• Resume
• Transcripts
• Evidence of awards
• Documentation of leadership experience (eg. Certificates achieved)
• Promotional materials you designed or links to websites you have created
• Evidence from volunteer, internship and/or paid experiences relevant to other experiences
• Licenses or certifications obtained
• Letters of recommendation from employers and/or teachers (current or former)

Applications must be submitted within the first term of study, and any approved credits will be applied within the first 30 credits of your program. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered, as sufficient time is required to complete the assessment process and ensure compliance with program requirements.

All applicants requesting course recognition through the RPL process must complete the online request form. You will then be contacted by the Advisor to review the process, discuss eligibility, and determine whether additional documentation is required. 

If you have already received transfer credits based on previous studies (eg. certificates, diplomas, or degrees), you are not eligible for Prior Learning credits. Prior learning credits are intended for students who have not completed any traditional accredited post-secondary education. 

Students who are not eligible to receive transfer credits from Private Career Colleges and Colleges that are not accredited under the Ministry of Colleges and Universities may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. Prior Learning recognition is based on knowledge and skills gained through non-traditional learning, such work-place experience, professional training, or other learning opportunities. 

Assessments are primarily based on portfolios, interviews, and skill demonstrations in order to best ensure that claimed learning is valid, sufficient, relevant, and current to academic and professional standards.

A $200 assessment fee will be charged for all applicants who request a RPL assessment. The maximum number of credits that may be awarded under the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy is 15 credits (one academic term). Typically, these credits will be assigned at the first year (non-equivalent) level.

The Advisor will continue to provide guidance and support throughout the information gathering process.  Once the required documentation and online application have been submitted, the Advisor will work with the Assessors to proceed with the assessment.

The Process:

1. Applicants must submit the Recognition of Prior Learning application form with all required supporting documentation.
2. The Advisor will meet with the Assessor(s) and Faculty when needed to review potential course recognition credits and consult with Academic departments if necessary.
3. The applicant will receive in writing the decision from the Advisor
4. If course recognition is granted, the Advisor will update the student record and issue a Statement of RPL credits awarded
5. All decisions regarding Recognition of Prior Learning credits are final. 

RPL services will be provided by:

• Advisor:  Transfer and Pathways Specialist 
• Assessors:  are the Transfer and Pathways Specialist (Advisor), Associate Registrar, Advising and Enrolment Services, Associate Registrar, Admissions, and the Academic Regulations and Petitions Committee (ARP)

Credits awarded towards an Algoma University degree will appear on the official academic transcript as non-equivalent transfer credits, or in exceptional cases, as direct credit, based on the evaluation of the documentation provided.  Courses where transfer credit has been awarded will be recorded by special notation on the official transcript. 

Credits awarded through the RPL process are exclusive to Algoma University. Students wishing to transfer RPL credits to another university should consult with the Institution’s transfer credit policy to determine eligibility.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the criteria and standards for the assessment and recognition of prior learning (RPL) to ensure that credit is awarded only when the learning achieved is equivalent in quality, depth, and relevance to formal academic coursework or approved industry standards.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all applicants seeking academic credit toward a program of study through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. It applies to both formal and informal learning gained through work experience, professional training, self-directed study, military service, or other non-traditional methods.

3. Guiding Principles (VARCS)

All assessments of prior learning must meet the following five core criteria, summarized by the acronym VARCS:

Criteria	Definition
Valid	Evidence must directly relate to the stated learning outcomes or competencies being assessed.
Authentic	The learning and supporting evidence must be demonstrably the applicant’s own work.
Reliable  Consistent	Assessment decisions must be consistent and reproducible; similar evidence assessed by different evaluators should result in the same outcome.
Current	Learning must reflect up-to-date knowledge and skills relevant to current academic or industry standards.
Sufficient	Evidence provided must be comprehensive enough to cover all required learning outcomes at the appropriate depth.

 

4. Key Assessment Criteria

In applying the VARCS principles above, assessors will evaluate the following:

1. Alignment with Learning Outcomes
   • Evidence must clearly demonstrate that the applicant has achieved the learning outcomes of the course, module, or credential for which credit is sought.
2. Evidence of Learning (Not Just Experience)
   • Credit is granted for learning demonstrated, not merely time spent in a role or activity. Applicants must show what they know and can do as a result of their experience.
3. Substantiated Claims
   • All claims must be supported by verifiable documentation (e.g., work samples, employer letters, performance evaluations, certifications, portfolios, project reports).
4. Academic Level and Rigor
   • The depth, complexity, and academic level of learning must be equivalent to post-secondary standards relevant to the program.
5. Balance of Theory and Practice
   • Evidence must demonstrate both conceptual/theoretical understanding and applied/practical competence where required by the course.
6. Currency of Knowledge
   • Evidence must reflect current practice, particularly in rapidly evolving fields (e.g., technology, health sciences).
7. Communication and Reflective Ability
   • Applicants must be able to clearly articulate and reflect on their learning, typically through a written narrative, interview, or challenge assessment.

5. Forms of Assessment

Assessment may include, but is not limited to:

• Portfolio review
• Practical assessment
• Structured interview or oral examination
• Third-party validation (e.g., employer verification, licenses, certificates)

6. Responsibilities

Role	Responsibility
Applicant	Submits a complete application with evidence of learning.
Assessor / Faculty Reviewer	Evaluates submitted evidence according to VARCS criteria and program learning outcomes.
Academic Unit / Program Chair	Approves final credit recommendations and ensures policy compliance.
Registrar’s Office	Records approved credits on the student’s transcript.

7. Credit Award and Limitations

• Credit awarded through RPL is treated as transfer credit and does not carry a grade.
• Credits may not exceed the maximum percentage allowed for the program (as per institutional academic regulations).

8. Appeals

Applicants may not appeal an assessment as decisions are final.

9. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed every five years if required by regulatory or accreditation bodies.