Recognition of Prior Learning

Red River College is:

• Manitoba’s 2nd largest

post-secondary institution

• Over 32,000 enrolments annually

• More than 110 diplomas, certificate and

apprenticeship programs

Recognition of Prior Learning

Background of RPL at RRC

1980 – RRC was one of the first colleges to formally

implement PLAR/RPL

1980-83 – Nursing Experiential Learning Program

– Childcare Services Experiential Learning Program

– Dental Assisting

1994 – PLAR Policies and Procedures

1995 – PLAR Office opened with PLAR Facilitator

2009 – name change to RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning

• What is RPL?

• How does the RPL process work at Red

River College?

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL is the process of

• identifying

• documenting

• assessing

• recognizing

what a person knows and can do

Recognition of Prior Learning

Which Red River College program have you

targeted for RPL?

• Do you have relevant previous

learning?

*Current work experience?

*Previous post secondary education?

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL Examples:

ST: Occupational Health and Safety Officer requires certification for employment purposes

MT: experienced tradesperson would like to attain trade qualifications – Red Seal

PD: former Business Administration student (2000) wants to complete program – receive a diploma

DW: employee in the Informational Technology field needs a diploma to qualify for management level

positions

YM: Engineer in home country wants credit for post-secondary education and experience

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL is Program Specific

• Review courses in the targeted program

• Match learning acquired (previous work

experience and or post secondary courses) with

courses required in the program

• Identify potential for RPL

• Identify courses that would increase knowledge,

skills and abilities

Recognition of Prior Learning

Human Resource Management

You must successfully complete nine courses and three workshops to earn a certificate.

• First Course of Study:

• MGMT-1080 Human Resource Management

• Core Courses:

• HUMR-1017 Compensation

• HUMR-1019 Human Behaviour in Organizations

• HUMR-1002 Labor Relations

• HUMR-1184 Recruitment and Selection

• HUMR-1063 Training and Development

• Elective Courses (choose three):

• MGMT-1003 Assertiveness Training

• HUMR-1007 Payroll and Taxable Benefits

• HUMR-1160 Computerized HRM

• HUMR-1000 Collective Bargaining

• HUMR-1022 Employment and Labour Law

Recognition of Prior Learning

Methods used to assess prior learning

1. assessment of educational documents

2. challenge process

(i.e. written/oral examinations, projects,

assignments, product assessments, interviews, skill

demonstrations, simulation/role plays)

3. portfolio assessment

4. external course/program assessment

Recognition of Prior Learning

Key Points

• Focus is on what the learner knows rather than where, when, how it was learned

• Clear learning outcomes/competencies must be identified by those implementing RPL to set the assessment criteria and design the assessments

• RPL processes are developed and assessed by content specialists/course experts

• Not all programs have RPL processes developed for all courses

• Must be registered in a F/T program or enrolled in CE course for any process to start

RPL Process

See Brochure

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL Fee Range Guidelines

Transfer of Credit from post secondary institutions:

Manitoba (publicly funded) No Fee

Canada (publicly funded) $15.00 per course

(max $75.00 per application)

International Fee considered on an individual basis

(min $50.00 to a max $250.00)

Assessment of Educational Documents for Transfer Credit

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL Fee Range Guidelines

• Challenge examinations (i.e.

written/oral examinations,

projects, assignments or a

combination of)

• Practical examinations, skill

demonstrations, simulations

Challenge Process Fee

• $35.00 per hour of assessment

up to a maximum of $250.00

per course includes cost of

consumables

• $35.00 per hour of assessment

up to a maximum of $350.00

per course (plus cost of

consumables)

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL Fee Range Guidelines

(For each course)

• Course up to 20 hours - $75.00

• Course 21 – 60 hours - $150.00

• Course 61 + hours - $250.00

Portfolio Assessment Fee

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning

Steps in the RPL process

1.Pre-entry/Initial Advising

2.Student Profiling

3.Preparing and Providing Evidence of Learning

4.Assessment

5.Credit awarded/Not awarded

6.Post Assessment Guidance

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

• Red River College will evaluate and grant credit for qualifying

previous formal and non formal learning that is equivalent to College

courses or programs. Recognized prior learning will be applied

toward the requirements of College programs. Additionally, it can

contribute to occupational or professional certification.

