Some students may qualify to earn college credit for prior learning through Lehman’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process. “Prior learning” refers to learning of an academic nature that has taken place outside a traditional classroom and can come from a range of experiences including current and prior employment, volunteer activities, military service, acquired licenses and certifications, and more.

Earning college credit for prior learning is based on your ability to demonstrate college-level learning in specific areas of expertise by completing a portfolio that documents your learning. ADP offers a three-credit course that teaches students how to prepare the portfolio. At the end of the course, the portfolio is evaluated by a pre-determined academic department at Lehman (based on the learning described in the portfolio) who will determine a credit award of 0 to 15.

Credits awarded for prior learning count as elective and transfer credits and do not count toward Lehman College residency requirements. In order to enroll in IBA 360, ADP students must have completed 60 credits (at least 12 credits at Lehman), and have permission from the ADP Director.

Another possible avenue for earning college credit is by successfully completing a CLEP subject exam. CLEP exams are third-party subject tests that offer college credit for taking and passing exams. Subjects include world languages, American government, math and sciences, and more. So if you are proficient in a second language or consider yourself a whiz in biology or government, CLEP exams may be a good option. ADP advisors can help you decide.