2.0 PLAR vs Credit Transfer

Learning gained from life and work experience such as on-the-job-training, military service, community-based volunteer activities, exposure to Indigenous knowledge systems, and self-directed study.

Learning gained from formal education completed through a recognized post-secondary institution, such as a college or university.

Courses from another Fanshawe program may be eligible for Internal Credit. To learn more, visit Transfer Within Fanshawe | Fanshawe College

Courses from another recognized college or university may be eligible for External Credit. To learn more, visit: Transfer to Fanshawe | Fanshawe College

Completion of one or more of the following assessment methods:

Challenge Evaluation: a faculty member will measure your learning against course or program learning outcomes through one or more of the following methods: written exam, oral presentation, interview, skills demonstration, etc.

Portfolio: a collection of materials you organize and develop to demonstrate how you applied the knowledge and skills described in the course or program learning outcomes.

See more details about portfolio and challenge evaluation.

Submission of one or more of the following documents:
Student transcript: official record of the post-secondary credit courses that you have successfully completed.
Course outline(s): document of essential course information for each of the course(s) you previously completed and are seeking credit for.

Same as the minimum passing grade of the course for which you are attempting to receive PLAR recognition.

Internal Credit: A minimum passing grade must be achieved.

External Credit: A minimum grade of 60% or C must be achieved.

Some courses or programs may have exceptions to the minimum grade as defined in Policy A112: Course Grade System.

You do not need to be enrolled in a Fanshawe college program in order to apply for PLAR.

You need to be enrolled in a Fanshawe College program in order to apply for Internal or External Credit.

You are strongly encouraged to apply prior to enrolling in the course in order to ensure appropriate lead time for your PLAR assessment to be completed or the Credit Transfer to be evaluated.

If you are already enrolled in the course, the PLAR and Credit Transfer application deadline is the 10th day of class. NOTE: If applying for PLAR, you should continue to attend class until you receive a successful PLAR outcome in order to ensure the course requirement is met.

Non-refundable PLAR fee is applied.

No fee to apply for Internal or External Credit at Fanshawe.

All college programs except for bachelor’s degrees: You can receive credit for up to 75% of a college program through PLAR and/or Transfer Credit, depending on the nature and extent of your learning and how well your knowledge and skills match the course learning outcomes of the courses in the program. You must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of 25% of the program credit units at Fanshawe to meet the College Residency Requirement in accordance with Policy A112: Course Grade System.

Bachelor’s degree programs: Degree programs are subject to the requirements established by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). Current PEQAB requirements, as of June, 2022, indicate institutions cannot grant PLAR credit for more than 50% of the total number of the credits of the four-year program. Transfer credits for previous formal postsecondary education may amount to more than 50% of the degree program (PEQAB, 2019, p. 26 & note 13). Per Fanshawe’s Policy A112: Course Grade System, you must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of 25% of the program credit units at Fanshawe to meet the College Residency Requirement.

To find the Residency Requirement for your program, find your Fanshawe program page, once on the program page, scroll down to the Courses section, then click on View all courses and scroll down to Program Residency.

Credits awarded through PLAR are usually recorded on your transcript in the same way that credits are normally recorded for each course and are used in the Cumulative GPA calculation.

Where it is not possible to use the normal grading system, a “P” (pass) is used. When a “P” is recorded on the transcript, it does not contribute to the GPA calculation. Note that some professional organizations, universities, and other institutions may not accept the “P” grade.

Unsuccessful PLAR attempts are not recorded on a transcript and do not count in the GPA calculation.

Internal Credits and External Credits are not used in the cumulative GPA calculation.

If your course load drops below that of a full-time student because of credits earned through PLAR, Internal or External Credit, your eligibility for financial assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) might be affected. For questions about OSAP eligibility, contact Financial Aid and Student Awards.

International Students: credits earned through PLAR, Internal or External Credit may impact your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility and/or the length of its validity if the credits:

• shorten the length of your program of study
• create a gap (i.e., a non-registered term) in the middle of your program
• and/or reduce your course load to part-time registration