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Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Note 1: The following PLAR opportunities apply to Bachelor of Physical Education & Coaching students only. Unfortunately, the PLAR policy below does not apply to part-time, university transfer, or SPSC Diploma students.
Note 2: BPEC students can only PLAR up to 50% of their required BPEC Fieldwork courses. Also, students are only eligible to PLAR the Fieldwork courses prior to your BPEC Year acceptance into the degree. For example: accepted into 2nd year BPEC, therefore eligible to PLAR 1st Year BPEC Fieldwork courses only (SPSC 1100 and 1200).
INTRODUCTION:
The Douglas College Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a one-stop-shop for students interested in earning college credit through recognition of previous experience. We know that significant adult learning occurs in the workplace and through other activities such as volunteer and community service. As a result, many adults accumulate learning that may be equivalent to college credit.
BPEC PLAR IN SPORT SCIENCE:
The BPEC Fieldwork PLAR Process is that of `Documentation of Evidence of Learning'. In BPEC, PLAR consists of each applicant completing a self-directed package reflecting and documenting the learning within their previous experiences (Portfolio-Assisted Assessment). A portfolio is a personal self-profile, it contains information about the skills, knowledge and abilities that the applicant has developed over time in many contexts; and how the applicant has applied them in practice.
The Sport Science Department supplies the student applicant with a BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET which outlines the required criteria within each course. The student applicant creates a comprehensive portfolio of their prior learning by completing the BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET. Within the BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET student applicants must present `evidence of learning' in the BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET that clearly the matches the skills and knowledge of the specific courses applying for.
ASSESSMENT OF PLAR APPLICATIONS:
SPSC faculty will assess all BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLETS. In assessing the student's request for credit, they will use the same academic criteria and standards that they would normally use with students in a fieldwork course setting (i.e.: SPSC 1100).
Academic credit will be granted to students if all criteria are met and their prior learning is equivalent to what is normally taught in the course applied for. However, if there is insufficient evidence to adequately document learning or to link learning to the outcomes of a college course, no credit will be granted. Successful student applicants will receive a MAS (mastery) on their college transcript, with the required PLAR notation included.
PLAR COSTS:
PLAR Assessment fees are as follows:
- 1000/2000 Level 1 credit = $86.90
- 3000/4000 Level 1 credit = $104.00
Note: Payment is due upon submission of completed BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET to the Sport Science Department Office 1300F NW.
PLAR Credit Limitations FOR BPEC:
1. Sport Science Department will only accept BPEC Fieldwork PLAR applications from students who are enrolled in the BPEC Degree and are 2nd or 3rd year students (in the 2007-2008 academic year).
2. BPEC Degree students are permitted to earn no more than 50% of their fieldwork credits by the PLAR process (4 of the 8 Fieldwork courses).
3. PLAR experiences must fulfil the required BPEC Degree Fieldwork environments:
- Students in the BPEC Elementary Option - 4 Physical Education, 2 Classroom and 2 Coaching
- Students in the BPEC Secondary Option - 4 Physical Education, 2 Biology/Science and 2 Coaching
- Students in the BPEC Elementary or Secondary Option with Coaching "specialty" - 3 Physical Education, 4 Coaching, 1 Classroom
Note: students not meeting this limitation will be evaluated on an individual case by case basis.
SPSC PLAR APPLICATION AND COMPLETION PROCESS:
1. Students can download the Curriculum Guidelines (downloadble pdf version directly below) for the Fieldwork course(s) you wish to acquire through the BPEC PLAR process to ensure the course content and expected outcomes closely resemble your prior learning:
SPSC 1100 (pdf)
SPSC 1200 (pdf)
SPSC 2100 (pdf)
SPSC 2200 (pdf)
2. If you need consultation or advising before or during the PLAR process contact Gord Sturrock by phone 604-527-5693 or email sturrockg@douglascollege.ca. See PLAR Resource Manual (downloadable pdf version).
3. Pick up and complete a `Request for Credit Form' from the Sport Science Department, Office 1300F NW. Once complete, submit it back to Office 1300F NW for Faculty signature.
Note: multiple credit requests are allowed on the same `Request for Credit Form', i.e.: 4 courses on one form.
4. Pick up the signed `Request for Credit Form' from SPSC Department, Office 1300F NW and take to the Cashiers Office (Office 2786 NW) and pay the required PLAR Assessment fees.
5. Download the BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET (downloadable pdf version below) corresponding to the course you want to PLAR. Please read the Resource Pages (downloadable pdf version below) to assist you in completing each booklet accurately.
Note: Only one application form is required when applying for one or more fieldwork courses.
SPSC 1100 Evidence Booklet (pdf); SPSC 1100 Resource Pages (pdf)
SPSC 1200 Evidence Booklet (pdf); SPSC 1200 Resource Pages (pdf)
SPSC 2100 Evidence Booklet (pdf); SPSC 2100 Resource Pages (pdf)
SPSC 2200 Evidence Booklet (pdf); SPSC 2200 Resource Pages (pdf)
Note: students requesting PLAR credit for SPSC 1100 will complete BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET SPSC 1100.
Only one application form is required when applying for one or more fieldworks courses.
6. Have the required BPEC PLAR Reference Letter (downloadable pdf version below) corresponding to the course you want to PLAR, completed by a referee of your choice:
SPSC 1100 PLAR Reference Form (pdf)
SPSC 1200 PLAR Reference Form (pdf)
SPSC 2100 PLAR Reference Form (pdf)
SPSC 2200 PLAR Reference Form (pdf)
- the person that you ask to complete this Reference Letter should be a person who observed you during your teaching/coaching duties, so they can complete the evaluation of your professional skills/abilities and verify your contact hours with participants.
- if applicable, the same reference letter may be submitted for more than one PLAR application
- the Reference Letter should be mailed to Douglas College Sport Science Department, at the address on the bottom of the letter, or can be dropped off to the SPSC Department Office 1300F NW, in a sealed envelope.
7. Final Submission: Submit all BPEC PLAR Application paperwork to the Sport Science Department Office 1300F NW including:
- Completed and signed `Request for Credit Form? , imprinted by the Cashiers Office, verifying payment
- Completed BPEC FIELDWORK PLAR BOOKLET(S)
- BPEC PLAR Reference Letter(s) mailed or submitted with application in a sealed envelope
- Upon completion of PLAR SPSC Assessment, credits/grades will be entered on student?s official transcript within 6 weeks.
SPSC PLAR contact information:
Gord Sturrock - BPEC Fieldwork Faculty Supervisor
Office: 1331 NW
Phone: 604-527-5693
Fax: 604-527-5032
Email: sturrockg@douglascollege.ca
Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/sportscience
Winnie McKitrick - BPEC Fieldwork Placement Coordinator
Office: 1300F NW
Phone: 604-527-5817
Fax: 604-527-5032
Email: mckitrw@douglascollege.ca
Website: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/sportscience
Alison Gill - BPEC Fieldwork Faculty Supervisor
Currently on Leave 2010-2011
