfield College offers to validate college-level knowledge acquired through pre-approved prior learning for matriculated and non-matriculated graduate students.  Each individual department oversees any pre-approved prior learning assessment (PLA) approved by the institution in their respective area.  All credit awarded for prior learning is considered transfer credit.  Below is a comprehensive list of the approved PLA:

Adventure Education Workshops

Students in the Adventure Education program are eligible to receive transfer credits for participation in pre-approved workshops where the training content and time involved are documented.  Students can earn a maximum of 9 credits from Adventure Education professional training workshops.  

For consideration, students must register for the PHED 698: Adventure Education Workshop Review section that corresponds with the total number of transfer credits for which they are seeking evaluation in that semester.  PHED 698 is a 0-credit, ungraded course that generates a $175 fee for the number of credits being evaluated that is billed in the semester of enrollment.  

Upon completion of the adventure education workshop evaluation, the Director of the Adventure Education Program will submit a transfer credit award to the Registrar’s Office.  Transfer credit will be reflected on a student’s official transcript as PHED 699: Adventure Education Fieldwork the corresponding number of credits and the credit can be used towards the PHED 699 degree requirement in the program.   

Sheltered English Immersion PLA

Working teachers who earn the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement through completing the Springfield Public Schools District-Sponsored SEI course are eligible to receive 3 graduate course credits.

For consideration, students must register for EDUC 629: SPS SEI Endorsement Review and submit evidence they have received the Sheltered English Immersion endorsement through the Springfield Public Schools District-Sponsored SEI course. EDUC 629 is a 0-credit, ungraded course that generates a $300 evaluation fee upon enrollment.

Once a student’s endorsement is confirmed, the Education department will submit a transfer credit award to the Registrar’s Office. Transfer credit will be reflected on a student’s official transcript as EDUC 628: Sheltered English Immersion for 3 credits.  Students who matriculate into the M.Ed program with a major in Education will be able to use this transfer credit as completion of the EDUC 628 degree requirement.