Recognition of Prior Learning

Olds College recognizes that learning is a continual process that can be achieved through formal, non-formal, and informal avenues including credit courses and programs offered at other institutions, non-credit courses, on-the-job training, professional workshops and skills gained outside the classroom through life and workplace experiences.

There are three (3) ways in which Recognition of Prior Learning can be undertaken:

Transfer Credit
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition of Experiential Learning
Challenge Exam

View our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy for a comprehensive breakdown of the policy governing RPL processes reference Policy D13.

RPL Application Form

Transfer Credit Process:

It is up to the student to initiate the Transfer Credit process with the RPL Administrator who will then coordinate the review process. Students must complete the RPL Application Form and submit a copy of their post secondary transcripts, if they haven't done so already. (For students who have completed Post Secondary within Alberta, Olds College maybe able to request your transcripts electronically)

PLEASE NOTE: All transcripts, course outlines and other supporting documentation must be in English. If your documentation is in another language, you must provide a certified English literal translation (word-for-word) along with a notarized colour copy of the original documents. All Transfer Credit applications must be received no later than 4 weeks prior to the drop deadline of the course. Any applications submitted after that time are not guaranteed to be reviewed. All applications submitted will be assessed in the order they are received by the RPL Administrator.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) of Experiential Learning (Work and Life Experience) Process:

Experiential learning or non-credit learning is acquired through work experience such as employment, practicums and non-credit courses or through life experiences. The residency and length of time over which the experiential learning was achieved will be a factor during the review or evaluation process. The method of evaluating the student experience and the documentation required to support the learning and knowledge achieved will be recommended by the Associate Dean, in consultation with the RPL Administrator, and will take into consideration the type of learning achieved and the student ability to produce some type of demonstration of the learning experience. View the RPL Application Form.

Note* Applications for PLAR must be submitted no later than 4 weeks prior to the drop deadline of the course.

There are fees associated with the Recognition of Prior Learning process. (refer to Current Fee Schedule – Ancillary Fees).

Please contact the Office of the Registrar if you have inquiries about Recognition of Prior Learning.