• The learning to be credited will be consistent with current Red River

College course/program learning outcomes. The process will be

administered in a way that ensures the College’s assessment of

prior learning is valid, reliable, equitable, efficient and effective.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

Procedures

3.1 An individual interested in seeking credit for prior learning can access print

and online information. Advising is available from the RPL Advisor(s) or

Academic Departments.

3.2 The RPL Advisor(s) or Academic Departments will provide information to the

individual about the process. This may take the form of an orientation session

or an interview with an Advisor.

3.3 To proceed with an assessment in the RPL process, an individual must be a

registered student.

3.4 Fees charged for the assessment of prior learning will be based on the RPL

Fee Range guidelines. Fees will representative of the services performed in

the process and not the amount of credit awarded. Fees are non-refundable

and non-transferable.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

Academic Standards

3.5 The College processes used for evaluating prior learning include:

a) assessment of educational documents

b) assessment of evidence or portfolios that identify and verify prior learning

c) assessment through challenge processes such as written or oral

examinations, interviews, projects, assignments, performance/skill

demonstrations, product assessments; and

d) assessment of external courses/programs from non post-secondary

organizations in conformance with RPL – Assessment of External Courses

from Non-Post Secondary Institutions for College Credit policy A17

3.6 Credit will be awarded for learning equivalent to the standards required by the

programs in which the credit is sought.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

3.7 Credit will be awarded for demonstrated learning, which includes knowledge,

skills and abilities. It will not be awarded for experience alone.

3.8 Credit will be awarded for learning which reflects both the theoretical and

practical components in a balance consistent with the outcome requirements

of courses/programs.

3.9 Credit will be awarded for prior learning that is appropriate to the program in

which the individual is enrolled.

3.10 The learning for which credit is being sought must be applicable outside

the specific context in which it was learned and serve as a basis for further

learning.

3.11 The assessment of competence levels and determination of credit awards will

be made in a timely manner by the appropriate content specialists. Final

approval for credit will be the responsibility of the program Chair/Manager.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

Administrative Standards

3.12 An individual seeking credit for prior learning must have met the established

admission and registration requirements to gain admittance to a program/course.

3.13 A student may be given up to 75% credit in a program when credit for prior

learning, including transfer of credit, is awarded. If warranted, additional credits may

be granted by the Dean of a School in consultation with the program

Chair/Manager and the RPL Facilitator. Any remaining program requirements must

be earned in actual studies through Red River College.

3.14 The College will record successful RPL in the student information system in

the same way in which grades are normally transcribed. Where this is not

appropriate, the designation “CR” (Credit) will be used. The College will record

unsuccessful RPL as “NC” (Not Complete) in the student information system.

3.15 Program Chairs/Managers or their designate will provide a completed

“Results of Portfolio and/or Challenge Process Assessment” form to the

appropriate student records representative and the student.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RRC Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

3.16 Where credit has been acquired from a recognized educational institution, the

assessment of educational documents or transfer of credit will follow RPL –

Transfers between RRC Programs policy A15 and RPL – Transfer of Credits

to RRC from Other Post Secondary Institutions policy A16.

3.17 Students have the opportunity to review the evaluated work as outlined in the

Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities policy S1.

3.18 RPL may be available to students who have been unsuccessful in taking or

challenging a course. The student will require sufficient evidence of new

learning and approval from the Program Chair/Manager to proceed with

another assessment.

3.19 The Academic Appeal policy S3 will be used as the appeal process for RPL.

3.20 Continuing RPL training and professional development will be provided to all

staff involved in the RPL process as part of a quality RPL system.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Benefits for Learners

• validates learning gained through work and life

experiences

• eliminates duplication of learning

• identifies areas of competence and areas requiring further

study

• assists with career development and educational planning

• increases self-esteem

• may reduce the time and expense to acquire a credential

Recognition of Prior Learning

Benefits for Institutions

• increases institutional efficiency by eliminating the need

for unnecessary training

• may increase student recruitment and retention

• allows for more appropriate learner placement in

programs

• meets the needs of a wider range of learners

• provides an important service for business, industry and

community links

• enhances the image of the institution in the community

Recognition of Prior Learning

Future Expectations

• Increased demand for RPL

• Continued growth in the number of college programs

offering RPL

• Evolution of RPL and flexible assessment practices

Recognition of Prior Learning

Questions?

Ann PedersenRPL Advisor

Red River Collegeof Applied Arts, Science and Technology

(204) 632-3094

apedersen@rrc.ca