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
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