The Vermont State Colleges’ Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, administered through CCV, allows students to earn credits for what they know. Learning doesn’t only occur in the classroom, and the PLA program provides the opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills to earn college credit for college-level learning and experience. This can be gained through work and training, military or community service, and online or individual study. Through the PLA program, students can earn credits through portfolio courses, course challenges, and examinations.

The Office of Prior Learning Assessment is celebrating 50 years of serving Vermonters and providing a space to earn credit for what they know. Meet PLA alum Christine Whitehouse, and read about how earning credit for her experiences helped propel her to finish her college degree, save time and money, and set herself up for success in the future.

Turning Experience Into Opportunity

A Vermont native and first-generation college student, Christine was raised with the understanding of the value of a college education. “[My parents] wanted me to go to college and have that opportunity that they didn’t have,” she said. After graduating from high school she enrolled at St. Michael’s College to earn a degree in elementary education and become a teacher, building off of an interest in education she pursued through a program at Burlington Technical Center. 

But, like many other college students, she faced personal challenges – including anxiety and depression– that led her to take a break from school midway through her degree. During this time she continued to pursue her interest in supporting and educating children, working as an intensive needs paraeducator, a personal care assistant for a young lady on the Autism Spectrum, and volunteering for Special Olympics Vermont’s Unified Sports program. While doing this work was important, she always had it in the back of her mind that she wanted to finish her education at St. Michael’s – and a first step to getting back there was taking classes at CCV.

“I learned about the PLA program at CCV through my aunt,” Christine said. “I saw her be able to take what she did every day and turn it into actual credits that other people could see.” Christine wanted to do the same using her experiences from a previous early childhood education program. “I loved the idea of being able to have something that proved that I did that work and that I had that knowledge. It felt more meaningful…being able to get credits from your experience proves to employers that it’s legitimate knowledge,” she said.

So, she enrolled in the Focused Portfolio Development (FPD) course, which is one of two portfolio course options at CCV through the PLA program. In this one-credit course, students create a portfolio that provides details and evidence for up to 16 credits of prior learning in one specific academic area – at no additional cost. “Through taking the FPD course with CCV, I was able to gain 12 credits and I was able to roll those credits right into the program that I went into at St. Michael’s.”

Taking the FPD course was just what Christine needed to get back on track to earning her college degree. “It was during a summer semester, which was great because I could still take full [course] loads for spring and fall, but got basically a full load of credits taking one class during the summer,” she said. “It saved me time and money and allowed me to finish my undergrad degree.” She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s and continued on to earn a master’s degree through the Vermont State Colleges System.

The FPD course also started a domino effect of success for Christine, leading her to her current job as associate director of operations and facilities and Introduction to College and Careers instructor at CCV. “Many of the skills that I learned through taking the FPD course translate into everything that I’m doing today. It’s the ability to organize and think critically. It’s believing in myself,” she said. “The experience of being in college and getting to know myself as a young person and learning all of the hard lessons was something that I’m thankful for every day. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today if I hadn’t had those hardships.”

“I would recommend CCV and PLA to anyone and everyone who is thinking about it, who hasn’t thought about it, who already has a degree, who wants to change careers,” Christine said. “I think it’s really important to think about the time that we have, and if you can get the credits that you need in a way where you can still work and you can spend time with your family, I think that that’s an amazing opportunity.” 

The Office of Prior Learning Assessment is celebrating 50 years of serving Vermonters and providing a space to earn credit for what they know. To learn more about the PLA program at CCV visit ccv.edu/credit-for-what-you-know, contact an advisor, or attend a free information session.