Family and Consumer Sciences Prior Learning Application Information
Graduate students can now apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits within the Family Science and Human Development (FSHD) graduate programs. Please review the information carefully and contact Dr. Kimberly Doudna with questions.
Per WMU policy, such credits can be no more than 50% of the total program credits (rounding to the nearest full course as needed).
Eligible FSHD Graduate programs
Family Science and Human Development Degree Programs | Total Program Credits | Maximum PLA Credits | Available PLA Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
PhD in Education and Human Development – Family Science Emphasis Area | 21* | 10 | 1, 2, 3 |
MA in FCS: Tracks in Child Life, Family Science & Services, and Youth & Community Development | 32 | 16 | 1, 2, 3 |
Graduate Certificate in Youth and Community Development | 9 | 3 | 3 |
Graduate Certificate in Kinship Care Families | 9 | 3 | 3 |
PLA eligibility
Based on previous experience and education, applicants with a bachelor’s degree and graduate students may apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits within Family Science and Human Development (FSHD) programs.
Route 1: Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
Route 1 is for students who have attained the post-bachelor’s CFLE credential through the National Council of Family Relations (full CFLE certification, not provisional) and are applying to or enrolled in the MA in FCS (eligible PLA tracks are noted above), the KCF or the YCD Graduate Certificate, or the PhD in Education and Human Development (Family Science emphasis). The CFLE credential would meet requirements of FCS 6220 Practicum for 6 credits.
Students utilizing Route 1 may also apply for PLA through Route 3 with adjustment to the FCS 6220 credit hours to allow for a maximum of 10 credit hours of PLA for the PhD in EHD or 16 credit hours of PLA for the MA in FCS.
Route 2: Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
Route 2 is for students who have 1) attained the CCLS credential through the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), 2) have a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience working as a CCLS) and are applying to or enrolled in the MA in FCS (tracks noted above), the KCF or the YCD Graduate Certificate, or the PhD in Education and Human Development (Family Science concentration). This credential and required hours would meet requirements of FCS 6220 Practicum for 6 credits.
Students utilizing Route 2 may also apply for PLA through Route 3 with adjustment to the FCS 6220 credit hours to allow for a maximum of 10 credit hours of PLA for the PhD in EHD or 16 credit hours of PLA for the MA in FCS.
Route 3: Work Experience, Professional Development, Non-FSHD Courses, and Other
Route 3 is for students who can demonstrate mastery of student learning outcomes via work experience, professional development, or other means. A minimum of 2,000 hours of experience working with children, youth, and/or families is required. Experience must address the student learning outcomes (SLOs) that are associated with a course.
Examples of employment settings include, but are not limited to
- Family and youth services (e.g., parent education, youth advocacy, financial education, housing, employment)
- Early childhood education
- Child welfare (e.g., foster care, adoption, caregivers)
- Cooperative extension
- Immigration & migrant families services
- Juvenile justice/youth Services
- Military family support services
- Parent coordination (e.g., courts)
- Services for domestic violence
- Senior living communities
PLA application, portfolio development and review process
Interested individuals must first apply for and/or be enrolled in the graduate program of interest.
Even prior to acceptance to such a graduate program, individuals may complete a PLA Review Application form.
Students can view the courses and student learning outcomes (SLOs) that are assessed as part of the review process. View courses and learning outcomes here.
Those seeking PLA credit will be asked to offer evidence of relevant professional experience via the processes outlined below.
For Route 1, prepare a document that includes the following and email it to the PLA contact noted on this page:
(a) your name, WIN #, and graduate program you are applying to or are enrolled in;
(b) a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
(c) evidence of the post-bachelor’s CFLE credential (full certification) with the date CFLE was awarded (e.g., letter or document from the National Council on Family Relations)
For Route 2, prepare a document that includes the following and email it to the PLA contact noted on this page:
(a) your name, WIN #, and graduate program you are applying to or are enrolled in;
(b) a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
(c) evidence of CCLS credential and date CCLS was awarded, and verification of current status as a CCLS (e.g., letter or document from the Association of Child Life Professionals)
(d) evidence of completing a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience working as a CCLS
For route 3, students must enroll in a non-credit Portfolio Development Course (offered by WMU), and upon completion of this course, submit their detailed portfolio. The portfolio shall provide evidence of their prior learning, demonstrating acquisition of the learning outcomes established for one or more courses:
Such PLA Review Applications and associated evidence may be submitted at any time during an academic year. Applications will typically be reviewed by two WFED faculty members within a 30-day time period during the academic year semesters, and a 45-day time period during the summer semesters.
All decisions on any credits awarded will be made by FSHD faculty based on evidence provided by the applicant of prior learning.
Any credits awarded will not be placed on a student’s transcript until the student is admitted to a specific graduate degree or certificate program. All such credits will be posted on transcript as “credit earned by PLA examination”, without a letter grade and are not counted in the grade point average. Such credits can be used to meet all other University graduation requirements (such as minimum number of credits completed at WMU for a given degree).